Data is crucial for businesses, no matter their size. The ability to store data anywhere and access it anytime is a powerful promise. That’s where global file systems (GFS) come in. They break the traditional link between physical storage, applications, and users by merging on-premise and cloud data into a hybrid storage solution.
With a GFS, users and applications view files as if they’re all in one location, even though the data might be spread across different physical sites. Let’s explore how GFS accomplishes this and what forms it can take.
Many larger organizations deal with multiple data stores and various file systems, creating data silos that complicate sharing and transferring information. Add cloud storage into the mix, and it gets even trickier. Transitioning to a GFS helps businesses leverage cloud capabilities and hybrid storage effectively. Most GFS solutions build on object storage, which employs a global namespace. This approach allows data to appear consolidated, even when it’s distributed across many locations. Major cloud providers fuel the growth of object storage because it meets their need for large-scale operations across many data centers. GFS takes this a step further, letting businesses spread their data across local storage and public cloud resources.
A GFS works by using a global namespace to gather storage from different places. Instead of the traditional hierarchical directory structure, object storage employs a flat structure where each object has a unique identifier. This design makes it easier to manage massive volumes of data. However, most applications can’t access object storage directly. A global file system solves this issue by connecting its file service—typically in the cloud—to local hardware or a virtual application on the user’s network. This hardware or virtual machine serves as a cache and ensures compatibility with applications, while the data stays within a single namespace, accommodating storage across cloud, private clouds, and local data centers.
A GFS also includes file locking features, which prevent multiple users from writing to the same file simultaneously, avoiding data errors. Object storage lacks this feature, so GFS providers incorporate it to meet application standards. They often offer additional services based on their market position, such as migration tools to help businesses transition data from old network-attached storage (NAS) to a GFS, and support for various operating systems to ensure seamless storage access without needing to overhaul applications.
The most common scenarios for using a global file system involve the need to manage large amounts of unstructured data. A GFS is ideal for organizations wanting the advantages of a global namespace and cloud scalability but not ready to fully transition to object storage. It allows businesses to maintain control over data storage, including the option to keep some data on-premise, and ensures compatibility with existing systems.
Each GFS supplier offers unique solutions and has its own terminology. CTERA provides Edge for caching, CTERA Drive for endpoint devices, and VDI for virtual workspaces. They claim unlimited capacity, with device access available on multiple platforms like Windows, Mac, and mobile. Hammerspace combines cloud, data centers, and edge storage into a unified dataset, featuring data tiering, versioning, and antivirus. Nasuni’s UniFS serves as a foundation for its File Data Platform, providing local cached access and performance analytics. Panzura’s CloudFS creates an optimized dataset for enterprises with direct support for mobile syncing to the cloud. Peer Software’s PeerGFS supports hybrid and multicloud environments, offering active-active sync and backup features. Qumulo focuses on high-performance applications with a software-defined file system that spans on-premise and cloud storage.