Using a Unix-based file system to manage and serve clones to windows-based computing clients

A system for using a first file system in a computing environment that is based on a second file system, the system comprising:

• a first computing device for managing storage space under a first file system, wherein the first computing device executes a first operating system, and
• wherein the first computing device is in communication with a block storage array comprising the storage space managed under the first file system by the first computing device;
• a second computing device in communication with the first computing device, wherein the second computing device executes a second operating system that is incompatible with the first operating system and uses a second file system that differs from the first file system;
• wherein the first computing device is configured to:
• configure in the block storage array a first volume as a Unix-based Z file system (ZFS) pool,
• configure a second volume within the ZFS pool, and
• present the second volume configured within the ZFS pool as a first logical unit number (LUN) to the second computing device that uses the second file system;
• and
• wherein the second computing device is configured to:
• mount the first LUN as block data storage,
• access the second volume mounted as the first LUN via the first computing device,
• format the second volume mounted as the first LUN according to the second file system, which includes storing metadata to the second volume,
• wherein the second computing device lacks an indication that the second volume is configured within the ZFS pool, and
• obtain native file system access to data stored in the second volume configured within the ZFS pool without protocol conversion by the first computing device between the second file system and the first file system.

A system for using a Unix-based Z file system (ZFS file system) in a Windows-based computing environment, the system comprising:

• a Unix-based computing device for using the Unix-based ZFS file system to manage storage space on a block storage array;
• wherein the Unix-based computing device is configured to:
• execute the Unix-based ZFS file system,
• using the Unix-based ZFS file system, configure a first volume on the block storage array,
• mount the first volume as a ZFS pool,
• using the Unix-based ZFS file system, configure a second volume within the ZFS pool on the block storage array, and
• present the second volume as a block storage device identified by a first logical unit number (LUN) to a first Windows-based computing device that is communicatively coupled to the Unix-based computing device;
• and
• wherein the first Windows-based computing device is configured to:
• execute a Windows-based file system,
• mount the first logical unit number (LUN) as block data storage,
• access via the Unix-based computing device the second volume presented as the first LUN, and
• obtain native Windows-based access to data stored in the second volume according to the Windows-based file system, wherein the second volume is configured by the Unix-based computing device within the ZFS pool, and wherein the native Windows-based access is obtained without protocol conversion between the Windows-based file system and the Unix-based ZFS file system.