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GRNET Greek Research & Education Network GRNET Simple Storage – GSS Ioannis Liabotis , Panos Louridas. http://www.grnet.gr Amsterdam , June 2007. Outline. An introduction to GSS Authorisation & Authentication GSS Functionality GUI Access API Access Storage Architecture Future steps.
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GRNETGreek Research & Education NetworkGRNET Simple Storage – GSSIoannisLiabotis, PanosLouridas http://www.grnet.gr Amsterdam, June 2007
Outline • An introduction to GSS • Authorisation & Authentication • GSS Functionality • GUI Access • API Access • Storage Architecture • Future steps
What is GSS? • GSS will provide free storage for the Greek research & academic community; initially 5 Gbytes for each person • Users will be able to upload, share, and index their files • Thin & Thick GUI access will be provided • Direct API access will be provided, enabling third parties to build functionality on top • Inspired by Amazon S2, but going beyond…
Authentication & Authorisation (AA) • GSS will use Shibboleth for AA • GRNET has prepared a Shibboleth infrastructure for all institutions in Greece • At the current stage, three universities have Shibbolethised their AA process: NTUA, AUTH, UoPatras (total number of users > 50,000) • GSS will not offer other AA means (e.g., direct LDAP), but will be a carrot for other institutes to Shibbolethise their processes. • Initially, all users will be equals
User Functionality • GSS will offer users a file system abstraction, complete with file/folder hierarchical structures • All usual file system operations will be offered • Users will also be able to share their files with selected other users, or defined user groups • Users will be able to delete files permanently, or use a trash can • GSS will enable users to version their files automatically • Full text search will be provided
GUI Access • Thin web client using AJAX • Thick client using Java • WebDAV access to enable integration with window managers • All user interfaces will offer about the same set of functionality
API Access • GSS will offer two APIs: REST and SOAP • Both APIs will offer the same set of functionality • Both APIs will be published • GSS will encourage third parties to write applications on top of the provided APIs
Architecture • SATA disks on a SAN – around 140 TBytes • GPFS for data transfer • All GSS functionality provided on the application layer via application server farms • Application layer implemented in Java
Shibboleth (GRNET) Logical Topology
Future Steps • Rollout complete application – currently at the prototype level • Allow extra functionality on top of the initial one: • offering the capability to upload virtual machines so as to move from hosting storage to hosting computation elements • Increase infrastructure depending on use • Open to suggestions