Network File System (NFS): Difference between revisions

From COMP15212 Wiki
gravatar Yuron [userbureaucratinterface-adminsysopPHRhYmxlIGNsYXNzPSJ0d3BvcHVwIj48dHI+PHRkIGNsYXNzPSJ0d3BvcHVwLWVudHJ5dGl0bGUiPkdyb3Vwczo8L3RkPjx0ZD51c2VyPGJyIC8+YnVyZWF1Y3JhdDxiciAvPmludGVyZmFjZS1hZG1pbjxiciAvPnN5c29wPGJyIC8+PC90ZD48L3RyPjwvdGFibGU+] (talk | contribs)
m (1 revision imported)
pc>Yuron
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
{{#set: Priority=2 | Summary=A file system can use different storage 'devices' including remote, networked machines.}}<!--
{{#set: Priority=2 | Summary=A file system can use different storage 'devices' including remote, networked machines.}}<!--
-->{{#invoke:Dependencies|add|Filing System,3}}
-->{{#invoke:Dependencies|add|Filing System,3}}
With a suitable protocol, a reference to a file can be diverted into
With a suitable protocol, a reference to a file can be diverted into an exchange of messages on a client-server basis.  A machine which is acting as an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_File_System NFS] server can thus make some (or all) of its local files available to remote machines.
an exchange of messages on a client-server basis.  A machine which is
acting as an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_File_System NFS]
server can thus make some (or all) of its local files available to
remote machines.


Although it is convenient to think of a client-server relationship in
Although it is convenient to think of a client-server relationship in a given transaction, NFS provides both services, so machines can share as peers.
a given transaction, NFS provides both services, so machines can share
as peers.


In a Unix(-like) system, some parts of ‘remote’ file trees
In a Unix(-like) system, some parts of ‘remote’ file trees will be <em>mounted</em> into the local machine’s file hierarchy.  These do not, of course, have to appear in the same place in every machine (although it is tidier not to make every machine different!).  A local example would be your University ‘home’ file-store which needs to appear on whichever machine you choose to sit at.
will be <em>mounted</em> into the local machine’s file hierarchy.  These do
not, of course, have to appear in the same place in every machine
(although it is tidier not to make every machine different!).  A local
example would be your University ‘home’ file-store which
needs to appear on whichever machine you choose to sit at.
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
On the other hand some files – such as most commonly used binaries
On the other hand some files – such as most commonly used binaries – are kept on a local disk (i.e. copied onto every machine) … for reasons which should be obvious if you think about it.
– are kept on a local disk (i.e. copied onto every machine) … for
reasons which should be obvious if you think about it.
</blockquote>
</blockquote>
Not all the machines on a network will run the same operating system.
Not all the machines on a network will run the same operating system. Thus it is not always possible to support every facility which may be available locally, although most modern filing systems have a great deal of commonality.
Thus it is not always possible to support every facility which may be
available locally, although most modern filing systems have a great
deal of commonality.
<!-- ** TODO ** Maybe expand this somewhat in the future?? ** -->
<!-- ** TODO ** Maybe expand this somewhat in the future?? ** -->
----
----
 
{{BookChapter|15.8|610-615}}
{{PageGraph}}
{{PageGraph}}
{{Category|Filing System}}
{{Category|Filing System}}
{{Category|User}}
{{Category|User}}

Revision as of 15:25, 2 August 2019

Depends on Filing System

With a suitable protocol, a reference to a file can be diverted into an exchange of messages on a client-server basis. A machine which is acting as an NFS server can thus make some (or all) of its local files available to remote machines.

Although it is convenient to think of a client-server relationship in a given transaction, NFS provides both services, so machines can share as peers.

In a Unix(-like) system, some parts of ‘remote’ file trees will be mounted into the local machine’s file hierarchy. These do not, of course, have to appear in the same place in every machine (although it is tidier not to make every machine different!). A local example would be your University ‘home’ file-store which needs to appear on whichever machine you choose to sit at.

On the other hand some files – such as most commonly used binaries – are kept on a local disk (i.e. copied onto every machine) … for reasons which should be obvious if you think about it.

Not all the machines on a network will run the same operating system. Thus it is not always possible to support every facility which may be available locally, although most modern filing systems have a great deal of commonality.


Also refer to: Operating System Concepts, 10th Edition: Chapter 15.8, pages 610-615


Articles on User
"Everything is a File" • Application Binary Interface (ABI) • Arrays • Boot • Buffer Overflow • Containers • Daemons • Disk Partition • Dynamic Memory Allocation • Emulator traps • Environment Variables • Errors • Exceptions • File Attributes • File Locking • File Permissions • Introduction to Operating Systems • Journalling File System • Links • Locks • Man(ual pages in Unix) • Memory Mapped Files • Monitoring • Network File System (NFS) • PATH • Pipes • Pointers • Relocatable Code • Reset • SETUID • Shell • Sockets • Spooling and Buffering • Streams • Structures • Superuser • System Calls • Unix Signals • User • Using Peripherals