Distributed File Systems and NFS Integration

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of a Distributed File System (DFS)?

To encrypt files stored on local disks

To provide a graphical interface for file management

To store files only on a single server

To allow clients to access files as if they were local while distributing them across multiple servers (correct)

Which protocol allows computers to access files over a network similarly to local disk access?

Network File System (NFS) (correct)

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)

File Transfer Protocol (FTP)

Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

What is a key characteristic of the Network File System (NFS)?

Each client request contains all the necessary information (correct)

It retains the client's session information

It operates on a stateful protocol

It only works on Microsoft systems

In the context of Unix File System (UFS), what does an inode represent?

A metadata structure storing information about a file Signup and view all the answers

What role does the superblock play in Unix File System (UFS)?

It contains metadata about the entire file system. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in developing a Distributed File System (DFS) with NFS and UFS integration?

Deploying a DFS to interconnect servers across the network Signup and view all the answers

In the integration of NFS in a DFS, what is the main function of NFS?

To facilitate client requests for files from the DFS Signup and view all the answers

What does file replication in a Distributed File System (DFS) provide?

Redundancy and fault tolerance in file access Signup and view all the answers

What role does NFS play in the distributed file system setup?

It allows clients to access files as if they are local. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the function of DFS in this system?

DFS ensures distributed file management and replication across servers. Signup and view all the answers

What type of storage does each server use to manage files locally?

UFS Signup and view all the answers

Why is the use of DFS beneficial for a distributed file system?

It allows for seamless access and replication across multiple servers. Signup and view all the answers

In this system, how do clients access files stored on different servers?

By using the NFS protocol. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of NFS in relation to server files?

It presents remote files as local files to the clients. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of employing UFS within each server?

To store and manage files locally on the server. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best captures the relationship between NFS, DFS, and UFS?

DFS manages the distribution of files, while NFS allows client access and UFS manages local storage. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Distributed File System (DFS)

DFS allows multiple clients to access files on a network, even if files are on different servers.
Presents a single view of files, regardless of physical location.
Offers transparency, replication, fault tolerance, and scalability.

Network File System (NFS)

NFS is a protocol for accessing files over a network.
Developed by Sun Microsystems.
Widely used on Unix and Linux systems.
Uses server-client model.
Clients request file operations, servers process the requests.
Stateless protocol: each request contains all the information the server needs.

Unix File System (UFS)

Traditional file system for Unix operating systems.
Organizes and manages data on disk.
Handles file storage and retrieval.
Uses inodes, directories, and superblocks to manage files.

DFS Development with NFS and UFS Integration

DFS architecture: Interconnected servers, distributed file storage with replication and failover.
NFS integration: Clients use NFS to access files, NFS interacts with DFS to locate and retrieve files from servers.
UFS storage: Each server uses UFS to store its files locally, UFS handles file organization on individual servers.

Workflow

NFS clients request files.
DFS locates and retrieves files from the appropriate server.
Each server's UFS manages local file storage.

Summary

NFS enables clients to view files as local, even if they are distributed.
UFS manages file storage locally on each server.
DFS provides distributed file management, fault tolerance, and replication across servers.

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Description

Explore the concepts and functionalities of Distributed File Systems (DFS), Network File System (NFS), and Unix File System (UFS). Understand how these systems provide file access and management across networks, ensuring scalability, transparency, and fault tolerance. Dive into the architectural aspects of combining these file systems for enhanced performance.