PoINT FSX

Jukebox File System for Linux
PoINT FSX is designed to provide complete functionality to integrate and operate an optical jukebox in a heterogeneous network environment. Users and applications have transparent access to the huge storage capacity of CD/DVD, MO, UDO, PDD and BD jukebox devices. Because optical technologies are based upon international standards, compatibility and long term availability is ensured. PoINT FSX supports archiving to write-once media as well as secondary storage on re-writeable media.

The PoINT FSX Concept
PoINT FSX provides hard disk like access to data stored on optical media in a jukebox. The product concept takes advantage of the Linux architecture. Transparent read/write access to optical media in a jukebox is provided through a mountable UNIX file system. Multiple platforms like UNIX, Windows or Macintosh can have access to the data stored on optical media in the jukebox. The jukebox is represented as one directory and all imported media are represented as subdirectories. In addition, PoINT FSX can combine multiple physical media into a single, logical volume. The standard UDF file system is used for all writable media.

Volume Sets

PoINT FSX offers an efffective way to combine multiple physical media into a single, logical volume. These are called ‘Volume Sets’ and each represents a storage subset in which every medium can also be read individually. Files and directories can be seamlessly spread over these media by using the UDF File System.

FSX File System

• Export of FSX file system as NFS and SMB shares (requires Samba)
• NFS protocol version 2 and 3
• Representation of each medium as a subdirectory, or Volume Set representation of multiple media as a subdirectory under the root directory of the NFS share
• Volume Sets (combination of multiple physical media into a single logical volume)
• Dynamic Volume Set Growth
• Grouping of multiple media under a 'virtual directory'
• LINUX based user/group rights and file permissions
• File System "Plug-Ins" to support proprietary file systems

Optical Disc File Formats

• ISO9660 (incl. RockRidge and Joliet)
• UDF 1.02, 1,5, 2.0, 2.01, 2.5 (*UDF 2.5 Under Development)
• UFS

Server Operating Systems

• RedHat
• SuSE
• Miracle Linux

Network Clients

• UNIX via NFS
• Windows via SMB

Caching

• Adaptive hard disk caching of directory structure for all volumes
• RAM caching for optimized read/write performance
• Configurable read cache on hard disk
• 'Write through' mode

Administration

• Set of command line programs and script files covering hardware and FSX configuration as well as operation of the system
• Configuration file for runtime parameters
• Graphical User Interface (Java application)

Third Party Integration
By its flexible set of commands, PoINT FSX provides manufactures of complete solutions (e.g. system integrators, OEM) a software platform for systems such as appliances or NAS which incorporate optical jukebox technology.

Supported Jukeboxes &Technologies

• ASACA, ASM, BDT, DISC, DSM, GRUNDIG, HP, JVC, Kubota, Pioneer, Plasmon, Sony ...
• CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, MO, MO/WORM, UDO, PDD, Blu-ray Disc
• The list of supported jukeboxes and technologies is extended on a permanent basis.