Single, Unified Namespace System Provides a Foundation for Robust Scalability
The BlueArc CNS structure breaks through:
- The low individual file size limitations of Windows, UNIX, Linux, or other software-based file servers and the performance barriers
- As needs increase, more pseudo-directories can be added and can be accessed immediately by the appropriate users
- Limits on capacity, number of file systems, and/or aggregate performance requirements
With BlueArc's virtual storage pool capabilities, CNS enables administrators to configure file systems to automatically grow as needed within pre-defined rules, eliminating downtime associated with storage provisioning
- End-user confusion, the need to rewrite applications, and spiraling
administrative overhead
- The end-user view of the file structure never changes as it dynamically scales to meet demands
Integral to the SilconFS architecture is the ability for an individual or clustered set of BlueArc servers to present a single, unified or “global” namespace to hosts. The BlueArc term for this capability is called Cluster Namespace (CNS).
A unified namespace across file systems enables global data access to data from any mount point. When data is requested from a host to a server in the cluster that does not own the file system in question, that server redirects the request to the appropriate server.
Simplified Storage Management That Scales to Petabytes
Beyond host redirection, the principal advantage of using CNS is simplified storage management at scale. CNS reduces the number of mount points and presents an abstraction view of the individual file systems to the end-user or application.
This allows storage administrators to leverage and view any file system within the cluster as a single directory with a hierarchical tree structure so any number storage tiers to appear as a single file system to hosts. Data is tiered automatically within a global or cluster namespace, making optimal use of all storage capital.
CNS also gives administrator enormous flexibility as they can match the type of storage to the classification of data on each tier, without requiring users or applications to know the physical location of the different file systems. Since all tiers appear as a single large file system, one can incorporation whichever storage technologies are best suited, scaling to petabytes. Administrators can also expand or change the underlying storage architecture without having to notify users or re-write applications. CNS simplifies client access and the confusion of dealing with many separate file systems. By simplifying management, one administrator can efficiently manage a petabyte of storage within just a few hours.
In real world deployments, CNS can be used to improve the client use and administration of file system data. In an entertainment environment, a CNS tree can be created containing different shot directories, each with an active working directory and an archive directory for previous revisions. Clients can see both file systems within the same folder structure, allowing them to easily move data between them.
In enterprise consolidation scenarios, CNS provides a centralized file server structure that breaks through many storage barriers that compromise scalability, storage efficiency and performance by enabling organizations to scale bigger and store smarter.
