Abstract: Described herein, system that facilitates replication of data in a geographically distributed storage environment. According to an embodiment, a system can comprise determining whether a data storage system is in an active data storage mode or a passive data storage mode. In active data storage mode, the data storage system can accept connections from an application, permit the application to store new data objects, replicate the new data objects to other data storage systems, and accept replicated data. In passive data storage mode, the data storage system can block storage of new data objects by the application while accepting replicated data.

Abstract: The described technology is generally directed towards reference tracking garbage collection, including for operating in a geographically distributed storage system. Content Addressed Storage (CAS) data objects comprising BLOBs (Binary Large Objects) are referenced by data objects comprising C-Clip Descriptor Files (CDFs). BLOBs having no remaining reference, referred to as orphan BLOBs, are deleted in a two-stage deletion operation that ensures that no new reference has been created. An alive BLOB that became an orphan is demoted to a garbage collection candidate with limited access to the BLOB. The BLOB is only deleted if the garbage collection candidate status of the BLOB is distributed across geographically distributed zones, and there is no new reference to the BLOB.

Abstract: A computer-executable method, computer program product and system for managing metadata in a distributed data storage system, wherein the distributed data storage system includes a first node and one or more data storage arrays, the computer-executable method, computer program product and system comprising partitioning management of metadata created in the distributed data storage system into one or more portions of metadata, wherein the first node manages a first portion of the one or more portions of metadata, and storing the metadata using the first node.