Infrastructure for supporting file replications

A system for a first infrastructure coupled to a first file server storing one or more volumes of files to support file replication among a plurality of second file servers connected by a network, each second file server coupled to a second infrastructure, the system comprising:

• a registration unit to register a replication module with the first infrastructure on the first file server for at least one of the volumes on the first file server;
• a message reception unit to receive notice of an activity on a volume on a second file server corresponding to the at least one of the volumes on the first file server, the notice received over the network from the replication module;
• and
• a processing unit to perform the activity on the first file server.

A method to support file replication to maintain consistency among files across at least a first and second file server connected by a network, the first file server coupled to a first infrastructure and storing one or more volumes of files and the second file server coupled to a second infrastructure, the method comprising:

• registering a first replication module with the first infrastructure on the first file server;
• and
• detecting an activity on the first file server with the first infrastructure that the first replication module watches;
• and
• submitting the activity from the first infrastructure to the first replication module;
• transmitting the activity across the network from the first replication module to a second replication module registered with the second infrastructure;
• giving notification from the second replication module to the second infrastructure at the second file server of an activity on the first file server over the network;
• and
• performing the activity by the second infrastructure on the second file server.

A system comprising:

• a first file replication infrastructure coupled to a first file server storing one or more volumes of files for supporting file replication among a plurality of second file servers connected by a network, each second file server coupled to a second infrastructure, wherein the first file replication infrastructure includes a computer-readable medium containing a program comprising:
• registration software to register a replication module with the first infrastructure on the first file server for at least one of the volumes on the first file server;
• and
• processing software to pass activities on the at least one of the volumes on the first file server to the replication module;
• and
• a replication module for registration with the first replication infrastructure on the first file server, wherein the replication module includes a computer-readable medium containing a program comprising:
• reception software to receive the activities from the first infrastructure;
• ranking software to rank the activities according to a plurality of criteria;
• ordering software to order the activities into an activity order for replication according to the activity rankings;
• and
• communications software to send the activities in the activity order to the second infrastructure coupled to one of the second file servers.

A method for using an infrastructure coupled to a first file server storing one or more volumes of files to support file replication among a plurality of second file servers connected by a network, each second file server coupled to a second infrastructure, the method comprising:

• registering a replication module with the first infrastructure on the first file server, including:
• receiving the replication module;
• receiving an identifier for at least one of the volumes on the first file server for which the replication module will operate;
• and
• binding the replication module to the at least one of the volumes;
• and processing changes on the first file server using the replication module.

A method for using an infrastructure coupled to a first file server storing one or more volumes of files to support file replication among a plurality of second file servers connected by a network, each second file server coupled to a second infrastructure, the method comprising:

• registering a replication module with the first infrastructure on the first file server;
• processing changes on the first file server using the replication module;
• and
• un-registering the replication module from the first infrastructure on the first file server, including unbinding the replication module from all volumes to which the replication module is bound.

A first infrastructure coupled to a first file server storing one or more volumes of files for supporting file replication among a plurality of second file servers connected by a network, each second file server coupled to a second infrastructure, the first infrastructure including a computer-readable medium containing a program comprising:

• registration software to register a replication module with the first infrastructure on the first file server, including:
• product identification software to receive the replication module;
• volume identification software to identify at least one of the volumes on the first file server for which the replication module will operate;
• and
• binding software to bind the replication module to the at least one of the volumes;
• and
• processing software to process changes to the first file server.

A system for a first infrastructure coupled to a first file server storing one or more volumes of files to support file replication among a plurality of second file servers connected by a network, each second file server coupled to a second infrastructure, the system comprising:

• a registration unit to register a replication module with the first infrastructure on the first file server, including:
• a product identification unit to receive the replication module;
• a volume identification unit to identify at least one of the volumes on the first file server for which the replication module will operate;
• and
• means for binding the replication module to the at least one of the volumes;
• a message reception unit to receive notice of an activity on a second file server over the network from the replication module;
• and
• a processing unit to perform the activity on the first file server.