Abstract: A storage system includes a plurality of storage servers that store a plurality of files, a monitor module, and a redirector module. The monitor module monitors usage information associated with the plurality of storage servers. The redirector module determines, based on the monitored usage information, a storage server in the plurality of storage servers to service a session from a client. The redirector module then instructs the client to establish the session with the determined storage server.

Abstract: A scalable clustered storage system includes a control node and a plurality of storage nodes. The control node stores object identifiers and location information associated with a plurality of files. The plurality of storage nodes stores the plurality of files. A storage node in the plurality of storage nodes receives a request for a file in a file system from a client. The storage node then communicates with the control node to determine an object identifier and location information associated with the file. The storage node accesses the file in the file system to service the request from the client using the object identifier and location information associated with the file.

Abstract: File system independent techniques and mechanisms for replicating files on multiple devices are provided, migrating files from one device to another (for purposes of reliability, increased bandwidth, load balancing, capacity expansion, or reduced cost), and propagating updates from a master copy to remote replicas. The mechanisms involve work queues and asynchronous file migration daemons that operate independently from and in parallel with the primary client-server and network protocol to on-disk storage data paths.

Abstract: File system independent techniques and mechanisms for replicating files on multiple devices are provided, migrating files from one device to another (for purposes of reliability, increased bandwidth, load balancing, capacity expansion, or reduced cost), and propagating updates from a master copy to remote replicas. The mechanisms involve work queues and asynchronous file migration daemons that operate independently from and in parallel with the primary client-server and network protocol to on-disk storage data paths.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanism are provided for deciding which storage device (or devices) a file should be stored on. These determinations can be used to guide either the placement of new files or the replication or migration of existing files to new storage volumes. These determinations may be made on the basis of simple rules, involving a small number of readily ascertainable file attributes.

Abstract: A storage system includes a plurality of storage servers that store a plurality of files, a monitor module, and a redirector module. The monitor module monitors usage information associated with the plurality of storage servers. The redirector module determines, based on the monitored usage information, a storage server in the plurality of storage servers to service a session from a client. The redirector module then instructs the client to establish the session with the determined storage server.

Abstract: A scalable clustered storage system includes a control node and a plurality of storage nodes. The control node stores object identifiers and location information associated with a plurality of files. The plurality of storage nodes stores the plurality of files. A storage node in the plurality of storage nodes receives a request for a file in a file system from a client. The storage node then communicates with the control node to determine an object identifier and location information associated with the file. The storage node accesses the file in the file system to service the request from the client using the object identifier and location information associated with the file.