1. 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

2. The problem and our approach How to implement the proposed solution
Outline
The problem and our approach
How to implement the proposed solution
The potential benefits for user applications
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3. Where our reflexion starts…
Heterogeneous home network environment
Organize the access to the content stored in or from the various devices. ?
NAS
PCs
Tablets
Game
Consoles
TV sets
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4. 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
Game
Consoles
TV sets
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5. 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
Game
Consoles
TV sets
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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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
Dropbox client
DJMount
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10. 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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11. Tree structure NetworkShares OtherNetworks OtherShares UsersShares
Gateway view
User (Bob) PC view
NetworkShares
OtherNetworks
Dropbox
NetworkShares
Dropbox
DJMount
DJMount
GdataFS
GdataFS
OtherShares
UsersShares
Jean
OtherShares
Jean
Serge
Serge
Bob
Bob
MyShare
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12. Benefits for the applications
Backward compatibility : distant storage appears as local.
Use of previous file manager or media player
Gateway
http communication
HTTP Server
Network Organizer
UPNP DLNA Server
Indexation
...
VFS
DLNA TV
GdataFS
Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
Local FS
SMB
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13. Enhanced navigation
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14. Enhanced navigation
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15. 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
Network Organizer or
Indexation
...
miniDlna
VFS
DLNA TV
GdataFS
Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
http communication
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16. Enhanced navigation
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17. Enhanced navigation
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18. Enhanced navigation
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19. Content indexation : DAM
Open source software.
Merge indexation and Network Organizer functions
Gateway
HTTP Server
DAM
(Indexation NetworkOrganizer)
VFS
GdataFS
Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
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20. Unique interface : DAM
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21. Advanced remote control
Via a web browser
Same menu for all devices
http Control
Tablet
Gateway
HTTP Server
DAM
Upnp Control Point
...
UPnP Control
(Indexation NetworkOrganizer)
Upnp Media Server
VFS
DLNA TV
GdataFS
Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
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22. Home network content backup
Backup software runs on the gateway
Local or distant safe storage.
http Control
Tablet
Gateway
HTTP Server
Back Up application
DAM
Upnp Control Point
UPnP Control
(Indexation NetworkOrganizer)
Upnp Media Server
VFS
DLNA TV
DLNA TV
GdataFS
Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
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23. 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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24. 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
Navigation, indexation, remote control, backup
Many open tracks
Home storage architecture
Data sharing
Security …
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25. Technicolor Innov8 expo, June 21 – 23, 2011, London, UK.
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26. Acknoledgement
This study was partially funded by the FIGARO (Future Internet Gateway-based Architecture of Residential networks, FP7-ICT ) collaborative project.
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27. Thank you ! serge.defrance@technicolor.com
Distributed Storage, Rennes, September 2011

28. 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
Gateway
User information
HTTP
Windows
HTTP
Server
HTTP
Linux
Lea Client
John Client
Network Organizer
Make client script
and build folders
Share_dir
Lea_dir
John_dir
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29. 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
Windows
HTTP
Server
HTTP
Linux
Lea Client
John Client
Launch installation
and build folders!
Network Organizer
Launch installation
and build folders!
Share_dir
OtherShares
OtherShares
Lea_dir
John_dir
MyShares
MyShares
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30. 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
Windows
HTTP
Server
HTTP
Linux
Lea Client
John Client
Network Organizer
Export and
mount folders
export
share
Share_dir
OtherShares
OtherShares
Lea_dir
John_dir
MyShares
MyShares
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31. 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
Windows
HTTP
Server
HTTP
Linux
Lea Client
John Client
Network Organizer
Umount folder and
rename it as disconnected
Share_dir
OtherShares
OtherShares
John_dir
MyShares
MyShares
Lea_dir_disconnected
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32. (Indexation + NetworkOrganizer)
UPNP/DLNA devices
http Control
Tablet
Gateway
HTTP Server
Back Up application
Upnp Control Point
DAM
UPnP Control
(Indexation NetworkOrganizer)
Upnp Media Server
VFS
DLNA TV
GdataFS
Dropbox client
DJMount
NFS
SMB
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