Quantum Corporation
File system with multi-class in situ tiered archiving

Abstract:

Example apparatus and methods provide a file system that stores files in multiple different logical units. The logical units are associated with different classes of devices. The file system interacts with the logical units through block-based interfaces. The file system is a single file system that spans the multiple logical units. The multiple different logical units include data storage devices for which the file system manages block storage allocation and an object storage system that manages its own block storage allocation rather than having the file system manage its block storage allocation. The file system may maintain a single namespace, hierarchy, or directory structure for the multiple logical units. The object storage system may protect files using redundant copies, erasure codes, or other approaches. An archive process may selectively move files from other devices to the object storage system and leave a symbolic link behind.