| This thesis presents an architecture and design for a Robust Distributed Storage System (RDSS) targeted at digital library, multimedia, and information retrieval applications, and implemented on networks of low-cost workstations or personal computers. In particular, the system addresses problems associated with managing large distributed indices in the context of these applications. The RDSS provides a framework for scaling a single-node server to create a reliable distributed system. In addition to performance benefits achieved by distributing these applications, the RDSS provides efficient data mirroring, on-line failure recovery, and node management. |
