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Perspectives on Optimistically Replicated Peer-to-Peer Filing

T. W. Page, R. G. Guy, J. S. Heidemann, D. Ratner, P. Reiher, A. Goel, G. H. Kuenning, and G. J. Popek
University of California, Los Angeles

Abstract

This research proposes and tests an approach to engineering distributed file systems that are aimed at wide-scale, Internet-based use. The premise is that replication is essential to deliver performance and availability, yet the traditional conservative replica consistency algorithms do not scale to this environment. Our Ficus replicated file system uses a single-copy availability, optimistic update policy with reconciliation algorithms that reliably detect concurrent updates and automatically restore the consistency of directory replicas. The system uses the peer-to-peer model in which all machines are architectural equals but still permits configuration in a client-server arrangement where appropriate. Ficus has been used for six years at several geographically scattered installations. This paper details and evaluates the use of optimistic replica consistency, automatic update conflict detection and repair, the peer-to-peer (as opposed to client-server) interaction model, and the stackable file system architecture in the design and construction of Ficus. The paper concludes with a number of lessons learned from the experience of designing, building, measuring, and living with an optimistically replicated file system.

Availability

Copies for personal use can be obtained by an e-mail request to the authors or by contacting Wiley at +1 (508) 744-3350. On-line copies may be available through Wiley InterScience (but aren't as of May 1998). Copyright terms for this paper appear below.

Reference

Page98a: T. W. Page, R. G. Guy, J. S. Heidemann, D. Ratner, P. Reiher, A. Goel, G. H. Kuenning, and G. J. Popek. Perspectives on Optimistically Replicated Peer-to-Peer Filing. Software--Practice and Experience, 28 (2 ), pp. 155-180, February, 1998. <http://www.isi.edu/~johnh/PAPERS/Page98a.html>.

@article{Page98a,
	author = "T. W. Page and R. G. Guy and J. S. Heidemann and
		 D. Ratner and P. Reiher and A. Goel and
		 G. H. Kuenning and G. J. Popek",
	title = "Perspectives on Optimistically Replicated Peer-to-Peer Filing",
	journal = "Software---Practice and Experience",
	year = "1998",
	volume = "28",
	number = "2",
	month = "February",
	pages = "155--180",
	keywords = "ficus journal paper",
	url = "http://www.isi.edu/~johnh/PAPERS/Page98a.html",
	psurl = "http://www.isi.edu/~johnh/PAPERS/Page98a.ps.gz",
	pdfurl = "http://www.isi.edu/~johnh/PAPERS/Page98a.pdf",
	organization = "University of California, Los Angeles",
	copyrightholder = "John Wiley {\&} Sons, Inc.",
	availability = "
Copies for personal use
  can be obtained by an
  e-mail request to the authors
  or by contacting Wiley at +1
                         (508) 744-3350.
On-line copies may be available through
  Wiley InterScience
  (but aren't as of May 1998).
",
}

Copyright

This paper is copyright © 1998 by John Wiley \& Sons, Inc.. Copying of articles is not permitted except for personal and internal use, to the extent permitted by national coypright law, or under the terms of a license issued by the National Reproduction Rights Organization (such as Copyright Licensing Agency, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 9HE, UK or Copyright Clearance Center Inc., 27 Congress Street, Salem, MA 01970, USA). The price for copies made under the CCC or other licenses is indicated on the title page of each article. Reqeusts for permission for other kinds of copying, such as coyping for general distribution, for advertisting or promotional purposes, for createing new collective works or for resale, and other enquiries should be addressed to the Publisher.