Experience with Disconnected Operation in a Mobile Computing Environment

Satyanarayanan, M., Kistler, J.J., Mummert, L.B., Ebling, M.R., Kumar, P., Lu, Q.

Abstract

In this paper we present qualitative and quantitative data on file access in a mobile computing environment. This information is based on actual usage experience with the Coda File System over a period of about two years. Our experience confirms the viability and effectiveness of disconnected operation. It also exposes certain deficiencies of the current implementation of Coda, and identifies new functionality that would enhance its usefulness for mobile computing. The paper concludes with a description of what we are doing to address these issues.