HPSS terminology

Files (Bitfiles). Files in HPSS, called bitfiles in deference to IEEE Mass Storage Reference Model terminology, are logical strings of bytes, even though a particular bitfile may have a structure imposed by its owner. This unstructured view decouples HPSS from any particular file management system that host clients of HPSS might use. HPSS bitfile size is limited to 264-1bytes. Each bitfile is identified by a machine-generated name called a bitfile ID. A bitfile may also have a human readable name. It is the job of the HPSS Core Server (discussed in Section 2.3.2) to map a human readable name to a bitfile's ID.

Filesets. A fileset is a logical collection of files that can be managed as a single administrative unit, or more simply, a disjoint directory tree. A fileset has two identifiers: a human readable name and a numeric fileset ID. Both identifiers are unique to a given realm.

Junctions. A junction is a Core Server object, much like a symbolic link to a directory, that is used to point to a fileset. This fileset may belong to the same Core Server or to a different Core Server. When pointing to a different Core Server, junctions allow HPSS users to traverse to different subsystems.

File Families. HPSS files can be grouped into families. All files in a given family are recorded on a set of tapes assigned to the family. Only files from the given family are recorded on these tapes. HPSS supports grouping files on tape volumes only. A family can be selected at the time a file is created by supplying the appropriate family id as one of the create parameters. All files created in the fileset belong to the family. When one of these files is migrated from disk to tape, it is recorded on a tape with other files in the same family. If no tape virtual volume is associated with the family, a blank tape is reassigned from the default family. The family affiliation is preserved when tapes are repacked.

Physical Volumes. A physical volume is a unit of storage media on which HPSS stores data. The media can be removable (e.g., cartridge tape, optical disk) or non-removable (magnetic disk). Physical volumes may also be composite media, such as RAID disks, but must be represented by the host OS as a single device. Physical volumes are not visible to the end user. The end user stores bitfiles into a logically unlimited storage space. HPSS, however, must implement this storage on a variety of types and quantities of physical volumes.

Virtual Volumes. A virtual volume is used by the Core Server to provide a logical abstraction or mapping of physical volumes. A virtual volume may include one or more physical volumes. Striping of storage media is accomplished by the Core Servers by collecting more than one physical volume into a single virtual volume. A virtual volume is primarily used inside of HPSS, thus hidden from the user, but its existence benefits the user by making the user’s data independent of device characteristics. Virtual volumes are organized as strings of bytes up to 264-1 bytes in length that can be addressed by an offset into the virtual volume.

Storage Segments. A storage segment is an abstract storage object which is mapped onto a virtual volume. Each storage segment is associated with a storage class (defined below) and has a certain measure of location transparency. The Core Server uses both disk and tape storage segments as its primary method of obtaining and accessing HPSS storage resources. Mappings of storage segments onto virtual volumes are maintained by the HPSS Core Servers.

Storage Maps. A storage map is a data structure used by the Core Server to manage the allocation of storage space on virtual volumes.

Storage Classes. A storage class defines a set of characteristics and usage parameters to be associated with a particular grouping of HPSS virtual volumes. Each virtual volume and its associated physical volumes belong to a single storage class in HPSS. Storage classes in turn are grouped to form storage hierarchies (see below). An HPSS storage class is used to logically group storage media to provide storage for HPSS files with specific intended usage, similar size and usage characteristics.

Storage Hierarchies. An HPSS storage hierarchy defines the storage classes on which files in that hierarchy are to be stored. A hierarchy consists of multiple levels of storage, with each level representing a different storage class. Files are moved up and down the hierarchy via migrate and stage operations based on usage patterns, storage availability, and site policies. For example, a storage hierarchy might consist of a fast disk, followed by a fast data transfer and medium storage capacity robot tape system, which in turn is followed by a large data storage capacity but relatively slow data transfer tape robot system. Files are placed on a particular level in the hierarchy depending upon the migration levels that are associated with each level in the hierarchy. Multiple copies are controlled by this mechanism. Also data can be placed at higher levels in the hierarchy by staging operations. The staging and migrating of data is shown in Figure 1: File Migration and Stage Operations.

Class of Service (COS). Each bitfile has an attribute called Class Of Service. The COS defines a set of parameters associated with operational and performance characteristics of a bitfile. The COS results in the bitfile being stored in a storage hierarchy suitable for its anticipated and actual size and usage characteristics. Figure 2: Class of Service/Hierarchy/Storage Class shows the relationship between COS, storage hierarchies, and storage classes.

User-defined Attributes (UDAs). User-defined Attributes in HPSS are client-created attributes containing additional metadata. UDAs can be associated with any namespace object. UDAs are represented internally as a well-formed XML document. The XML document size limit is 2GB. The maximum amount of data that can be returned at any one time is 512 bytes.

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