SwiftOnFile

SwiftOnFile project enables GlusterFS volume to be used as backend for Openstack Swift - a distributed object store. This allows objects PUT over Swift's RESTful API to be accessed as files over filesystem interface and vice versa i.e files created over filesystem interface (NFS/FUSE/native) can be accessed as objects over Swift's RESTful API.

SwiftOnFile project was formerly known as gluster-swift and also as UFO (Unified File and Object) before that. More information about SwiftOnFile can be found here. There are differences in working of gluster-swift (now obsolete) and swiftonfile projects. The older gluster-swift code and relevant documentation can be found in icehouse branch of swiftonfile repo.

SwiftOnFile vs gluster-swift

Gluster-Swift	SwiftOnFile
One GlusterFS volume maps to and stores only one Swift account. Mountpoint Hierarchy: container/object	One GlusterFS volume or XFS partition can have multiple accounts. Mountpoint Hierarchy: acc/container/object
Over-rides account server, container server and object server. We need to keep in sync with upstream Swift and often may need code changes or workarounds to support new Swift features	Implements only object-server. Very less need to catch-up to Swift as new features at proxy,container and account level would very likely be compatible with SwiftOnFile as it's just a storage policy.
Does not use DBs for accounts and container.A container listing involves a filesystem crawl.A HEAD on account/container gives inaccurate or stale results without FS crawl.	Uses Swift's DBs to store account and container information. An account or container listing does not involve FS crawl. Accurate info on HEAD to account/container – ability to support account quotas.
GET on a container and account lists actual files in filesystem.	GET on a container and account only lists objects PUT over Swift. Files created over filesystem interface do not appear in container and object listings.
Standalone deployment required and does not integrate with existing Swift cluster.	Integrates with any existing Swift deployment as a Storage Policy.