Data Distribution in A Data Processing System

Abstract

A first data item is split into one or more parts. A corresponding name is determined for each of the one or more parts, each part name being determined using a message digest function or hash function of all of the data in the corresponding part. A second file is created to include the part names of the one or more parts of the first data item. Each of the one or more parts is caused to be distributed to at least one location in a computer network. In response to a request for the first data item, the second file is provided. The name of the second file may be published as a name for the first data item. The network may be a peer-to-peer network.

1 . A computer-implemented method implemented at least in part by hardware in combination with software, the method comprising:
 splitting a first data item into one or more parts;   for each of the one or more parts of the first data item, determining a corresponding part name, each part name being determined using a message digest or hash function of all of the data in the corresponding part of the first data item;   creating a second file, said second file comprising the part names of the one or more parts of the first data item; and   causing each of the one or more parts to be distributed to at least one location in a computer network.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the network is a peer-to-peer network and wherein each of the one or more parts is distributed to multiple locations in the network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the message digest function comprises an SHA function. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 determining a name for the second file. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising:
 associating the name of the second file with the first data item. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 publishing the name of the second file as a name for the first data item. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the name for the second file is determined based, at least in part, on the part names of the one or more parts of the first data item. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second file contains only the part names of the one or more parts. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first data item comprises a sequence of bits representing at least one of: a file, a portion of a file, a digital message, a portion of a digital message, a digital image, a portion of a digital image, a video signal, a portion of a video signal, an audio signal, a portion of an audio signal, a software product, a portion of a software product, and an identifier of a data item. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 in response to a request for the first data item, providing the second file. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the request for the first data item comprises a name for the second file. 
     
     
         12 . Computer-readable media tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by at least one computer, the program comprising code to:
 split a first data item into one or more parts;   for each of the one or more parts of the first data item, determine a corresponding part name, each part name being determined using a message digest function or hash function of all of the data in the corresponding part of the first data item;   cause each of the one or more parts to be distributed to at least one location in a computer network; and   create a second file, said second file comprising the part names of the one or more parts of the first data item.   
     
     
         13 . Computer-readable media as in  claim 12 , the program further comprising code to:
 in response to a request for the first data item, provide the second file.   
     
     
         14 . Computer-readable media as in  claim 12 , wherein the message digest function comprises an SHA function. 
     
     
         15 . Computer-readable media as in  claim 12 , the program further comprising code to:
 determine a name for the second file; and   associate the name of the second file with the first data item.   
     
     
         16 . Computer-readable media as in  claim 13  wherein the request for the first data item comprises a name for the second file. 
     
     
         17 . Computer-readable media as in  claim 12 , wherein the network is a peer-to-peer network and wherein each of the one or more parts is distributed to multiple locations in the computer network. 
     
     
         18 . Computer-readable media as in  claim 12 , wherein the first data item comprises a sequence of bits representing at least one of: a file, a portion of a file, a digital message, a portion of a digital message, a digital image, a portion of a digital image, a video signal, a portion of a video signal, an audio signal, a portion of an audio signal, a software product, a portion of a software product, and an identifier of a data item. 
     
     
         19 . Computer-readable media as in  claim 15 , the program further comprising code to:
 publish the name of the second file as a name for the first data item.   
     
     
         20 . A device comprising hardware including at least one processor, and software, in combination with said hardware:
 to split a first data item into one or more parts;   for each of the one or more parts of the first data item, to determine a corresponding part name, each part name being determined using a message digest function or hash function of all of the data in the corresponding part of the first data item;   to cause each of the one or more parts to be distributed to at least one location in a computer network; and   to create a second file, said second file comprising the part names of the one or more parts of the first data item.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising software, in combination with said hardware:
 to, in response to a request for the first data item, provide the second file.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the message digest function comprises an SHA function. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising software, in combination with said hardware:
 to determine a name for the second file; and   to associate the name of the second file with the first data item.   
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the request for the first data item comprises a name for the second file. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the network is a peer-to-peer network and wherein each of the one or more parts is distributed to multiple locations in the computer network. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the first data item comprises a sequence of bits representing at least one of: a file, a portion of a file, a digital message, a portion of a digital message, a digital image, a portion of a digital image, a video signal, a portion of a video signal, an audio signal, a portion of an audio signal, a software product, a portion of a software product, and an identifier of a data item. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising software, in combination with said hardware:
 to publish a name of the second file as a name for the first data item.   
     
     
         28 . Computer-readable media tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by at least one computer, the program comprising code to:
 split a first data item into one or more parts based on a size of the first data item;   for each of the one or more parts of the first data item, determine a corresponding part name, each part name being determined using a message digest function or hash function of all of the data in the corresponding part of the first data item;   create a second file, said second file comprising the part names of the one or more parts of the first data item;   determine a name for the second file;   associate the name of the second file with the first data item;   cause each of the one or more parts to be distributed to at least one location in a computer network; and   publish the name of the second file.   
     
     
         29 . Computer-readable media as in  claim 28 , the program further comprising code to:
 in response to a request for the first data item, wherein the request for the first data item comprises the name of the second file, provide the second file.   
     
     
         30 . Computer-readable media as in  claim 28 , wherein the first data item comprises a sequence of bits representing at least one of: a file, a portion of a file, a digital message, a portion of a digital message, a digital image, a portion of a digital image, a video signal, a portion of a video signal, an audio signal, a portion of an audio signal, a software product, a portion of a software product, and an identifier of a data item.