Fdrive

Fdrive is a conceptual software framework for a virtual file drive that aims to unify local and remote storage into a single namespace. It envisions presenting remote data as if it were part of a local filesystem, simplifying access for applications.

Architecture and components: a fdrive client coordinates with storage backends and a metadata service. It can be implemented as a FUSE-based filesystem or a user-space driver. The metadata service manages directory structure, permissions, and file versioning, while backends provide object or block storage. Local caching and a synchronization layer help keep data consistent across devices.

Features: cross-device synchronization, offline access, file versioning, deduplication, and pluggable backends. Security features commonly described include encryption in transit and at rest, access control lists, and audit logging.

Usage and implementations: proposals and experimental projects describe fdrive as a backend-agnostic interface for cloud and on-premises storage. Real-world deployments are typically prototypes or research systems, with production use limited by complexity and governance requirements.

Status: as a concept, fdrive remains described in technical discussions rather than a standardized product. It serves as a reference design for integrating diverse storage technologies under a unified drive-like interface.

See also: distributed filesystem, cloud storage, FUSE, synchronization, object storage.