Hierarchical Persistent Object Stores
This project is investigating how a hierarchical structure could be employed
in a persistent object store. A prototype persistent store has been constructed
using the NFS server technology developed for the iHFS project.
Using this basic technology it should be possible to implement a hierarchical
storage structure that can operate independently of any running applications.
This Hierarchical Persistent Object Store, HPOS, would be an ideal framework
for experimenting with train-algorithm garbage collectors. Train algorithm
garbage collectors are designed to incrementally collect garbage, including
cycles, in an object store containing large numbers of long lived, Mature,
objects. Since the HPOS server is independent of the running program it
can perform concurrent incremental collections without interfering with
a running application. All that is necessary is that the server presents
a coherent set of pages to the client application and initiates checkpoints
on request. The resultant technology should support the implementation
of a massive HPOS.