Mechanism for controlled sharing of files in a clustered application environment

A plurality of computers, comprising:

• a selected computer of the plurality of computers configured to maintain a file, and receive a first open request for the file sent by a first computer of the plurality of computers to the selected computer, the open request including a first token generated by a client application instance on the first computer;
• an operating system on the selected computer configured to open the file for the first computer in response to the open request;
• the first computer configured to distribute, by the client application instance, the first token to other client application instances within the plurality of computers, wherein each client application instance is an instance of a database management system;
• a second computer of the plurality of computers configured to send a second open request for the file to the selected computer, the open request including a second token;
• the operating system further configured to compare the first token with the second token;
• if the first token and the second token match, granting the open request, wherein the first token allows access by each client application instance within the plurality of computers that possesses the same first token;
• and
• if the first token and the second token do not match, not opening the file for the second computer.

A non-transitory computer readable media containing executable program instructions executed by a processor, comprising:

• program instructions that maintain a file on a selected computer of the plurality of computers;
• program instructions that send an open request for the file by a first computer of the plurality of computers to the selected computer, the open request including a first token generated by a client application instance on the first computer;
• program instructions that open the file for the first computer in response to the open request;
• program instructions that distribute the first token to other client application instances within the plurality of computers, wherein each client application instance is an instance of a database management system;
• program instructions that send an open request for the file by a second computer of the plurality of computers to the selected computer, the open request including a second token;
• program instructions that compare the first token with the second token;
• program instructions that grant the open request if the first token and the second token match, wherein the first token allows access by each client application instance within the plurality of computers that possesses the same first token;
• and
• program instructions that do not open the file for the second computer if the first token and the second token do not match.