OpenAFS Client Performance Analysis

75226-The Andrew File System (AFS) is used to store and manipulate the large-scale data volume generated in High Energy Physics (HEP) experiments. Recent advances in computing have created a bottleneck situation because the performance of the client module in the Andrew File System is sub-optimal in current computing infrastructures. These bottlenecks impact the overall performance of the distributed file store, limiting the efficiency of HEP experiments that impose reasonably high demands on the data store. This project will develop performance enhancements for the client code to address these bottlenecks. In Phase I, an instrumentation code will be added to the Andrew File System client code, in order to provide performance data during the conduct of controlled experiments. Multiple iterations of adding-in instrumentation code and running experiments will be executed to assure that the critical areas in the Andrew File System client code will be identified. In Phase II, the performance data from Phase I will be used to implement client code enhancements that will address the specific bottlenecks responsible for the sub-optimal performance that currently plagues users of the distributed file system. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The Andrew File System is used by many universities, government agencies, and companies to manage very large amounts of crucial data. Performance improvements in the client code should allow these users to improve the efficiency with which they handle their data. Also, the high costs of alternative data storage solutions would be avoided.