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We describe a new application-controlled file persistence
model in which applications select the desired stability from a range
of persistence guarantees. This new abstraction extends conventional
abstractions by allowing applications to specify a file's volatility
and methods for automatic reconstruction in case of loss.
The model allows applications, particularly ones with weak
persistence requirements, to leverage the memory space of other machines
to improve their performance.
An automated (filename-matching)
interface permits legacy applications to take advantage of the
variable persistence guarantees without being modified.
Our prototype implementation shows significant
speed-ups, in some cases more than an order of magnitude over
conventional network file systems such as NFS version 3.
Todd Anderson
1999-04-26