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SiteFS Overview

SiteFS is the File System of the CNA.  It is a distributed network file system that can mount on top of an existing, native file system (on a given machine) via a native file system driver (BaseFS driver below).  SiteFS files may be distributed and protected within a given level of trust by an originating SiteFS machine, across any number of SiteFS machines. 

Sessions launched off of one SiteFS server may run on another trusted SiteFS server (to off-load the originating server).  Each session has a running session server program (listening for clients) as well as a session user list and file pool for files from the originating server being used or worked with in the given session.  Files in session write caches may lock and commit  against the originating files.   SiteFS "V-Files" support the creation of updated versions of originating files from a given session.

SiteFS sessions are dynamic multi-user sessions.  In them, each user may see the same set of objects and information in their session windows. For material submissions, the appropriate CNA members may dynamically enter and exit these editing sessions and participate in the review and incorporation of the submitted material.  SiteFS sessions provide an operating environment for any number of third-party program objects that implement the necessary interfaces to run within them.

SiteFS files can be distributed at various degrees of trust.  Copies of an originating server's files on another machine can exist in that machine's "read cache".  These files may be encrypted and they may require server-side login to get a key (that expires) to decrypt them and view them in a server-trusted viewer program.  "Platform security" involves intellectual property protection for data that is distributed - it is for securing the client machines upon which copies of trusted content may be put.  Also called TVI (Trusted Viewer Infrastructure), it is a very aggressive form of intellectual property protection on the client side.  TVI involves SiteFS on the server-side dynamically downloading a program to the client (at login) to run there and check its footprint to see if it looks like a legitimate, installed and running copy of SiteFS.  TVI's "footprint protocol" is open to added systems and device software vendor participation, to provide the maximum possible protection for intellectual property distributed to the client side.