On the development of an adaptable distributed file system: servers availability

• Grant number: 12/24861-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2013
• End date: December 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computer Systems
• Principal Investigator: Renata Spolon Lobato
• Grantee: Thiago Kenji Okada
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências, Letras e Ciências Exatas (IBILCE). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José do Rio Preto. São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

A distributed file system (DFS) is a system where files are stored along with distinct computers, linked through a communication network. Even though several DFS are capable of attending several characteristics, such as access/location transparency, performance, scalability, concurrency control, fault-tolerance, and security, to attend them simultaneously is complex and difficult to manage. Another important aspect to consider is that when one character has its complexity increased, the remaining ones may be negatively affected. This explains why most of the DFS is developed aiming at fulfilling specific scenarios. Aiming at a system that fulfills several characteristics in the controlled scenario, this research project has as goal the specification of an architecture model and the implementation of a flexible and adaptable distributed file system that incorporates characteristics of transparency, scalability, fault tolerance, cryptography, low-cost hardware support and be ease to use the files. In the context of this project, we proposed an undergraduate research plan aiming at defining mechanisms to collect, store and summarize variables that will be used to create an availability index for primary file servers.(AU)