README.md

Virtual Random File

This is a tool to generate virtual file filled with random data that can be used for test purposes, especiall when you are limited by disk space or disk bandwidth. Data in the virutal file is generated by the time it is read, so there is no memory overhead or disk usage at all. The data is generated based on offset, so no matter how many times you accessed the file, you can always expect the same data as long as the offset is the same.

Getting Started on Linux

1. Install FUSE3

   on CentOS/Fedora/REHL:

   yum install fuse3 fuse3-devel

   or on Ubuntu/Debian:

   apt-get install fuse3 libfuse3-dev

2. Build

   Navigate into source folder

   mkdir build
   cd build
   cmake .. -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release
   cmake --build .

3. Run

   For example, we want to create a 20TB virtual file.

   mkdir mountpoint
   ./vrfs 20TB mountpoint

Getting Started on Windows

1. Install WinFsp

   When installing WinFsp make sure to choose "Developer" to ensure that all necessary header and library files are included in the installation.

2. Build

   Navigate into source folder

   mkdir build
   cd build
   cmake .. -A x64
   cmake --build . --config Release

3. Run

   For example, we want to create a 20TB virtual file and mount it onto an unsed drive F:

   vrfs 20TB F:

Getting Started on macOS

I've never tried to run it on macOS, but it should be the same as on Linux because there's this FUSE for macOS project.