SNIA

The Swordfish Scalable Storage Management API ("Swordfish") uses RESTful interface semantics and a standardized data model to provide a scalable, customer-centric interface for managing storage and related data services.

The SNIA has developed methods which enable manufacturers to set, and customers to compare, the performance specifications of Solid State Storage devices, which are evolving with the state of the technology. These specifications define a set of device level tests and methodologies which enable comparative testing of SSS devices for Enterprise and Client systems.

The NVM Programming Model was developed to address the ongoing proliferation of new non-volatile memory (NVM) functionality and new NVM technologies. An extensible NVM Programming Model is necessary to enable an industry wide community of NVM producers and consumers to move forward together through a number of significant storage and memory system architecture changes.

This specification defines recommended behavior between various user space and operating system (OS) kernel components supporting NVM. This specification does not describe a specific API. Instead, the intent is to enable common NVM behavior to be exposed by multiple operating system specific interfaces.

After establishing context, the specification describes several operational modes of NVM access. Each mode is described in terms of use cases, actions and attributes that inform user and kernel space components of functionality that is provided by a given compliant implementation.

The IP Drive Management Specification describes the management features and functions of a storage device class known as IP Based Drives. It includes a taxonomy covering the scope of involved device capabilities.

The LTFS Format Specification defines a file system format separate from any implementation on data storage media. Using this format, data is stored in LTFS Volumes. An LTFS Volume holds data files and corresponding metadata to completely describe the directory and file structures stored on the volume.
The LTFS Format has these features:
An LTFS Volume can be mounted and volume content accessed with full use of the data without the need to access other information sources.

• Data can be passed between sites and applications using only the information written to an LTFS Volume.
• Files can be written to, and read from, an LTFS Volume using standard POSIX file operations.

The LTFS Format is particularly suited to these usages:

• Data export and import.
• Data interchange and exchange.
• Direct file and partial file recall from sequential access media.
• Archival storage of files using a simplified, self-contained or “self-describing” format on sequential access media.

The Solid State Storage System (S4) TWG was created for the purpose of addressing the unique performance behavior of solid state storage systems. The TWG creates specifications which provide guidance to accurately measure the performance of enterprise arrays as oppose to devices. These specifications are vendor agnostic and support all the solid state storage system technologies of member companies.

The S4 TWG:

• Acts as the primary technical entity for the SNIA to identify, develop, and coordinate system performance standards for solid state storage systems
• Produces a comprehensive set of specifications and drives consistency of measurement guidelines and messages related to solid state storage systems
• Documents system–level requirements and shares these with other performance standards organizations under the guidance of the SNIA Technical Council and in cooperation with the SNIA Strategic Alliances Committee

The Solid State Storage Technical Work Group has been created for the purpose of developing standards related to system implementations of Solid State Storage technology.
The Solid State Storage TWG:

• Acts as the primary technical entity for the SNIA to identify, develop, and coordinate systems standards for Solid State Storage.
• Produces a comprehensive set of specifications and drives consistency of interface standards and messages across the various Solid State Storage related efforts.
• Documents system-level requirements and shares these with other Solid State Storage standards organizations under the guidance of the SNIA Technical Council and in cooperation with the SNIA Strategic Alliances Committee.

The LTFS Format Specification defines a file system format separate from any implementation on data storage media. Using this format, data is stored in LTFS Volumes. An LTFS Volume holds data files and corresponding metadata to completely describe the directory and file structures stored on the volume.
 
The LTFS Format has these features:

• An LTFS Volume can be mounted and volume content accessed with full use of the data without the need to access other information sources.
• Data can be passed between sites and applications using only the information written to an LTFS Volume.
• Files can be written to, and read from, an LTFS Volume using standard POSIX file operations.

The LTFS Format is particularly suited to these usages:

• Data export and import.
• Data interchange and exchange.
• Direct file and partial file recall from sequential access media. Archival storage of files using a simplified, self-contained or “self-describing” format on sequential access media.

The LTFS Bulk Transfer standard defines a method by which a set of files, directories and objects from a source system can be transferred to a destination system.  The bulk transfer of large quantities of data is well suited for LTFS due to the economic and environmental characteristics of tape. Building on top of the LTFS format, a standardized method for transferring data is defined that provides many advantages.

The SNIA Cloud Storage Technologies Initiative (CSTI) is committed to the adoption, growth and standardization of storage in cloud infrastructures, including its data services, orchestration and management, and the promotion of portability of data in multi-cloud environments.