Grid File System

A Grid File System is a computer file system whose goal is improved reliability and availability by taking advantage of many smaller file storage areas.
Components
Current file systems contain up to three components: -File Table (FAT table, MFT, etc.) -File Data -MetaData (user permissions, etc.)
A Grid File System would have similar needs: -File Table (or search index) -File Data -MetaData
Comparisons
Because current File Systems are designed to appear as a single disk for a single computer to manage (entirely), many new challenges arise in a grid scenario whereby any single disk within the grid should be capable of handling requests for any data contained in the grid.
Features
Most file storage utilizes layers of redundancy to achieve a high level of data protection (inability to lose data). Current means of redundancy include replication and parity checks. Such redundancy can be implemented via a RAID array (whereby...