GFAL2
GFAL (Grid File Access Library ) is a C library providing an abstraction layer of the grid storage system complexity. The version 2 of GFAL tries to simplify at the maximum the file operations in a distributed environment. the complexity of the grid is hidden from the client side behind a simple common POSIX API.
GFAL2 is able to manage all the common used file access protocols in a Grid & cloud environment
- Dcap & GSIDCAP
- LFN & LFC (LFC catalog)
- RFIO, DPM or CASTOR
- SRM
- GridFTP
- HTTP/WebDav
- XROOTD
- Local files
10 good reasons to switch to GFAL2:
- Has a new Error report system: protocol independent error code, human readable string, trace mode and logger system.
- Is simpler and portable, with only one API for all the protocols. Your application can switch between SRM, GSIFTP, xrootd, Http, Webdav, GSIDCAP, etc... without any modification.
- Can manage file transfers at high level (gfal2-transfer API, core of FTS3).
- Is extensible with the new plugin system. Adding support for a new protocol or a new catalog without touching the client application is easy.
- Is now designed to be as POSIX as possible.
- Manages the extended attributes system for advanced grid operations ( get guid, set/get replicas, set/get comments).
- Is delivered with gfalFS , a NEW file system which can mount any compatible grid URL.
- Is fully supported, without configuration and easier to install.
What are the main changes from gfal1?
- The NON-POSIX functions of 1.0 do not exist anymore in the POSIX API, they are mapped to a POSIX one (setxattr/getxattr) or available in the file API (checksum).
- The gfal_request complex system is now replaced by a simple POSIX calls and getxattr/setxattr
- GFAL2 provides the getxattr, setxattr, listxattr calls for the platform's specific calls (turl resolution, guid resolution, ...)
- The Python API has been reworked, more pythonic and easier to use, follows now the python philosophy and is able to manage the exceptions properly.