Synnefo » Pithos

Pithos v2 Developer Guide

=========================

Introduction

------------

Pithos is a storage service implemented by GRNET (http://www.grnet.gr). Data is stored as objects, organized in containers, belonging to an account. This hierarchy of storage layers has been inspired by the OpenStack Object Storage (OOS) API and similar CloudFiles API by Rackspace. The Pithos API follows the OOS API as closely as possible. One of the design requirements has been to be able to use Pithos with clients built for the OOS, without changes.

However, to be able to take full advantage of the Pithos infrastructure, client software should be aware of the extensions that differentiate Pithos from OOS. Pithos objects can be updated, or appended to. Pithos will store sharing permissions per object and enforce corresponding authorization policies. Automatic version management, allows taking account and container listings back in time, as well as reading previous instances of objects.

The storage backend of Pithos is block oriented, permitting efficient, deduplicated data placement. The block structure of objects is exposed at the API layer, in order to encourage external software to implement advanced data management operations.

This document's goals are:

* Define the Pithos ReST API that allows the storage and retrieval of data and metadata via HTTP calls

* Specify metadata semantics and user interface guidelines for a common experience across client software implementations

The present document is meant to be read alongside the OOS API documentation. Thus, it is suggested that the reader is familiar with associated technologies, the OOS API as well as the first version of the Pithos API. This document refers to the second version of Pithos. Information on the first version of the storage API can be found at http://code.google.com/p/gss.

Whatever marked as to be determined (**TBD**), should not be considered by implementors.

Document Revisions

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

=========================  ================================

Revision                   Description

=========================  ================================

0.7 (Oct 21, 2011)         Suggest upload/download methods using hashmaps.

\                          Propose syncing algorithm.

\                          Support cross-account object copy and move.

\                          Pass token as a request parameter when using ``POST`` via an HTML form.

\                          Optionally use source account to update object from another object.

\                          Use container ``POST`` to upload missing blocks of data.

\                          Report policy in account headers.

\                          Add insufficient quota reply.

0.6 (Sept 13, 2011)        Reply with Merkle hash as the ETag when updating objects.

\                          Include version id in object replace/change replies.

\                          Change conflict (409) replies format to text.

\                          Tags should be migrated to a meta value.

\                          Container ``PUT`` updates metadata/policy.

\                          Report allowed actions in shared object replies.

\                          Provide ``https://hostname/login`` for Shibboleth authentication.

\                          Use ``hashmap`` parameter in object ``GET``/``PUT`` to use hashmaps.

0.5 (July 22, 2011)        Object update from another object's data.

\                          Support object truncate.

\                          Create object using a standard HTML form.

\                          Purge container/object history.

\                          List other accounts that share objects with a user.

\                          List shared containers/objects.

\                          Update implementation guidelines.

\                          Check preconditions when creating/updating objects.

0.4 (July 01, 2011)        Object permissions and account groups.

\                          Control versioning behavior and container quotas with container policy directives.

\                          Support updating/deleting individual metadata with ``POST``.

\                          Create object using hashmap.

0.3 (June 14, 2011)        Large object support with ``X-Object-Manifest``.

\                          Allow for publicly available objects via ``https://hostname/public``.

\                          Support time-variant account/container listings. 

\                          Add source version when duplicating with ``PUT``/``COPY``.

\                          Request version in object ``HEAD``/``GET`` requests (list versions with ``GET``).

0.2 (May 31, 2011)         Add object meta listing and filtering in containers.

\                          Include underlying storage characteristics in container meta.

\                          Support for partial object updates through ``POST``.

\                          Expose object hashmaps through ``GET``.

\                          Support for multi-range object ``GET`` requests.

0.1 (May 17, 2011)         Initial release. Based on OpenStack Object Storage Developer Guide API v1 (Apr. 15, 2011).

=========================  ================================

Pithos Users and Authentication

-------------------------------

Pithos keeps separate databases for users and objects.

Each user is uniquely identified by the ``Uniq`` field. This should be used as the user's account in the API. The API uses the ``Token`` field to authenticate a user, thus allowing cross-account requests. All API requests require a token.

User entries can be modified/added via the management interface available at ``https://hostname/admin``.

Pithos is also compatible with Shibboleth (http://shibboleth.internet2.edu/). The connection between Shibboleth and Pithos is done by ``https://hostname/login``. An application that wishes to connect to Pithos, but does not have a token, should redirect the user to the login URI.

The login URI accepts the following parameters:

======================  =========================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  =========================

next                    The URI to redirect to when the process is finished

renew                   Force token renewal (no value parameter)

======================  =========================

The login process starts by redirecting the user to an external URI (controlled by Shibboleth), where the actual authentication credentials are entered. Then, the user is redirected back to the login URI from Shibboleth, with various identification information in the request headers.

If the user does not exist in the database, Pithos adds the user and creates a random token. If the user exists, the token has not expired and ``renew`` is not set, the existing token is reused. Finally, the login URI redirects to the URI provided with ``next``, adding the ``user`` and ``token`` parameters, which contain the ``Uniq`` and ``Token`` fields respectively. 

The Pithos API

--------------

The URI requests supported by the Pithos API follow one of the following forms:

* Top level: ``https://hostname/v1/``

* Account level: ``https://hostname/v1/<account>``

* Container level: ``https://hostname/v1/<account>/<container>``

* Object level: ``https://hostname/v1/<account>/<container>/<object>``

All requests must include an ``X-Auth-Token`` - as a header, or a parameter.

The allowable request operations and respective return codes per level are presented in the remainder of this chapter. Common to all requests are the following return codes.

=========================  ================================

Return Code                Description

=========================  ================================

400 (Bad Request)          The request is invalid

401 (Unauthorized)         Missing or invalid token

403 (Forbidden)            Request not allowed

404 (Not Found)            The requested resource was not found

503 (Service Unavailable)  The request cannot be completed because of an internal error

=========================  ================================

Top Level

^^^^^^^^^

List of operations:

=========  ==================

Operation  Description

=========  ==================

GET        Authentication (for compatibility with the OOS API) or list allowed accounts

=========  ==================

GET

"""

If the ``X-Auth-User`` and ``X-Auth-Key`` headers are given, a dummy ``X-Auth-Token`` and ``X-Storage-Url`` will be replied, which can be used as a guest token/namespace for testing Pithos.

================  =====================

Return Code       Description

================  =====================

204 (No Content)  The request succeeded

================  =====================

If an ``X-Auth-Token`` is already present, the operation will be interpreted as a request to list other accounts that share objects to the user.

======================  =========================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  =========================

limit                   The amount of results requested (default is 10000)

marker                  Return containers with name lexicographically after marker

format                  Optional extended reply type (can be ``json`` or ``xml``)

======================  =========================

The reply is a list of account names.

If a ``format=xml`` or ``format=json`` argument is given, extended information on the accounts will be returned, serialized in the chosen format.

For each account, the information will include the following (names will be in lower case and with hyphens replaced with underscores):

===========================  ============================

Name                         Description

===========================  ============================

name                         The name of the account

last_modified                The last account modification date (regardless of ``until``)

===========================  ============================

Example ``format=json`` reply:

::

  [{"name": "user", "last_modified": "2011-07-19T10:48:16"}, ...]

Example ``format=xml`` reply:

::

  <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

  <accounts>

    <account>

      <name>user</name>

      <last_modified>2011-07-19T10:48:16</last_modified>

    </account>

    <account>...</account>

  </accounts>

===========================  =====================

Return Code                  Description

===========================  =====================

200 (OK)                     The request succeeded

204 (No Content)             The user has no access to other accounts (only for non-extended replies)

===========================  =====================

Will use a ``200`` return code if the reply is of type json/xml.

Account Level

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

List of operations:

=========  ==================

Operation  Description

=========  ==================

HEAD       Retrieve account metadata

GET        List containers

POST       Update account metadata

=========  ==================

HEAD

""""

====================  ===========================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ===========================

If-Modified-Since     Retrieve if account has changed since provided timestamp

If-Unmodified-Since   Retrieve if account has not changed since provided timestamp

====================  ===========================

|

======================  ===================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ===================================

until                   Optional timestamp

======================  ===================================

Cross-user requests are not allowed to use ``until`` and only include the account modification date in the reply.

==========================  =====================

Reply Header Name           Value

==========================  =====================

X-Account-Container-Count   The total number of containers

X-Account-Bytes-Used        The total number of bytes stored

X-Account-Until-Timestamp   The last account modification date until the timestamp provided

X-Account-Group-*           Optional user defined groups

X-Account-Policy-*          Account behavior and limits

X-Account-Meta-*            Optional user defined metadata

Last-Modified               The last account modification date (regardless of ``until``)

==========================  =====================

|

================  =====================

Return Code       Description

================  =====================

204 (No Content)  The request succeeded

================  =====================

GET

"""

====================  ===========================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ===========================

If-Modified-Since     Retrieve if account has changed since provided timestamp

If-Unmodified-Since   Retrieve if account has not changed since provided timestamp

====================  ===========================

|

======================  =========================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  =========================

limit                   The amount of results requested (default is 10000)

marker                  Return containers with name lexicographically after marker

format                  Optional extended reply type (can be ``json`` or ``xml``)

shared                  Show only shared containers (no value parameter)

until                   Optional timestamp

======================  =========================

The reply is a list of container names. Account headers (as in a ``HEAD`` request) will also be included.

Cross-user requests are not allowed to use ``until`` and only include the account/container modification dates in the reply.

If a ``format=xml`` or ``format=json`` argument is given, extended information on the containers will be returned, serialized in the chosen format.

For each container, the information will include all container metadata (names will be in lower case and with hyphens replaced with underscores):

===========================  ============================

Name                         Description

===========================  ============================

name                         The name of the container

count                        The number of objects inside the container

bytes                        The total size of the objects inside the container

last_modified                The last container modification date (regardless of ``until``)

x_container_until_timestamp  The last container modification date until the timestamp provided

x_container_policy_*         Container behavior and limits

x_container_meta_*           Optional user defined metadata

===========================  ============================

For examples of container details returned in JSON/XML formats refer to the OOS API documentation.

===========================  =====================

Return Code                  Description

===========================  =====================

200 (OK)                     The request succeeded

204 (No Content)             The account has no containers (only for non-extended replies)

304 (Not Modified)           The account has not been modified

412 (Precondition Failed)    The condition set can not be satisfied

===========================  =====================

Will use a ``200`` return code if the reply is of type json/xml.

POST

""""

====================  ===========================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ===========================

X-Account-Group-*     Optional user defined groups

X-Account-Meta-*      Optional user defined metadata

====================  ===========================

|

======================  ============================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ============================================

update                  Do not replace metadata/groups (no value parameter)

======================  ============================================

No reply content/headers.

The operation will overwrite all user defined metadata, except if ``update`` is defined.

To create a group, include an ``X-Account-Group-*`` header with the name in the key and a comma separated list of user names in the value. If no ``X-Account-Group-*`` header is present, no changes will be applied to groups. The ``update`` parameter also applies to groups. To delete a specific group, use ``update`` and an empty header value.

================  ===============================

Return Code       Description

================  ===============================

202 (Accepted)    The request has been accepted

================  ===============================

Container Level

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

List of operations:

=========  ============================

Operation  Description

=========  ============================

HEAD       Retrieve container metadata

GET        List objects

PUT        Create/update container

POST       Update container metadata

DELETE     Delete container

=========  ============================

HEAD

""""

====================  ===========================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ===========================

If-Modified-Since     Retrieve if container has changed since provided timestamp

If-Unmodified-Since   Retrieve if container has not changed since provided timestamp

====================  ===========================

|

======================  ===================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ===================================

until                   Optional timestamp

======================  ===================================

Cross-user requests are not allowed to use ``until`` and only include the container modification date in the reply.

===========================  ===============================

Reply Header Name            Value

===========================  ===============================

X-Container-Object-Count     The total number of objects in the container

X-Container-Bytes-Used       The total number of bytes of all objects stored

X-Container-Block-Size       The block size used by the storage backend

X-Container-Block-Hash       The hash algorithm used for block identifiers in object hashmaps

X-Container-Until-Timestamp  The last container modification date until the timestamp provided

X-Container-Object-Meta      A list with all meta keys used by objects (**TBD**)

X-Container-Policy-*         Container behavior and limits

X-Container-Meta-*           Optional user defined metadata

Last-Modified                The last container modification date (regardless of ``until``)

===========================  ===============================

The keys returned in ``X-Container-Object-Meta`` are all the unique strings after the ``X-Object-Meta-`` prefix, formatted as a comma-separated list. See container ``PUT`` for a reference of policy directives. (**TBD**)

================  ===============================

Return Code       Description

================  ===============================

204 (No Content)  The request succeeded

================  ===============================

GET

"""

====================  ===========================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ===========================

If-Modified-Since     Retrieve if container has changed since provided timestamp

If-Unmodified-Since   Retrieve if container has not changed since provided timestamp

====================  ===========================

|

======================  ===================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ===================================

limit                   The amount of results requested (default is 10000)

marker                  Return containers with name lexicographically after marker

prefix                  Return objects starting with prefix

delimiter               Return objects up to the delimiter (discussion follows)

path                    Assume ``prefix=path`` and ``delimiter=/``

format                  Optional extended reply type (can be ``json`` or ``xml``)

meta                    Return objects having the specified meta keys (can be a comma separated list)

shared                  Show only shared objects (no value parameter)

until                   Optional timestamp

======================  ===================================

The ``path`` parameter overrides ``prefix`` and ``delimiter``. When using ``path``, results will include objects ending in ``delimiter``.

The keys given with ``meta`` will be matched with the strings after the ``X-Object-Meta-`` prefix.

The reply is a list of object names. Container headers (as in a ``HEAD`` request) will also be included.

Cross-user requests are not allowed to use ``until`` and include the following limited set of headers in the reply:

===========================  ===============================

Reply Header Name            Value

===========================  ===============================

X-Container-Block-Size       The block size used by the storage backend

X-Container-Block-Hash       The hash algorithm used for block identifiers in object hashmaps

X-Container-Object-Meta      A list with all meta keys used by allowed objects (**TBD**)

Last-Modified                The last container modification date

===========================  ===============================

If a ``format=xml`` or ``format=json`` argument is given, extended information on the objects will be returned, serialized in the chosen format.

For each object, the information will include all object metadata (names will be in lower case and with hyphens replaced with underscores):

==========================  ======================================

Name                        Description

==========================  ======================================

name                        The name of the object

hash                        The ETag of the object

bytes                       The size of the object

content_type                The MIME content type of the object

content_encoding            The encoding of the object (optional)

content-disposition         The presentation style of the object (optional)

last_modified               The last object modification date (regardless of version)

x_object_version            The object's version identifier

x_object_version_timestamp  The object's version timestamp

x_object_modified_by        The user that committed the object's version

x_object_manifest           Object parts prefix in ``<container>/<object>`` form (optional)

x_object_sharing            Object permissions (optional)

x_object_shared_by          Object inheriting permissions (optional)

x_object_allowed_to         Allowed actions on object (optional)

x_object_public             Object's publicly accessible URI (optional)

x_object_meta_*             Optional user defined metadata

==========================  ======================================

Extended replies may also include virtual directory markers in separate sections of the ``json`` or ``xml`` results.

Virtual directory markers are only included when ``delimiter`` is explicitly set. They correspond to the substrings up to and including the first occurrence of the delimiter.

In JSON results they appear as dictionaries with only a ``"subdir"`` key. In XML results they appear interleaved with ``<object>`` tags as ``<subdir name="..." />``.

In case there is an object with the same name as a virtual directory marker, the object will be returned.

For examples of object details returned in JSON/XML formats refer to the OOS API documentation.

===========================  ===============================

Return Code                  Description

===========================  ===============================

200 (OK)                     The request succeeded

204 (No Content)             The account has no containers (only for non-extended replies)

304 (Not Modified)           The container has not been modified

412 (Precondition Failed)    The condition set can not be satisfied

===========================  ===============================

Will use a ``200`` return code if the reply is of type json/xml.

PUT

"""

====================  ================================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ================================

X-Container-Policy-*  Container behavior and limits

X-Container-Meta-*    Optional user defined metadata

====================  ================================

No reply content/headers.

If no policy is defined, the container will be created with the default values.

Available policy directives:

* ``versioning``: Set to ``auto``, ``manual`` or ``none`` (default is ``manual``)

* ``quota``: Size limit in KB (default is ``0`` - unlimited)

If the container already exists, the operation is equal to a ``POST`` with ``update`` defined.

================  ===============================

Return Code       Description

================  ===============================

201 (Created)     The container has been created

202 (Accepted)    The request has been accepted

================  ===============================

POST

""""

====================  ================================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ================================

Content-Length        The size of the supplied data (optional, to upload)

Content-Type          The MIME content type of the supplied data (optional, to upload)

Transfer-Encoding     Set to ``chunked`` to specify incremental uploading (if used, ``Content-Length`` is ignored)

X-Container-Policy-*  Container behavior and limits

X-Container-Meta-*    Optional user defined metadata

====================  ================================

|

======================  ============================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ============================================

update                  Do not replace metadata/policy (no value parameter)

======================  ============================================

No reply content/headers, except when uploading data, where the reply consists of a list of hashes for the blocks received (in a simple text format, with one hash per line).

The operation will overwrite all user defined metadata, except if ``update`` is defined.

To change policy, include an ``X-Container-Policy-*`` header with the name in the key. If no ``X-Container-Policy-*`` header is present, no changes will be applied to policy. The ``update`` parameter also applies to policy - deleted values will revert to defaults. To delete/revert a specific policy directive, use ``update`` and an empty header value. See container ``PUT`` for a reference of policy directives.

To upload blocks of data to the container, set ``Content-Type`` to ``application/octet-stream`` and ``Content-Length`` to a valid value (except if using ``chunked`` as the ``Transfer-Encoding``).

================  ===============================

Return Code       Description

================  ===============================

202 (Accepted)    The request has been accepted

================  ===============================

DELETE

""""""

======================  ===================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ===================================

until                   Optional timestamp

======================  ===================================

If ``until`` is defined, the container is "purged" up to that time (the history of all objects up to then is deleted).

No reply content/headers.

================  ===============================

Return Code       Description

================  ===============================

204 (No Content)  The request succeeded

409 (Conflict)    The container is not empty

================  ===============================

Object Level

^^^^^^^^^^^^

List of operations:

=========  =================================

Operation  Description

=========  =================================

HEAD       Retrieve object metadata

GET        Read object data

PUT        Write object data or copy/move object

COPY       Copy object

MOVE       Move object

POST       Update object metadata/data

DELETE     Delete object

=========  =================================

HEAD

""""

====================  ================================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ================================

If-Match              Retrieve if ETags match

If-None-Match         Retrieve if ETags don't match

If-Modified-Since     Retrieve if object has changed since provided timestamp

If-Unmodified-Since   Retrieve if object has not changed since provided timestamp

====================  ================================

|

======================  ===================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ===================================

version                 Optional version identifier

======================  ===================================

|

==========================  ===============================

Reply Header Name           Value

==========================  ===============================

ETag                        The ETag of the object

Content-Length              The size of the object

Content-Type                The MIME content type of the object

Last-Modified               The last object modification date (regardless of version)

Content-Encoding            The encoding of the object (optional)

Content-Disposition         The presentation style of the object (optional)

X-Object-Version            The object's version identifier

X-Object-Version-Timestamp  The object's version timestamp

X-Object-Modified-By        The user that comitted the object's version

X-Object-Manifest           Object parts prefix in ``<container>/<object>`` form (optional)

X-Object-Sharing            Object permissions (optional)

X-Object-Shared-By          Object inheriting permissions (optional)

X-Object-Allowed-To         Allowed actions on object (optional)

X-Object-Public             Object's publicly accessible URI (optional)

X-Object-Meta-*             Optional user defined metadata

==========================  ===============================

|

================  ===============================

Return Code       Description

================  ===============================

200 (No Content)  The request succeeded

================  ===============================

GET

"""

====================  ================================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ================================

Range                 Optional range of data to retrieve

If-Range              Retrieve the missing part if entity is unchanged; otherwise, retrieve the entire new entity (used together with Range header)

If-Match              Retrieve if ETags match

If-None-Match         Retrieve if ETags don't match

If-Modified-Since     Retrieve if object has changed since provided timestamp

If-Unmodified-Since   Retrieve if object has not changed since provided timestamp

====================  ================================

|

======================  ===================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ===================================

format                  Optional extended reply type (can be ``json`` or ``xml``)

hashmap                 Optional request for hashmap (no value parameter)

version                 Optional version identifier or ``list`` (specify a format if requesting a list)

======================  ===================================

The reply is the object's data (or part of it), except if a hashmap is requested with ``hashmap``, or a version list with ``version=list`` (in both cases an extended reply format must be specified). Object headers (as in a ``HEAD`` request) are always included.

Hashmaps expose the underlying storage format of the object. Note that each hash is computed after trimming trailing null bytes of the corresponding block.

Example ``format=json`` reply:

::

  {"block_hash": "sha1", "hashes": ["7295c41da03d7f916440b98e32c4a2a39351546c", ...], "block_size": 131072, "bytes": 242}

Example ``format=xml`` reply:

::

  <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

  <object name="file" bytes="24223726" block_size="131072" block_hash="sha1">

    <hash>7295c41da03d7f916440b98e32c4a2a39351546c</hash>

    <hash>...</hash>

  </object>

Version lists include the version identifier and timestamp for each available object version. Version identifiers can be arbitrary strings, so use the timestamp to find newer versions.

Example ``format=json`` reply:

::

  {"versions": [[23, 1307700892], [28, 1307700898], ...]}

Example ``format=xml`` reply:

::

  <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

  <object name="file">

    <version timestamp="1307700892">23</version>

    <version timestamp="1307700898">28</version>

    <version timestamp="...">...</version>

  </object>

The ``Range`` header may include multiple ranges, as outlined in RFC2616. Then the ``Content-Type`` of the reply will be ``multipart/byteranges`` and each part will include a ``Content-Range`` header.

==========================  ===============================

Reply Header Name           Value

==========================  ===============================

ETag                        The ETag of the object

Content-Length              The size of the data returned

Content-Type                The MIME content type of the object

Content-Range               The range of data included (only on a single range request)

Last-Modified               The last object modification date (regardless of version)

Content-Encoding            The encoding of the object (optional)

Content-Disposition         The presentation style of the object (optional)

X-Object-Version            The object's version identifier

X-Object-Version-Timestamp  The object's version timestamp

X-Object-Modified-By        The user that comitted the object's version

X-Object-Manifest           Object parts prefix in ``<container>/<object>`` form (optional)

X-Object-Sharing            Object permissions (optional)

X-Object-Shared-By          Object inheriting permissions (optional)

X-Object-Allowed-To         Allowed actions on object (optional)

X-Object-Public             Object's publicly accessible URI (optional)

X-Object-Meta-*             Optional user defined metadata

==========================  ===============================

|

===========================  ==============================

Return Code                  Description

===========================  ==============================

200 (OK)                     The request succeeded

206 (Partial Content)        The range request succeeded

304 (Not Modified)           The object has not been modified

412 (Precondition Failed)    The condition set can not be satisfied

416 (Range Not Satisfiable)  The requested range is out of limits

===========================  ==============================

PUT

"""

====================  ================================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ================================

If-Match              Put if ETags match with current object

If-None-Match         Put if ETags don't match with current object

ETag                  The MD5 hash of the object (optional to check written data)

Content-Length        The size of the data written

Content-Type          The MIME content type of the object

Transfer-Encoding     Set to ``chunked`` to specify incremental uploading (if used, ``Content-Length`` is ignored)

X-Copy-From           The source path in the form ``/<container>/<object>``

X-Move-From           The source path in the form ``/<container>/<object>``

X-Source-Account      The source account to copy/move from

X-Source-Version      The source version to copy from

Content-Encoding      The encoding of the object (optional)

Content-Disposition   The presentation style of the object (optional)

X-Object-Manifest     Object parts prefix in ``<container>/<object>`` form (optional)

X-Object-Sharing      Object permissions (optional)

X-Object-Public       Object is publicly accessible (optional)

X-Object-Meta-*       Optional user defined metadata

====================  ================================

|

======================  ===================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ===================================

format                  Optional extended request type (can be ``json`` or ``xml``)

hashmap                 Optional hashmap provided instead of data (no value parameter)

======================  ===================================

The request is the object's data (or part of it), except if a hashmap is provided (using ``hashmap`` and ``format`` parameters). If using a hashmap and all different parts are stored in the server, the object is created, otherwise the server returns Conflict (409) with the list of the missing parts (in a simple text format, with one hash per line).

Hashmaps should be formatted as outlined in ``GET``.

==========================  ===============================

Reply Header Name           Value

==========================  ===============================

ETag                        The MD5 hash of the object (on create)

X-Object-Version            The object's new version

==========================  ===============================

The ``X-Object-Sharing`` header may include either a ``read=...`` comma-separated user/group list, or a ``write=...`` comma-separated user/group list, or both separated by a semicolon (``;``). Groups are specified as ``<account>:<group>``. To publish the object, set ``X-Object-Public`` to ``true``. To unpublish, set to ``false``, or use an empty header value.

==============================  ==============================

Return Code                     Description

==============================  ==============================

201 (Created)                   The object has been created

409 (Conflict)                  The object can not be created from the provided hashmap, or there are conflicting permissions (a list of missing hashes, or a list of conflicting sharing paths will be included in the reply - in simple text format)

411 (Length Required)           Missing ``Content-Length`` or ``Content-Type`` in the request

413 (Request Entity Too Large)  Insufficient quota to complete the request

422 (Unprocessable Entity)      The MD5 checksum of the data written to the storage system does not match the (optionally) supplied ETag value

==============================  ==============================

COPY

""""

====================  ================================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ================================

If-Match              Proceed if ETags match with object

If-None-Match         Proceed if ETags don't match with object

Destination           The destination path in the form ``/<container>/<object>``

Destination-Account   The destination account to copy to

Content-Type          The MIME content type of the object (optional)

Content-Encoding      The encoding of the object (optional)

Content-Disposition   The presentation style of the object (optional)

X-Source-Version      The source version to copy from

X-Object-Manifest     Object parts prefix in ``<container>/<object>`` form (optional)

X-Object-Sharing      Object permissions (optional)

X-Object-Public       Object is publicly accessible (optional)

X-Object-Meta-*       Optional user defined metadata

====================  ================================

Refer to ``PUT``/``POST`` for a description of request headers. Metadata is also copied, updated with any values defined. Sharing/publishing options are not copied.

==========================  ===============================

Reply Header Name           Value

==========================  ===============================

X-Object-Version            The object's new version

==========================  ===============================

|

==============================  ==============================

Return Code                     Description

==============================  ==============================

201 (Created)                   The object has been created

409 (Conflict)                  There are conflicting permissions (a list of conflicting sharing paths will be included in the reply - in simple text format)

413 (Request Entity Too Large)  Insufficient quota to complete the request

==============================  ==============================

MOVE

""""

Same as ``COPY``, without the ``X-Source-Version`` request header. The ``MOVE`` operation is always applied on the latest version.

POST

""""

====================  ================================

Request Header Name   Value

====================  ================================

If-Match              Proceed if ETags match with object

If-None-Match         Proceed if ETags don't match with object

Content-Length        The size of the data written (optional, to update)

Content-Type          The MIME content type of the object (optional, to update)

Content-Range         The range of data supplied (optional, to update)

Transfer-Encoding     Set to ``chunked`` to specify incremental uploading (if used, ``Content-Length`` is ignored)

Content-Encoding      The encoding of the object (optional)

Content-Disposition   The presentation style of the object (optional)

X-Source-Object       Update with data from the object at path ``/<container>/<object>`` (optional, to update)

X-Source-Account      The source account to update from

X-Source-Version      The source version to update from (optional, to update)

X-Object-Bytes        The updated object's final size (optional, when updating)

X-Object-Manifest     Object parts prefix in ``<container>/<object>`` form (optional)

X-Object-Sharing      Object permissions (optional)

X-Object-Public       Object is publicly accessible (optional)

X-Object-Meta-*       Optional user defined metadata

====================  ================================

|

======================  ============================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ============================================

update                  Do not replace metadata (no value parameter)

======================  ============================================

The ``Content-Encoding``, ``Content-Disposition``, ``X-Object-Manifest`` and ``X-Object-Meta-*`` headers are considered to be user defined metadata. An operation without the ``update`` parameter will overwrite all previous values and remove any keys not supplied. When using ``update`` any metadata with an empty value will be deleted.

To change permissions, include an ``X-Object-Sharing`` header (as defined in ``PUT``). To publish, include an ``X-Object-Public`` header, with a value of ``true``. If no such headers are defined, no changes will be applied to sharing/public. Use empty values to remove permissions/unpublish (unpublishing also works with ``false`` as a header value). Sharing options are applied to the object - not its versions.

To update an object's data:

* Either set ``Content-Type`` to ``application/octet-stream``, or provide an object with ``X-Source-Object``. If ``Content-Type`` has some other value, it will be ignored and only the metadata will be updated.

* If the data is supplied in the request (using ``Content-Type`` instead of ``X-Source-Object``), a valid ``Content-Length`` header is required - except if using chunked transfers (set ``Transfer-Encoding`` to ``chunked``).

* Set ``Content-Range`` as specified in RFC2616, with the following differences:

  * Client software MAY omit ``last-byte-pos`` of if the length of the range being transferred is unknown or difficult to determine.

  * Client software SHOULD not specify the ``instance-length`` (use a ``*``), unless there is a reason for performing a size check at the server.

* If ``Content-Range`` used has a ``byte-range-resp-spec = *``, data will be appended to the object.

Optionally, truncate the updated object to the desired length with the ``X-Object-Bytes`` header.

A data update will trigger an ETag change. Updated ETags correspond to the single Merkle hash of the object's hashmap (refer to http://bittorrent.org/beps/bep_0030.html for more information).

No reply content. No reply headers if only metadata is updated.

==========================  ===============================

Reply Header Name           Value

==========================  ===============================

ETag                        The new ETag of the object (data updated)

X-Object-Version            The object's new version

==========================  ===============================

|

==============================  ==============================

Return Code                     Description

==============================  ==============================

202 (Accepted)                  The request has been accepted (not a data update)

204 (No Content)                The request succeeded (data updated)

409 (Conflict)                  There are conflicting permissions (a list of conflicting sharing paths will be included in the reply - in simple text format)

411 (Length Required)           Missing ``Content-Length`` in the request

413 (Request Entity Too Large)  Insufficient quota to complete the request

416 (Range Not Satisfiable)     The supplied range is invalid

==============================  ==============================

The ``POST`` method can also be used for creating an object via a standard HTML form. If the request ``Content-Type`` is ``multipart/form-data``, none of the above headers will be processed. The form should have an ``X-Object-Data`` field, as in the following example. The token is passed as a request parameter. ::

  <form method="post" action="https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/folder/EXAMPLE.txt?X-Auth-Token=0000" enctype="multipart/form-data">

    <input type="file" name="X-Object-Data">

    <input type="submit">

  </form>

This will create/override the object with the given name, as if using ``PUT``. The ``Content-Type`` of the object will be set to the value of the corresponding header sent in the part of the request containing the data (usually, automatically handled by the browser). Metadata, sharing and other object attributes can not be set this way.

==========================  ===============================

Reply Header Name           Value

==========================  ===============================

ETag                        The MD5 hash of the object

X-Object-Version            The object's new version

==========================  ===============================

|

==============================  ==============================

Return Code                     Description

==============================  ==============================

201 (Created)                   The object has been created

413 (Request Entity Too Large)  Insufficient quota to complete the request

==============================  ==============================

DELETE

""""""

======================  ===================================

Request Parameter Name  Value

======================  ===================================

until                   Optional timestamp

======================  ===================================

If ``until`` is defined, the object is "purged" up to that time (the history up to then is deleted).

No reply content/headers.

===========================  ==============================

Return Code                  Description

===========================  ==============================

204 (No Content)             The request succeeded

===========================  ==============================

Sharing and Public Objects

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Read and write control in Pithos is managed by setting appropriate permissions with the ``X-Object-Sharing`` header. The permissions are applied using prefix-based inheritance. Thus, each set of authorization directives is applied to all objects sharing the same prefix with the object where the corresponding ``X-Object-Sharing`` header is defined. For simplicity, nested/overlapping permissions are not allowed. Setting ``X-Object-Sharing`` will fail, if the object is already "covered", or another object with a longer common-prefix name already has permissions. When retrieving an object, the ``X-Object-Shared-By`` header reports where it gets its permissions from. If not present, the object is the actual source of authorization directives.

A user may ``GET`` another account or container. The result will include a limited reply, containing only the allowed containers or objects respectively. A top-level request with an authentication token, will return a list of allowed accounts, so the user can easily find out which other users share objects. The ``X-Object-Allowed-To`` header lists the actions allowed on an object, if it does not belong to the requesting user.

Objects that are marked as public, via the ``X-Object-Public`` meta, are also available at the corresponding URI returned for ``HEAD`` or ``GET``. Requests for public objects do not need to include an ``X-Auth-Token``. Pithos will ignore request parameters and only include the following headers in the reply (all ``X-Object-*`` meta is hidden):

==========================  ===============================

Reply Header Name           Value

==========================  ===============================

ETag                        The ETag of the object

Content-Length              The size of the data returned

Content-Type                The MIME content type of the object

Content-Range               The range of data included (only on a single range request)

Last-Modified               The last object modification date (regardless of version)

Content-Encoding            The encoding of the object (optional)

Content-Disposition         The presentation style of the object (optional)

==========================  ===============================

Public objects are not included and do not influence cross-user listings. They are, however, readable by all users.

Summary

^^^^^^^

List of differences from the OOS API:

* Support for ``X-Account-Meta-*`` style headers at the account level. Use ``POST`` to update.

* Support for ``X-Container-Meta-*`` style headers at the container level. Can be set when creating via ``PUT``. Use ``POST`` to update.

* Header ``X-Container-Object-Meta`` at the container level and parameter ``meta`` in container listings. (**TBD**)

* Account and container policies to manage behavior and limits. Container behavior overrides account settings. Account quota sets the maximum bytes limit, regardless of container values.

* Headers ``X-Container-Block-*`` at the container level, exposing the underlying storage characteristics.

* All metadata replies, at all levels, include latest modification information.

* At all levels, a ``HEAD`` or ``GET`` request may use ``If-Modified-Since`` and ``If-Unmodified-Since`` headers.

* Container/object lists include all associated metadata if the reply is of type json/xml. Some names are kept to their OOS API equivalents for compatibility.

* Option to include only shared containers/objects in listings.

* Object metadata allowed, in addition to ``X-Object-Meta-*``: ``Content-Encoding``, ``Content-Disposition``, ``X-Object-Manifest``. These are all replaced with every update operation, except if using the ``update`` parameter (in which case individual keys can also be deleted). Deleting meta by providing empty values also works when copying/moving an object.

* Multi-range object ``GET`` support as outlined in RFC2616.

* Object hashmap retrieval through ``GET`` and the ``format`` parameter.

* Object create via hashmap through ``PUT`` and the ``format`` parameter.

* Object create using ``POST`` to support standard HTML forms.

* Partial object updates through ``POST``, using the ``Content-Length``, ``Content-Type``, ``Content-Range`` and ``Transfer-Encoding`` headers. Use another object's data to update with ``X-Source-Object`` and ``X-Source-Version``. Truncate with ``X-Object-Bytes``. New ETag corresponds to the Merkle hash of the object's hashmap.

* Include new version identifier in replies for object replace/change requests.

* Object ``MOVE`` support.

* Conditional object create/update operations, using ``If-Match`` and ``If-None-Match`` headers.

* Time-variant account/container listings via the ``until`` parameter.

* Object versions - parameter ``version`` in ``HEAD``/``GET`` (list versions with ``GET``), ``X-Object-Version-*`` meta in replies, ``X-Source-Version`` in ``PUT``/``COPY``.

* Sharing/publishing with ``X-Object-Sharing``, ``X-Object-Public`` at the object level. Cross-user operations are allowed - controlled by sharing directives. Available actions in cross-user requests are reported with ``X-Object-Allowed-To``. Permissions may include groups defined with ``X-Account-Group-*`` at the account level. These apply to the object - not its versions.

* Support for prefix-based inheritance when enforcing permissions. Parent object carrying the authorization directives is reported in ``X-Object-Shared-By``.

* Copy and move between accounts with ``X-Source-Account`` and ``Destination-Account`` headers.

* Large object support with ``X-Object-Manifest``.

* Trace the user that created/modified an object with ``X-Object-Modified-By``.

* Purge container/object history with the ``until`` parameter in ``DELETE``.

Clarifications/suggestions:

* Authentication is done by another system. The token is used in the same way, but it is obtained differently. The top level ``GET`` request is kept compatible with the OOS API and allows for guest/testing operations.

* Some processing is done in the variable part of all ``X-*-Meta-*`` headers. If it includes underscores, they will be converted to dashes and the first letter of all intra-dash strings will be capitalized.

* A ``GET`` reply for a level will include all headers of the corresponding ``HEAD`` request.

* To avoid conflicts between objects and virtual directory markers in container listings, it is recommended that object names do not end with the delimiter used.

* The ``Accept`` header may be used in requests instead of the ``format`` parameter to specify the desired request/reply format. The parameter overrides the header.

* Container/object lists use a ``200`` return code if the reply is of type json/xml. The reply will include an empty json/xml.

* In headers, dates are formatted according to RFC 1123. In extended information listings, the ``last_modified`` field is formatted according to ISO 8601 (for OOS API compatibility). All other fields (Pithos extensions) use integer tiemstamps.

* The ``Last-Modified`` header value always reflects the actual latest change timestamp, regardless of time control parameters and version requests. Time precondition checks with ``If-Modified-Since`` and ``If-Unmodified-Since`` headers are applied to this value.

* A copy/move using ``PUT``/``COPY``/``MOVE`` will always update metadata, keeping all old values except the ones redefined in the request headers.

* A ``HEAD`` or ``GET`` for an ``X-Object-Manifest`` object, will include modified ``Content-Length`` and ``ETag`` headers, according to the characteristics of the objects under the specified prefix. The ``Etag`` will be the MD5 hash of the corresponding ETags concatenated. In extended container listings there is no metadata processing.

The Pithos Client

-----------------

User Experience

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hopefully this API will allow for a multitude of client implementations, each supporting a different device or operating system. All clients will be able to manipulate containers and objects - even software only designed for OOS API compatibility. But a Pithos interface should not be only about showing containers and folders. There are some extra user interface elements and functionalities that should be common to all implementations.

Upon entrance to the service, a user is presented with the following elements - which can be represented as folders or with other related icons:

* The ``home`` element, which is used as the default entry point to the user's "files". Objects under ``home`` are represented in the usual hierarchical organization of folders and files.

* The ``trash`` element, which contains files that have been marked for deletion, but can still be recovered.

* The ``shared`` element, which contains all objects shared by the user to other users of the system.

* The ``others`` element, which contains all objects that other users share with the user.

* The ``groups`` element, which contains the names of groups the user has defined. Each group consists of a user list. Group creation, deletion, and manipulation is carried out by actions originating here.

* The ``history`` element, which allows browsing past instances of ``home`` and - optionally - ``trash``.

Objects in Pithos can be:

* Moved to trash and then deleted.

* Shared with specific permissions.

* Made public (shared with non-Pithos users).

* Restored from previous versions.

Some of these functions are performed by the client software and some by the Pithos server.

In the first version of Pithos, objects could also be assigned custom tags. This is no longer supported. Existing deployments can migrate tags into a specific metadata value, i.e. ``X-Object-Meta-Tags``.

Implementation Guidelines

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Pithos clients should use the ``pithos`` and ``trash`` containers for active and inactive objects respectively. If any of these containers is not found, the client software should create it, without interrupting the user's workflow. The ``home`` element corresponds to ``pithos`` and the ``trash`` element to ``trash``. Use ``PUT`` with the ``X-Move-From`` header, or ``MOVE`` to transfer objects from one container to the other. Use ``DELETE`` to remove from ``pithos`` without trashing, or to remove from ``trash``. When moving objects, detect naming conflicts with the ``If-Match`` or ``If-None-Match`` headers. Such conflicts should be resolved by the user.

Object names should use the ``/`` delimiter to impose a hierarchy of folders and files.

The ``shared`` element should be implemented as a read-only view of the ``pithos`` container, using the ``shared`` parameter when listing objects. The ``others`` element, should start with a top-level ``GET`` to retrieve the list of accounts accessible to the user. It is suggested that the client software hides the next step of navigation - the container - if it only includes ``pithos`` and forwards the user directly to the objects.

Public objects are not included in ``shared`` and ``others`` listings. It is suggested that they are marked in a visually distinctive way in ``pithos`` listings (for example using an icon overlay).

A special application menu, or a section in application preferences, should be devoted to managing groups (the ``groups`` element). All group-related actions are implemented at the account level.

Browsing past versions of objects should be available both at the object and the container level. At the object level, a list of past versions can be included in the screen showing details or more information on the object (metadata, permissions, etc.). At the container level, it is suggested that clients use a ``history`` element, which presents to the user a read-only, time-variable view of ``pithos`` contents. This can be accomplished via the ``until`` parameter in listings. Optionally, ``history`` may include ``trash``.

Uploading and downloading data

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

By using hashmaps to upload and download objects the corresponding operations can complete much faster.

In the case of an upload, only the missing blocks will be submitted to the server:

* Calculate the hash value for each block of the object to be uploaded. Use the hash algorithm and block size of the destination container.

* Send a hashmap ``PUT`` request for the object.

  * Server responds with status ``201`` (Created):

    * Blocks are already on the server. The object has been created. Done.

  * Server responds with status ``409`` (Conflict):

    * Server's response body contains the hashes of the blocks that do not exist on the server.

    * For each hash value in the server's response (or all hashes together):

      * Send a ``POST`` request to the destination container with the corresponding data.

* Repeat hashmap ``PUT``. Fail if the server's response is not ``201``.

Consulting hashmaps when downloading allows for resuming partially transferred objects. The client should retrieve the hashmap from the server and compare it with the hashmap computed from the respective local file. Any missing parts can be downloaded with ``GET`` requests with the additional ``Range`` header.

Syncing

^^^^^^^

Consider the following algorithm for synchronizing a local folder with the server. The "state" is the complete object listing, with the corresponding attributes.

::

  L: local state (stored state from last sync with the server)

  C: current state (state computed right before sync)

  S: server state

  if C == L:

      # No local changes

      if S == L:

          # No remote changes, nothing to do

      else:

          # Update local state to match that of the server

         L = S

  else:

      # We have local changes

      if S == L:

          # No remote changes, update the server

          S = C

          L = S

      else:

          # Both we and server have changes

          if C == S:

              # We were lucky, we did the same change

              L = S

          else:

              # We have conflicting changes

              resolve conflict

Notes:

* States represent file hashes (either MD5 or Merkle). Deleted or non-existing files are assumed to have a magic hash (e.g. empty string).

* Updating a state (either local or remote) implies downloading, uploading or deleting the appropriate file.

Recommended Practices and Examples

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Assuming an authentication token is obtained, the following high-level operations are available - shown with ``curl``:

* Get account information ::

    curl -X HEAD -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user

* List available containers ::

    curl -X GET -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user

* Get container information ::

    curl -X HEAD -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/pithos

* Add a new container ::

    curl -X PUT -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/test

* Delete a container ::

    curl -X DELETE -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/test

* List objects in a container ::

    curl -X GET -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/pithos

* List objects in a container (extended reply) ::

    curl -X GET -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/pithos?format=json

  It is recommended that extended replies are cached and subsequent requests utilize the ``If-Modified-Since`` header.

* List metadata keys used by objects in a container

  Will be in the ``X-Container-Object-Meta`` reply header, included in container information or object list (``HEAD`` or ``GET``). (**TBD**)

* List objects in a container having a specific meta defined ::

    curl -X GET -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/pithos?meta=favorites

* Retrieve an object ::

    curl -X GET -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/pithos/README.txt

* Retrieve an object (specific ranges of data) ::

    curl -X GET -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         -H "Range: bytes=0-9" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/pithos/README.txt

  This will return the first 10 bytes. To get the first 10, bytes 30-39 and the last 100 use ``Range: bytes=0-9,30-39,-100``.

* Add a new object (folder type) (**TBD**) ::

    curl -X PUT -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         -H "Content-Type: application/folder" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/pithos/folder

* Add a new object ::

    curl -X PUT -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         -H "Content-Type: text/plain" \

         -T EXAMPLE.txt

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/pithos/folder/EXAMPLE.txt

* Update an object ::

    curl -X POST -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         -H "Content-Length: 10" \

         -H "Content-Type: application/octet-stream" \

         -H "Content-Range: bytes 10-19/*" \

         -d "0123456789" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/folder/EXAMPLE.txt

  This will update bytes 10-19 with the data specified.

* Update an object (append) ::

    curl -X POST -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         -H "Content-Length: 10" \

         -H "Content-Type: application/octet-stream" \

         -H "Content-Range: bytes */*" \

         -d "0123456789" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/folder/EXAMPLE.txt

* Update an object (truncate) ::

    curl -X POST -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         -H "X-Source-Object: /folder/EXAMPLE.txt" \

         -H "Content-Range: bytes 0-0/*" \

         -H "X-Object-Bytes: 0" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/folder/EXAMPLE.txt

  This will truncate the object to 0 bytes.

* Add object metadata ::

    curl -X POST -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         -H "X-Object-Meta-First: first_meta_value" \

         -H "X-Object-Meta-Second: second_meta_value" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/folder/EXAMPLE.txt

* Delete object metadata ::

    curl -X POST -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         -H "X-Object-Meta-First: first_meta_value" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/folder/EXAMPLE.txt

  Metadata can only be "set". To delete ``X-Object-Meta-Second``, reset all metadata.

* Delete an object ::

    curl -X DELETE -D - \

         -H "X-Auth-Token: 0000" \

         https://pithos.dev.grnet.gr/v1/user/folder/EXAMPLE.txt