ABSTRACT
Just as virtualization has provided massive flexibility for computation across diverse processor hardware, software-defined storage provides that flexibility for I/O workloads across diverse storage hardware. The Parallel Logstructured File System (PLFS) is one such software-defined storage platform. Originally designed as middleware to solve massively concurrent checkpointing, PLFS has become a powerful reminder of how not all workloads are well suited to all storage systems. PLFS is also a compelling example of how a layer of software indirection can change the base abilities of existing storage systems. PLFS has since extended its functionality to address additional storage challenges, thereby growing from single-purpose middleware into a more general software-defined storage platform.
