Multi Path File System
Encyclopedia
In computing MPFS - Multi Protocol File System is a multi-path network filesystem
technology developed by EMC. MPFS is intended to allow hundreds to thousands of client computer nodes to access shared computer data with higher performance than conventional NAS
file sharing protocols such as NFS.
, where the individual computing power of many systems is combined to perform a single process. Example uses include processing geological data, voice recognition datasets, and modal processing. Virtualized computing environments will also benefit from high performance shared storage.
or Fibre Channel
. Retrieving the data directly from the storage device increases performance by eliminating the file system and protocol overhead associated with NFS or CIFS.
, EMC VNX and Symmetrix.
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
technology developed by EMC. MPFS is intended to allow hundreds to thousands of client computer nodes to access shared computer data with higher performance than conventional NAS
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
file sharing protocols such as NFS.
Application
MPFS technology is intended for HPC (High Performance Computing) environments. In these environments many computer nodes require concurrent access to data sets. This technology can be used to store and access data for grid computingGrid computing
Grid computing is a term referring to the combination of computer resources from multiple administrative domains to reach a common goal. The grid can be thought of as a distributed system with non-interactive workloads that involve a large number of files...
, where the individual computing power of many systems is combined to perform a single process. Example uses include processing geological data, voice recognition datasets, and modal processing. Virtualized computing environments will also benefit from high performance shared storage.
Benefits
- MPFS provides a 3-4X performance increase over conventional NAS.
- No modifications to the client application need to be made to leverage this technology.
- Files can be shared between NAS clients with or without NFS simultaneously.
- NAS data can be accessed at speeds limited only by the storage device.
- Reduced file system and protocol overhead
How it works
MPFS consists of an agent on the client system and a compatible NAS storage system. The client agent splits the data and meta data for the file being requested. This is done using an FMP (File Mapping Protocol) Requests for the data and its location is sent over conventional NFS to the NAS system. Data is sent and retrieved directly from the storage device via iSCSIISCSI
In computing, iSCSI , is an abbreviation of Internet Small Computer System Interface, an Internet Protocol -based storage networking standard for linking data storage facilities. By carrying SCSI commands over IP networks, iSCSI is used to facilitate data transfers over intranets and to manage...
or Fibre Channel
Fibre Channel
Fibre Channel, or FC, is a gigabit-speed network technology primarily used for storage networking. Fibre Channel is standardized in the T11 Technical Committee of the InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards , an American National Standards Institute –accredited standards...
. Retrieving the data directly from the storage device increases performance by eliminating the file system and protocol overhead associated with NFS or CIFS.
Where it is from
The MPFS protocol was developed by EMC2 for use in NAS storage environments using EMC Celerra and back end storage environments using EMC CLARiiONCLARiiON
CLARiiON is a discontinued SAN disk array manufactured and sold by EMC Corporation, it occupies the entry-level and mid-range of EMC's SAN disk array products....
, EMC VNX and Symmetrix.