Abstract: An illustrative method includes a storage system establishing a snapshot difference namespace within a directory of a file system, storing, within the snapshot difference namespace, snapshot difference data descriptive of differences between snapshots associated with the directory of the file system, and exposing the snapshot difference data within the namespace for client access via one or more file system access protocols. In some embodiments, a client global associated with the storage system accesses the snapshot difference data via the one or more file system access protocols, and accesses, based on the snapshot difference data, one or more files within the directory of the file system.

Abstract: A distributed storage system stores a storage volume as a primary replica and secondary replicas on one or more servers. Data is written in an append-only scheme and all write requests are completed for the primary and secondary replicas. Read requests are processed by the primary replicas. Compaction for the primary replica is performed only if no secondary replicas (or a minimum number) are being compacted and a server storing the primary replica is not currently compacting another replica. The primary replica is demoted to secondary prior to compaction and a secondary replica is promoted to primary. Compaction of the primary replica is also conditioned on bandwidth conditions being met on the server storing it. Secondary replicas are compacted only if no other secondary replicas are being compacted. Replicas are selected as eligible for compaction based on a number of updates to the replica meeting a threshold condition.