System for awarding token to client for accessing first data block specified in client request without interference due to contention from other client

A server computer system for managing shared files, said system comprising:

• a token manager comprising
• means for receiving a request for multiple blocks of data;
• and
• means, responsive to the request, for (a) awarding the token for a first data block specified in the request and (b) awarding tokens for all other consecutive blocks following said first block of said multiple blocks held by a client who also holds the token for said first block, except if another client currently holds a contending token for one of said consecutive blocks other than said first block but does not also hold the token for said first block, then awarding only the tokens for said first block and all blocks between said first block and said one block;
• and
• a file block manager which sends for read requests and receives for write requests all data blocks corresponding to the awarded tokens to the client which made the request.

A client/server computer system for managing shared files, said system comprising:

• a token manager comprising
• means for receiving a request for multiple blocks of data;
• and
• means, responsive to the request, for (a) awarding the token for a first data block specified in the request without interference due to contention for said first data block by a current owner of the token for said first data block;
• and (b) awarding tokens for all other consecutive blocks following said first block of said multiple blocks held by a client who also holds the token for said first block, except if another client currently holds a contending token for one of said consecutive blocks other than said first block but does not also hold the token for said first block, then awarding only the tokens for said first block and all blocks between said first block and said one block;
• and
• at least one client comprising:
• means for executing a client application that requests data from a shared file;
• a data buffer;
• means, pursuant to said request, for determining if said data is currently stored in said data buffer, and if so, granting said client access to said data in said buffer, and if not sending said request for multiple blocks of data, said multiple blocks of data including said data requested by said one client from said shared file.

A method for managing tokens in a computer system wherein data blocks are represented by respective tokens, and an award of a token to a client represents access by the client to the respective block, said manager comprising:

• receiving a request for at least one of multiple consecutive data blocks;
• and
• in response to the request,
• awarding the token for a first data block specified in the request,
• determining if another client currently holds a contending token for said first data blocks, and if so, identifying consecutive contending tokens held by said other client;
• and
• awarding tokens for other consecutive blocks following said first block of said multiple blocks held by said other client who also holds the token for said first block.