Versioned file system with sharing
A method of data sharing among multiple entities is provided. Each entity exports to a data store a structured data representation comprising a versioned file system local to that entity. The method begins by forming a sharing group that includes two or more entities. Sharing of the structured data representations by members of the sharing group is enabled. The filers use a single distributed lock to protect each version of the file system. This lock is managed to allow each filer access to the shared file system volume to create its new version. To share a fully-versioned file system, asynchronous updates at each of the filers is permitted, and each node is then allowed to “push” its individual changes to the store to form the next version of the file system. A mechanism also may be used to reduce the period during which filers in the group operate under lock.
1. A method of data sharing among multiple filer entities, at least one of which creates and exports to a cloud data store one or more structured data representations comprising a versioned file system, wherein filer entities do not interact with one another, comprising:
receiving information from which a sharing group that includes two or more of the multiple filer entities is configured; and
enabling sharing, as a volume, of the one or more structured data representations created and exported by the at least one filer entity by at least one other of the filer entities; and
after sharing is enabled with respect to the one or more structured data representations, managing distribution, using software executing in a hardware machine, of a single, shared version identifier among the at least one filer entity and the at least other of the filer entities such that one and only one of the filer entities sharing the volume are enabled to create a new version of the versioned file system having that version identifier.
2. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the sharing is enabled by a first entity performing a snapshot with respect to its versioned file system and, as the snapshot is being performed, restricting other of the entities in the sharing group from performing a snapshot with respect to their versioned file systems.
3. The method as described in claim 2 further including notifying each other entity in the sharing group of a changed file generated as a result of the snapshot being performed by the first entity.
4. The method as described in claim 3 further including having an entity that receives a notification of the changed file update its versioned file system.
5. The method as described in claim 1 wherein the structured data representation is an XML representation.
6. The method as described in claim 2 wherein the restricting step is implemented using a lock.
7. The method as described in claim 6 wherein the lock is activated before data is sent to the data store.
8. The method as described in claim 6 wherein the lock is activated after data is sent to the data store but before updating metadata associated with the data.
9. The method as described in claim 6 further including restricting a size of the snapshot.
10. The method as described in claim 6 further including restricting a time period associated with the snapshot.
11. The method as described in claim 6 further including restricting a type of object associated with the snapshot.
12. The method as described in claim 2 further including obtaining a local coherent view of the structured data representations across the data store prior to performing the snapshot.
13. The method as described in claim 12 further including faulting given data to facilitate sharing of the structured data representations.
14. Apparatus associated with multiple filer entities, at least one of which creates and exports to a cloud data store one or more structured data representations comprising a versioned file system, wherein filer entities do not interact with one another, comprising:
a processor; and
computer memory storing computer program instructions executed by the processor (a) to generate a web-based interface by which a sharing group that includes two or more of the multiple filer entities is configured, (b) to enable sharing, as a volume, of the one or more structured data representations created and exported by the at least one filer entity by at least one other of the filer entities; and (c) after sharing is enabled with respect to the one or more structured data representations, to manage distribution of a single, shared version identifier among the at least one filer entity and the at least other of the filer entities such that one and only one of the filer entities sharing the volume are enabled to create a new version of the versioned file system having that version identifier.