Hadoop Distributed File System
The Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) is a key component of the Apache Hadoop framework, designed to store large volumes of data across multiple machines. It breaks down files into smaller blocks, typically 128 MB or 256 MB in size, and distributes these blocks across a cluster of computers. This distribution allows for efficient data processing and fault tolerance, as the system can continue to operate even if some machines fail.
HDFS is optimized for high-throughput access to large datasets, making it suitable for big data applications. It uses a master-slave architecture, where a single NameNode manages the metadata and file system namespace, while multiple DataNodes store the actual data blocks. This structure enables scalability and reliability in data storage.