Editing Storage Resource Broker (section)

==Description==
SRB provides a uniform interface to heterogeneous [[computer data storage]] resources over a network.  As part of this, it implements a logical [[namespace]] (distinct from physical file names) and maintains [[metadata]] on data-objects (files), users, groups, resources, collections, and other items in an SRB [[metadata]] catalog (MCAT) stored in a relational [[database management system]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |title= The SDSC storage resource broker |last1= Baru |first1= Chaitanya |first2= Reagan |last2= Moore |first3= Arcot |last3= Rajasekar |first4= Michael |last4= Wan |journal= CASCON First Decade High Impact Papers  |pages= 189–200 |doi= 10.1145/1925805.1925816 |year= 2010 |citeseerx= 10.1.1.203.4142 |s2cid= 15937740 }} (Reprint from November 30 – December 3, 1998)</ref>  System and user-defined metadata can be queried to locate files based on attributes as well as by name. SRB runs on various versions of [[Unix]], [[Linux]], and [[Microsoft Windows]].

The SRB system is [[middleware]] in the sense that it is built on top of other major software packages (various storage systems, real-time data sources, a relational database management system, etc.) and it has callable library functions that can be utilized by higher level software. However, it is more complete than many middleware software systems as it implements a comprehensive distributed data management environment, including various end-user client applications.  It has features to support the management and collaborative (and controlled) sharing, publication, replication, transfer, and preservation of distributed data collections.<ref name=":0" />

SRB is sometimes used in conjunction with computational [[grid computing]] systems, such as Globus Alliance, and can utilize the Globus Alliance Grid Security Infrastructure (GSI) [[authentication]] system.

SRB can store and retrieve data in archival storage systems such as the [[High Performance Storage System]] and SAM-FS, on disk [[file system]]s (Unix, Linux, or Windows), as [[binary large object]]s or tabular data in relational database management systems, and on tape libraries.

SRB was used since 1997. In 2008 the SRB was estimated to be managing over two petabytes of data.

While licensed, SRB source distributions are freely available to academic and non-profit organizations. [[Nirvana (software)|Nirvana]] SRB, a commercial version of SRB, featured capabilities specifically adapted to government and commercial use.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.nirvanastorage.com |title= Nirvana Storage - Home of the Storage Resource Broker (SRB) |work= web site |access-date= 17 July 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080724002757/http://www.nirvanastorage.com/ |archive-date= 2008-07-24 |url-status= dead }}</ref>