A Modular and Extensible Network Storage Architecture

Contemporary distributed file systems are monolithic and only support single file abstractions. Nowadays, network storage devices have to be able to accommodate new information media such as digital audio and video, with data radically different in characteristics to traditional text and binary that contemporary file systems are optimised for. By combining new and traditional media, information can be recorded and presented in the most suitable way, and the value of a piece of information can be further enhanced by linking together related pieces. However composite data and cross-reference between data items raise a number of system issues that have not been addressed properly before. Dr Lo defines a new multi-service storage architecture that meets the needs of existing and emerging applications and can support multiple file abstractions. He also explores a number of related design issues.