PRIMECLUSTER Global File Services Configuration and Administration Guide 4.2 (Solaris(TM) Operating Environment)

12.1 File System Overview

The GFS Shared File System is a shared file system that allows simultaneous access from multiple Solaris OE to which a shared disk device is connected. (A file system of this type is referred to as a shared file system. A file system such as UFS or GFS Local File System that will be used only within a node is referred to as a local file system.)

The GFS Shared File System is an optimum shared file system for business uses that are API-compatible with UFS or the GFS Local File System, and provides high reliability and high performance.

The GFS Shared File System maintains consistency of file data even with updating from multiple nodes, enabling data transfer by a distributed application with a conventional API when the application is executed on multiple nodes.

Also, continuous file operation on other nodes is assured even though one node fails, making the GFS Shared File System especially suitable for an environment that requires high availability of the file system.

The GFS Shared File System is available on the following system:

• 32-bit/64-bit of Solaris 8 OE
• 32-bit/64-bit of Solaris 9 OE

The GFS Shared File System has the following functions:

• Simultaneous shared access from multiple nodes to files or file systems
• Maintaining consistency for file data reference and updating from multiple nodes
• File access using a file cache on each node
• Continuous file operation on other nodes if one node fails while maintaining file system consistency
• High-speed file system recovery function
• High-speed I/O processing by contiguous block assignment to areas in a file
• Support of multi-volumes to implement I/O processing load distribution and large-capacity files
• Extension of file system size without rebuilding file system
• GUI-based file system operation using a Web browser

Like the UFS file system, the GFS Shared File System has the following major application interfaces:

• 64-bit file system interface
• direct I/O
• file lock
• quota function
• ACL

For the functions that are unavailable with the GFS Shared File System, see Section 12.10.2, "Unavailable functions."

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12.1.1 Basic hardware configuration for use of file system

12.1.2 File system sharing with PRIMEPOWER 800/900/1000/1500/2000 /2500