Application of distributed shared memory to metadata storage in a parallel file system.

摘要

The ability to efficiently find, open and update files is key to high performance computing systems. Consequently, the file metadata, which are the information needed to open a file and locate its data, must also be efficiently managed. In parallel file systems an additional level of complexity stems from the possible scattering of metadata and client applications over a network of cluster nodes, making the metadata management a critical part of the file system. A novel approach to metadata management in a parallel file system is implemented in AMPVFS. AMPVFS is a new experimental parallel file system that uses hardware implemented distributed shared memory for metadata storage and distribution. AMPVFS is based on two existing products: the open source parallel file system PVFS, and a gigabit network AmpNet.