File System
EDS implements a virtual file system that sits on top of your physical storage nodes.
Virtual vs Physical
In a traditional storage system, a folder in your UI corresponds to a folder on your disk. In EDS, the hierarchy is virtual.
- Virtual Path: The path you see in the EDS dashboard (e.g.,
/projects/photos/beach.jpg). - Physical Location: The file's actual ID and location on a specific Google Drive node.
This abstraction allows EDS to move files between nodes or rename folders instantly without actually moving large amounts of data across accounts.
Folders
Folders in EDS are database records that store a name, a parentId, and a path. They are used to organize files in the dashboard and via the API.
Auto-Creation
When using the External API, if you specify a folderPath that doesn't exist, EDS will automatically create the entire folder hierarchy for you.
Files
Files are associated with a specific storage node and a virtual folder. Each file record contains:
- Name: The display name in EDS.
- Size: The actual size in bytes.
- MIME Type: The file format (e.g.,
image/jpeg). - Google Drive ID: The unique identifier on the storage node.
- Node ID: Reference to the storage node where the file resides.
Activity Logs
Every operation in the file system is logged for auditability:
CREATE_FOLDERDELETE_FOLDERUPLOAD_INIT(When an upload starts)UPLOAD_COMPLETE(When a file is successfully stored)DELETE_FILE