Local file access in distributed material testing systems

A material testing system, comprising:

• a material testing machine, comprising a test machine sensor, a test machine actuator, and a test machine controller configured to control the test machine actuator;
• a testing workstation configured to communicate with the test machine controller to conduct a test on the material testing machine, or analyze test results of the test, according to a test method set forth in a test file;
• a remote data repository storing a remote test file, the remote data repository being communicatively connected with the testing workstation through a communication network;
• a local data repository;
• and
• a local server comprising or in communication with the local data repository, the local server being in communication with the remote data repository through the communication network, the local server comprising server processing circuitry configured to:
• determine, based on file accessibility data, whether the remote test file should remain accessible when the testing workstation becomes disconnected from the communication network or the remote data repository,
• in response to determining the remote test file should remain accessible, store a local test file copy of the remote test file in the local data repository,
• while the local server remains in communication with the remote data repository through the communication network, periodically update the local test file copy, or create a new version of the local test file copy, based on the remote test file, and
• in response to the testing workstation becoming disconnected from the communication network or the remote data repository, make the local test file copy available to the testing workstation to conduct the test with the material testing machine, or analyze the test results.

A method, comprising:

• determining, via server processing circuitry, and based on file accessibility data stored in a remote data repository or a local data repository, whether a remote test file should remain accessible to a testing workstation when the remote data repository, or a communication network connecting the testing workstation to the remote data repository, becomes inaccessible to the testing workstation;
• in response to determining the remote test file should remain accessible, storing a local test file copy of the remote test file in the local data repository via the server processing circuitry;
• while the remote data repository remains accessible to the testing workstation through the communication network, periodically updating the local test file copy based on the remote test file via the server processing circuitry;
• and
• in response to the remote data repository or the communication network becoming inaccessible to the testing workstation, making the local test file copy available to the testing workstation via the server processing circuitry.