Speaker
Dr
Richard Mount
(SLAC)
Description
The PetaCache project started at SLAC in 2004 with support from DOE
Computer Science and the SLAC HEP program. PetaCache focuses on using
cost-effective solid state storage for the hottest data under analysis. We chart
the evolution of metrics such as accesses per second per dollar for different
storage technologies and deduce the near inevitability of a massive use of solid-
state storage in the near future. We report on the latency and access-rate
performance of a DRAM-based prototype constructed in 2005 using commodity
hardware and a Flash-based prototype constructed in 2007 using purpose-built
hardware. We describe the use of xrootd to cluster individual servers in a highly
scalable and fault tolerant approach, and present tests of scalability. A study of
access to ATLAS AOD data is reported as a first step in understanding the
software issues that will be encountered in achieving unfettered access to
objects within HEP events. Finally we examine the cost-benefit outlook for the
use of solid-state storage in HEP experiments.
Primary author
Dr
Richard Mount
(SLAC)
Co-authors
Andrew Hanushevsky
(SLAC)
Chuck Boeheim
(SLAC)
Prof.
David Leith
(SLAC)
Jacek Becla
(SLAC)
Randal Melen
(SLAC)
Dr
Teela Pulliam
(SLAC)
William Weeks
(SLAC)
