A Model for Storage Processes in Network Environment and Its Implementation

Computer networks are frequently used as a communication channel between applications and storage resources. The diversity of the architectures, communication protocols and user objectives induces vast research agenda. Both networks and storage systems have their models, used to analyze and optimize separately the two different aspects (transmission and storage) of information systems. On the other hand the crucial features of the services are similar - throughput, security, reliability. There are instances of the convergence between the tools and methods used in storage and transmission to achieve the same purposes. For example hard disk sector structure is similar to Ethernet frame. So, it should be possible to provide a single, universal model for transmission and storage processes. Such model may be used to analyze both processes jointly. Furthermore the model may be used to provide formal definitions of some storage processes such as backup, replication, migration.