File Time-out

The file time-out determines how often PC-CacheFS compares the modification time of the file on the source drive with the cached copy. The minimum and maximum time-out values establish a range. (The default range is between a 3-second minimum and a 60-second maximum.) PC-CacheFS selects a value within the range based on the amount of time that has passed since the file was modified. Recently modified files are checked for consistency more frequently than less-recently modified files.

Setting low time-out values increases file consistency at the expense of network traffic. Use higher time-out values for files that change infrequently or if you are accessing information using a slow network connection, such as a PPP dial-up connection.

If the file on the source drive changes infrequently, you can increase the file time-out to allow more time to pass between consistency checks. For example, you can increase the default file time-out maximum from 60 seconds to 75 seconds, and increase the minimum from 3 seconds to 5 seconds. An amount of time greater than 5 seconds but not more than 75 seconds will pass before PC-CacheFS makes a consistency check of the cache and the source drive. The additional time between consistency checks results in less network traffic and improved network performance.

If the file on the source drive changes frequently, you can ensure greater consistency between the file on the source drive and the copy in your cache by decreasing the default file time-out maximum from 60 seconds to 45 seconds and minimum from 3 seconds to 2 seconds. An amount of time greater than 2 seconds but not more than 45 seconds will pass before PC-CacheFS makes a file comparison between the source drive and your cache. Because comparisons and updates of cache and server information are more frequent, greater load is added to your network and you may notice more of a delay in retrieving information. In most situations, you do not need to decrease the file time-out minimum below the 3-second default.