Abstract: Implementations are provided herein for establishing multi-protocol redirection links that are associated with an object, a file, a set of files, directories, etc. The multi-protocol redirection link can transparently redirect a client to a different part of the namespace or even to a different storage cluster to access data. For example, using multi-protocol redirection links, a single namespace in a cluster of nodes can be scaled up with multiple secondary storage clusters being the eventual redirect path. A multi-protocol redirection table can be established as a basis for the multi-protocol redirection link. The file system can be aware of discriminative information associated the client, for example, the network protocol the client is using, the access zone the client is connecting to, user identification of the client, group identification of the client, geography of the client, etc.

Abstract: Implementations are provided herein for dynamic ephemeral point-in-time snapshots being taken upon read requests from clients associated with object protocols and/or other protocols that depend on a consistent read. In response to receiving a read request from a protocol that depends on a consistent read, a point-in-time snapshot can be taken on the read target that maintains the durability of the point-in-time snapshot, in memory, until the client no longer requires access to the file. It can be appreciated that prior to taking the snapshot, in contemporaneously with taking the snapshot, or after the snapshot is taken, a Network File System (“NFS”) client, a Sever Message Block (“SMB”) client, or other clients of network protocols that allow for modifications and overwrites of file data, can open and modify the file that is the basis of the point-in-time snapshot, without repercussion to the object protocol that is using the point-in-time snapshot version of the file for a consistent read view.

Abstract: Implementations are provided herein for a token to be generated on one node within the cluster of nodes, and then used on any of the nodes to authenticate future client requests that include the token. The basis of the token can be a set of name value pairs that include discriminative information related to the client's user name, access zones, token timestamp, etc. An additional name-value pair or set of pairs can included encryption salt for additional security. The set of name value pairs can then be encrypted, in one implementation, using Advanced Encryption Standard (“AES”) 256 bit key. Each node among the cluster of nodes can have access to the current encryption key. Thus, a single key, or in some implementations, past keys that are still valid, can be used to decrypt received tokens by any node among the cluster of nodes. Once decrypted, the name-value pairs of the decrypted token can be validated.