GP.File Storage

This function enables a service that offers its consumers the ability to manipulate (store, retrieve and modify et cetera) data in loosely structured. The function may distribute the data over multiple logical locations, but makes its consumers view it as located in a single logical location. The function may also offer the ability to perform storage related "intelligent" tasks, such as replication, migration, encryption, reporting, compression and data deduplication.

Note that File Storage is always implemented on top of some form of Raw Storage. As a consequence, an Applied Pattern dealing with file storage is often based on both the File Storage Generic Pattern and the Raw Storage Generic Pattern.

As examples: realizations of File Storage (and Raw Storage under it) can include: Note: it's possible that the solution is to make use of Business Rules (e.g. for data deduplication or automatic migration of data to nearline/offline storage). If this is to be modelled then this Pattern must be combined with the corresponding functions.
 * simple Content Management Systems (CMS) and alike solutions,
 * (the front-end of) NAS appliances,
 * file share servers.