A Modular and Extensible Network Storage Architecture

This 1995 book defined a multi-service storage architecture that could meet the needs of applications and support multiple file abstractions.

Sai Lai Lo (Author)

9780521349468, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 30 June 2011

154 pages
24.4 x 17 x 0.8 cm, 0.26 kg

"The dissertation puts together many good ideas, describes the building of a prototype MSSA, and can be a useful source of ideas for further thinking in this area. It could be suitable reading in a doctoral program." William patterson, Computing Reviews

This book was originally published in 1995. At the time of publication, distributed file systems were monolithic and only supported single file abstractions. Network storage devices needed to be able to accommodate emerging information media such as digital audio and video, with data radically different in characteristics to traditional text and binary that file systems were optimised for. By combining emerging and traditional media, information could be recorded and presented in the most suitable way, and the value of a piece of information could be further enhanced by linking together related pieces. However composite data and cross-reference between data items raised a number of system issues that had not been addressed properly before. In this book Dr Lo defined a multi-service storage architecture that could meet the needs of existing and emerging applications and support multiple file abstractions. He also explored a number of related design issues.

Preface
Glossary
1. Introduction
2. Background
3. Architectural framework
4. Access control
5. Naming and related issues
6. The design of a byte segment custode
7. The performance of the BSC
8. Rate-based sessions: concepts and interface
9. Rate-based sessions: prototype implementation and evaluation
10. Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Computer networking & communications [UT], Computer hardware [UK]