Description: The metadata cache in distributed storage systems is a temporary storage area designed to improve access speed to metadata, which are data that describe other data. In such systems, metadata is crucial for managing objects, blocks, and files, as it allows systems to identify, organize, and access information efficiently. This cache acts as an intermediary between disk-based metadata storage and access requests, temporarily storing the most frequently used metadata. By doing so, it reduces latency and enhances overall system performance, allowing read and write operations to be executed more quickly. The implementation of a metadata cache is especially relevant in environments that handle large volumes of data and require fast response times, such as in big data applications, virtualization, and cloud services. In summary, the metadata cache is an essential feature that optimizes information access, ensuring efficient and scalable performance in distributed storage systems.
