Home Networking as a Distributed File System view
Serge Defrance, Rémy Gendrot, Jean Le Roux, Gilles Straub, Thierry Tapie
Technicolor R&D, Rennes, France.
Distributed Storage, Rennes, September 2011
Outline
 The
 How
 The
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problem and our approach
to implement the proposed solution
potential benefits for user applications
Where our reflexion starts…

Heterogeneous home network environment
?
PCs
Tablets

3
Game
Consoles
NAS
TV sets
Organize the access to the content stored in or from the various
devices.
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A unique protocol


UPNP/DLNA, the most accomplished candidate

Zero configuration protocol

Targets unskilled users
Still evolving

Requires updates

May generate incompatibilities
NAS
PCs
Tablets
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Game
Consoles
TV sets
Our gateway-centric approach

Minimize software installation on devices

Central Equipment connected to each device

Always powered on

May be controlled by the ISP (or a “service” provider)

Move all software installation on the gateway

Use it as a protocol translator
NAS
PCs
Tablets
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Game
Consoles
TV sets
Organize a file system view

Take benefits of the VFS abstraction layer

A connected device appears as a folder in the tree structure of the
gateway

This choice ensures backward compatibility with the existing
applications

The challenge : automate VFS modules installation and setup
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The home network organizer

An automation software running on the gateway

Communication starts via http on user initiative
Gateway
http
communication
HTTP Server
Network
organizer
VFS
GdataFS
Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
http
communication
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Access to UPNP/DLNA devices

Zero configuration protocol solves the automation problem

A Fuse module to map under the VFS other UPNP/DLNA servers

Djmount
Gateway
HTTP Server
Network
organizer
VFS
…
…
DJMount
…
…
Upnp/Dlna servers
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Cloud storage systems

Experimented Dropbox and GdataFS for Youtube and Picassa

Automate the installation and configuration of the modules
Gateway
http
communication
HTTP Server
Network
organizer
VFS
GdataFS
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Dropbox client
DJMount
…
SMB/NFS devices

Collects information via http (user name, type of device, IP…)

Creates appropriate folders and associated exports…

…on the gateway and on the device via an appropriate script
Gateway
http
communication
HTTP Server
Network
organizer
VFS
GdataFS
Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
http
communication
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Tree structure
Gateway view
NetworkShares
Dropbox
User (Bob) PC view
OtherNetworks
NetworkShares
Dropbox
DJMount
DJMount
GdataFS
OtherShares
Jean
GdataFS
UsersShares
OtherShares
Jean
Serge
Serge
Bob
Bob
MyShare
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Benefits for the applications

Backward compatibility : distant storage appears as local.

Use of previous file manager or media player
Gateway
...
http
communication
HTTP Server
Indexation Network
Organizer
UPNP DLNA
Server
VFS
DLNA TV
GdataFS
Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
Local FS
SMB
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Enhanced navigation
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Enhanced navigation
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Enhanced navigation

Via a UPNP/DLNA media server on top of the VFS

Offers any VFS content to a UPNP/DLNA client

PS3 Media Server, MiniDlna
Gateway
...
http
communication
HTTP Server
Indexation Network
Organizer
or
miniDlna
VFS
DLNA TV
GdataFS
Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
http
communication
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Enhanced navigation
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Enhanced navigation
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Enhanced navigation
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Content indexation : DAM

Open source software.

Merge indexation and Network Organizer functions
Gateway
HTTP Server
DAM
(Indexation
+ NetworkOrganizer)
VFS
GdataFS
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Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
Unique interface : DAM
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Advanced remote control

Via a web browser

Same menu for all devices
http Control
Gateway
...
HTTP Server
DAM
Upnp Control Point
(Indexation
+ NetworkOrganizer)
Upnp Media Server
VFS
GdataFS
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Tablet
Dropbox client
UPnP Control
DLNA TV
DJMount
NFS
SMB
Home network content backup

Backup software runs on the gateway

Local or distant safe storage.
http Control
Gateway
HTTP Server
Back Up application
DAM
Upnp Control Point
(Indexation
+ NetworkOrganizer)
Upnp Media Server
VFS
GdataFS
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Tablet
Dropbox client
UPnP Control
DLNA TV
DLNA TV
DJMount
NFS
SMB
New Home storage architecture

High peer availability

Cloud/peer to peer/hybrid

Home systems may contribute to cloud storage capabilities
Storage in
the Cloud
50 % free space
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Conclusion

Unify the content access in the home network heterogeneous
environment

Automate the deployment of the Unix VFS

Network Organizer running on the gateway

Leveraging user experience


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Navigation, indexation, remote control, backup
Many open tracks

Home storage architecture

Data sharing

Security

…
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Technicolor Innov8 expo, June 21 – 23, 2011, London, UK.
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Acknoledgement

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This study was partially funded by the FIGARO (Future Internet
Gateway-based Architecture of Residential networks, FP7-ICT-258378)
collaborative project.
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Thank you !
serge.defrance@technicolor.com
Distributed Storage, Rennes, September 2011
SMB/ NFS devices : first Registration (1/2)

Collects information relative to the new comer

Creates appropriates folders and exports on the gateway and generates an
appropriate script for the client…..
User information
User information
Gateway
HTTP
Server
HTTP
Windows
HTTP
Linux
Lea Client
John Client
Make client script
and build folders
Network
Organizer
Share_dir
Lea_dir
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John_dir
SMB/ NFS devices : first Registration (2/2)

Proposes the appropriate script for execution to the new comer

Script, which creates appropriates folders and exports on the client (new
comer) .
Download client script
Download client batch
Gateway
HTTP
Server
HTTP
Windows
HTTP
Linux
Lea Client
John Client
Network
Organizer
Launch installation
and build folders!
Share_dir
OtherShares
Lea_dir
MyShares
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Launch installation
and build folders!
OtherShares
John_dir
MyShares
SMB / NFS Devices : then Connection (1/2)

Each time a user/device joins the home network

Activate the prepared mounts/exports
Gateway
Connect
Connect
HTTP
Server
HTTP
Windows
HTTP
Linux
Lea Client
John Client
Network
Organizer
Export and
mount folders
OtherShares
share
Lea_dir
MyShares
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Share_dir
export
OtherShares
John_dir
MyShares
SMB / NFS Devices : then Connection (2/2)

Disconnection (unmount) when leaving the home network

An absent device appears as disconnected (regular pings)
User disconnection request
or cable disconnection
Gateway
HTTP
Server
HTTP
Windows
HTTP
Linux
Lea Client
John Client
Network
Organizer
Umount folder and
rename it as disconnected
OtherShares
Share_dir
OtherShares
John_dir
MyShares
Lea_dir_disconnected
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MyShares
UPNP/DLNA devices
http Control
Gateway
HTTP Server
Back Up application
Upnp Control Point
DAM
(Indexation
+ NetworkOrganizer)
Upnp Media Server
VFS
GdataFS
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Tablet
Dropbox client
UPnP Control
DLNA TV
DJMount
NFS
SMB