Status and future perspectives of CernVM-FS

Abstract

The CernVM File System (CernVM-FS) provides a scalable, reliable and close to zero-maintenance software distribution service. It was developed to assist HEP collaborations to deploy their software on the worldwide-distributed computing infrastructure used to run their data processing applications. CernVM-FS is deployed on a wide range of computing resources, ranging from powerful worker nodes at Tier 1 grid sites to simple virtual appliances running on volunteer computers. We present a new approach to stage updates and changes into the file system, which aims to reduce the delay in distributing a software release to less than an hour. In addition, it significantly reduces the complexity with respect to both required capabilities of the master storage as well as installation and maintenance. Furthermore, we will discuss new requirements for additional features on the client side that have arisen from HEP community feedback.