Cluster file system with metadata server for controlling movement of data between storage tiers

摘要

A cluster file system comprises a metadata server coupled to a plurality of object storage servers via a network. The metadata server comprises a controller configured to implement storage tiering control functionality for at least first and second storage tiers comprising respective disjoint subsets of the plurality of object storage servers. The metadata server is thereby configured to control movement of data between the first and second storage tiers. The object storage servers in the first storage tier may be configured to interface with object storage targets of a first type and the object storage servers in the second storage tier may be configured to interface with object storage targets of a second type different than the first type. For example, the object storage targets of the first type may comprise non-volatile electronic storage devices such as flash storage devices, and the object storage targets of the second type may comprise disk storage devices.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a metadata server of a cluster file system; the metadata server being configured to communicate with a plurality of object storage servers of the cluster file system over a network, wherein the plurality of object storage servers comprise one or more first object storage servers in a first storage tier and one or more second object storage servers in a second storage tier, and wherein the first and second storage tiers comprise respective disjoint subsets of the plurality of object storage servers; wherein the first object storage servers are configured to interface with object storage targets of a first type and the second object storage servers are configured to interface with object storage targets of a second type different than the first type, wherein the object storage targets of the first type comprise respective non-volatile electronic storage devices, and wherein the first and second types of object storage targets provide respective different levels of performance; the metadata server further comprising a controller configured:
to receive application hint information via a remote procedure call interface from one or more applications running on a client of the cluster file system, wherein the application hint information indicates a desired level of performance for at least one data operation to be performed within the cluster file system;to implement storage tiering control functionality for at least the first and second storage tiers by generating at least one data migration request based at least in part on the application hint information; andto control movement of data between at least the first and second storage tiers in response to the at least one data migration request, wherein at least a portion of data to be utilized by the at least one data operation is moved to an object storage target having a type providing the desired level of performance; and the metadata server being implemented utilizing at least one processing device comprising a processor coupled to a memory.