Doc File for a FAQ
- Author:
- : Devresse Adrien
1. Why switch to GFAL 2.0 ?
10 good reasons to switch to GFAL 2.0 :
GFAL 2.0 :
- is extensible with the new plugin system. Any protocol can be supported with a plugin.
- is independant of the technologies provided ( no globus dependencies, no need to install technologies that are not used ).
- is now thread-safe.
- has a new error's system with full string errors and a "TRACE" mode.
- is now designed to be as POSIX as possible, No non-posix like functions will be provided in the future.
- manages the extended attributes system for advanced functions.
- is smaller and faster
- has an integrated cache system.
- is given with gfalFS , a NEW file system which can mount any point in the GRID like a local folder.
- is fully supported and easy to install on EMI.
1. What are the main changes from gfal 1.0 ?
- the NON-POSIX functions of 1.0 do not exist anymore, they are mapped to POSIX one.
- the gfal_request system is now replaced by a more simpler one.
- GFal 2.0 provide the getxattr, setxattr, listxattr calls for the plateform's specific calls ( turl resolution, guid resolution, ...)
2. I would make a SRM to TURL resolution with GFAL 2.0 and the gfal_srm_plugin, How to do it ?
- char turl[2048];
- gfal_getxattr("srm://masrul/monfichier", "user.replicas", turl, 2048);
3. I would make a GUID to LFC resolution with GFAL 2.0 and the gfal_lfc_plugin, How to do it ?
- char lfn[2048];
- gfal_getxattr("srm://masrul/monfichier", "user.guid", lfn, 2048);
4. I want a more verbose error report, How to do it ?
4. I need to create a GFAL 2.0 plugin, How to do it ?
- a tutorial will come for more details.
5 . I need to implement a specific non-POSIX call in GFAL, How to do it ?
- create a new xattr's key for your needs.
6. What about the licence ? :
- The license is still unchanged from gfal 1.0, It is a Apache 2.0 license : apl
7. I get a Communication Error ( ECOMM ) on all my gfal Calls :
- ECOMM means an un-usual Error, reported by the server-side. In Most of the case, this error is due to an access right problem. try to setup your voms-proxy with voms-prox-init --voms [your vo] and try again.
8. I Wish add/remove a plugin to the plugin list, How to do it ?
- The list of the gfal's plugin loaded is in the environment variable GFAL_PLUGIN_LIST, you have just to modify this environment variable before start your gfal's program.