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The Global Intelligent File System Framework _________________________________________________________________________Swansea University E-Theses The global intelligent file system framework. Gooch, Joanna How to cite: _________________________________________________________________________ Gooch, Joanna (2006) The global intelligent file system framework.. thesis, Swansea University. http://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa42337 Use policy: _________________________________________________________________________ This item is brought to you by Swansea University. Any person downloading material is agreeing to abide by the terms of the repository licence: copies of full text items may be used or reproduced in any format or medium, without prior permission for personal research or study, educational or non-commercial purposes only. The copyright for any work remains with the original author unless otherwise specified. The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holder. Permission for multiple reproductions should be obtained from the original author. Authors are personally responsible for adhering to copyright and publisher restrictions when uploading content to the repository. Please link to the metadata record in the Swansea University repository, Cronfa (link given in the citation reference above.) http://www.swansea.ac.uk/library/researchsupport/ris-support/ The Global Intelligent File System Framework Joanna Gooch BSc. (Wales) A thesis submitted to the University of Wales in candidature for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor Department of Computer Science University of Wales, Swansea September 2006 ProQuest Number: 10798045 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a com plete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. uest ProQuest 10798045 Published by ProQuest LLC(2018). Copyright of the Dissertation is held by the Author. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States C ode Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 Abstract Since its inception the Internet has grown rapidly in both size and importance in our everyday lives. The Internet today is the preliminary model of what is commonly called the global information infrastructure. However, at the moment this “infras­ tructure” is considered to be an addition to our computer, and is not an integrated part of a file system which is essentially a “local information infrastructure” of a computer. Advancements in the sizes of disks in computers, network bandwidth and the types of media available mean users now keep large amounts of files in their personal data storage spaces, with little or no additional support for the organisa­ tion, searching or sharing of this data. The hierarchical model of file system storage is no longer the most effective way of organising and categorising files and infor­ mation. Relying largely on the user, rather than the computer, being efficient and organised its inflexible nature renders it unsuitable for the meaningful coordination of an increasing bulk of divergent file types that users deal with on a daily basis. The work presented in this thesis describes a new paradigm for file storage, man­ agement and retrieval. Providing globally integrated document emplacement and administration, the GIFS (Global Intelligent File System) framework offers the nec­ essary architecture for transparently directing the storage, access, sharing, manipula­ tion, and security of files across interconnected computers. To address the discrep­ ancy between user actions and computer actions, GIFS provides each user with a “Virtual Secretary” to reduce the cognitive workload and remove the time-consuming task of information organisation from the user. The Secretary is supported by a knowledge base and a collection of intelligent agents, which are programs that man­ age and process the data collected, and work behind the scenes aiding gradual pro­ liferation of knowledge. The Virtual Secretary is responsible for providing fast and accurate assistance to aid users who wish to create, store, retrieve, share, secure and collaborate on their files. Through both system prototyping and performance simulation it is demonstrated that it is desirable as well as feasible to deploy a knowledge base in supporting an intelligent user interface that acts like a human assistant who handles paperwork, looks after filing, security and so on. This work provides the contribution of a new framework and architecture to the field of files systems and document management as well as focusing on reducing the burden placed upon users through everyday usage of computer systems. Such a framework has the potential to be evolved into a highly intelligent assistant to a user over a period of service and the introduction of additional agents, and provides the basis for advancements in file system and organisational technologies. LIBRARY ^ S W P ^ Summary Since its inception the Internet has grown rapidly in both size and importance in our everyday lives. The Internet today is the preliminary model of what is commonly called the global information infrastructure. However, at the moment this “infras­ tructure” is considered to be an addition to our computer, and is not an integrated part of a file system which is essentially a “local information infrastructure” of a computer. Advancements in the sizes of disks in computers, network bandwidth and the types of media available mean users now keep large amounts of files in their personal data storage spaces, with little or no additional support for the organisa­ tion, searching or sharing of this data. The hierarchical model of file system storage is no longer the most effective way of organising and categorising files and infor­ mation. Relying largely on the user, rather than the computer, being efficient and organised its inflexible nature renders it unsuitable for the meaningful coordination of an increasing bulk of divergent file types that users deal with on a daily basis. The work presented in this thesis describes a new paradigm for file storage, man­ agement and retrieval. Providing globally integrated document emplacement and administration, the GIFS (Global Intelligent File System) framework offers the nec­ essary architecture for transparently directing the storage, access, sharing, manipula­ tion, and security of files across interconnected computers. To address the discrep­ ancy between user actions and computer actions, GIFS provides each user with a “Virtual Secretary” to reduce the cognitive workload and remove the time-consuming task of information organisation from the user. The Secretary is supported by a knowledge base and a collection of intelligent agents, which are programs that man­ age and process the data collected, and work behind the scenes aiding gradual pro­ liferation of knowledge. The Virtual Secretary is responsible for providing fast and accurate assistance to aid users who wish to create, store, retrieve, share, secure and collaborate on their files. Through both system prototyping and performance simulation it is demonstrated that it is desirable as well as feasible to deploy a knowledge base in supporting an intelligent user interface that acts like a human assistant who handles paperwork, looks after filing, security and so on. This work provides the contribution of a new framework and architecture to the field of files systems and document management as well as focusing on reducing the burden placed upon users through everyday usage of computer systems. Such a framework has the potential to be evolved into a highly intelligent assistant to a user over a period of service and the introduction of additional agents, and provides the basis for advancements in file system and organisational technologies. Declaration This work has not been previously accepted in substance for any degree and is not being concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree. Signed .... (candidate) Date c o t.... Statement 1 This thesis is the result of my own investigations, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by footnotes giving explicit references. A bibliog­ raphy is appended. Signed ......... (candidate) Date ......... .(22.A..1 Statement 2 I hereby give my consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter-library loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed .......... ... (candidate) Date ......... Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge the help of many people during my academic career at Swansea. To my supervisor, Professor Min Chen for his guidance and also Dr Phil Grant for his role as my second supervisor. Although not directly in a supervisory role, my gratitude goes to Professor Faron Moller for his support and witty reparte and letting me sit in the big comfy chair. Any thesis acknowledgment would not be complete without a mention of those peo­ ple who were initially responsible for my progress, development and bank balance. My parents have long tolerated having to tell people I’m a student, so I hope that this thesis not only makes them proud, but also gives them the relief of being able to tell people I’m a doctor and the knowledge that I love
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