Network File System Joe Paulowskey Joe Paulowskey Susan Mulholland Joe Woulfe

Background of NFS Abbreviation of Network File System Abbreviation of Network File System Is a client/server application designed by Sun Microsystems Is a client/server application designed by Sun Microsystems NFS allows all network users to access shared files stored on computers of different types. NFS allows all network users to access shared files stored on computers of different types. NFS provides access to shared files through an interface called the Virtual File System (VFS) that runs on top of TCP/IP. NFS provides access to shared files through an interface called the Virtual File System (VFS) that runs on top of TCP/IP.

Cont. Background Users can manipulate shared files as if they were stored locally on the user's own hard disk. Users can manipulate shared files as if they were stored locally on the user's own hard disk. With NFS, computers connected to a network operate as clients while accessing remote files, and as servers while providing remote users access to local shared files. With NFS, computers connected to a network operate as clients while accessing remote files, and as servers while providing remote users access to local shared files. The NFS standards are publicly available and widely used. The NFS standards are publicly available and widely used.

Setting Up the NFS Server

Setting Up Configuration Files /etc/rc.conf /etc/rc.conf The file rc.conf determines which services should be started up at system initial boot time. The file rc.conf determines which services should be started up at system initial boot time. /etc/exports /etc/exports /etc/exports file contains an entry for each directory that can be exported to NFS clients /etc/exports file contains an entry for each directory that can be exported to NFS clients

rc.conf on Server /etc/rc.conf /etc/rc.conf Insert the following into rc.conf Insert the following into rc.conf –portmap_enable=“YES” This daemon allows NFS clients to discover which port the NFS server is using. This daemon allows NFS clients to discover which port the NFS server is using. –nfs_server_enable=“YES” This lets the computer know that this is the NFS server This lets the computer know that this is the NFS server –mountd_flags=“-r” Carries out requests from NFS clients passed by nfsd which services the requests Carries out requests from NFS clients passed by nfsd which services the requests

/etc/exports Contains a list of entries Contains a list of entries –each entry indicates a volume that is shared and how it is shared. –What to include? Directory –maproot=0 client1 client2 … Directory –maproot=0 client1 client2 … -maproot=0 flag allows the root user on the remote system to write to the shared file system as root -maproot=0 flag allows the root user on the remote system to write to the shared file system as root –Example Entry /usr/home –maproot= … /usr/home –maproot= …

Verifying that NFS is running type in the command type in the command –showmount –e Displays all the exports on a given server Displays all the exports on a given server

Setting Up an NFS Client

Files That Need to be Modified on the Client /etc/rc.conf /etc/rc.conf /etc/fstab /etc/fstab

rc.conf on Client Located in /etc/rc.conf Located in /etc/rc.conf nfs_client_enable=“YES” nfs_client_enable=“YES” –Lets the computer know that this computer is an NFS client

Mounting Remote Directories to mount the remote directory simply type: to mount the remote directory simply type: –mount :/usr/home /usr/home (while being the root user) to unmount type to unmount type –unmount /mnt/home

Entries in /etc/fstab Directory – where to mount to Directory – where to mount to File - describes the mount point for the file system File - describes the mount point for the file system Type – type of file system (nfs) Type – type of file system (nfs) Options – rw, ro, xx Options – rw, ro, xx Backup Frequency - Reserved for possible use by future backups Backup Frequency - Reserved for possible use by future backups Pass Number - If there is more than one file system, then the pass number can be used to specify the order in which they are checked Pass Number - If there is more than one file system, then the pass number can be used to specify the order in which they are checked

Getting NFS File Systems to be Mounted at Boot Time Go to the file /etc/fstab Go to the file /etc/fstab – :/usr/home /mnt nfs rw 0 0 Create the file Create the file –Mkdir /usr/Home To check the mounting To check the mounting –Mount –vat nfs

NFS on the MAC

NFS Client on Mac OS NetInfo Manager NetInfo Manager –Located in /Applications/Utilities/ –Click on the most left directory (/) –Click on Directory and then select New Subdirectory

Mac OS (cont.) After Creating a new directory click on new_directory After Creating a new directory click on new_directory Rename the directory to mounts (if it is not already there) Rename the directory to mounts (if it is not already there)

Mac OS (cont.) Click on mounts in the browser and add a new directory Click on mounts in the browser and add a new directory Click on new_directory and enter Click on new_directory and enter –nfsserver:/exported/path After you click on mounts you want to go to Directory and select the New Property command After you click on mounts you want to go to Directory and select the New Property command –Create 3 New Properties

MAC OS (cont) Rename Each of the three properties Rename Each of the three properties Save the settings Save the settings

References cles/Adding_Com_Port/root- password/NFS/nfs.html cles/Adding_Com_Port/root- password/NFS/nfs.html cles/Adding_Com_Port/root- password/NFS/nfs.html cles/Adding_Com_Port/root- password/NFS/nfs.html ystem ystem ystem ystem owto/client/ owto/client/ owto/client/ owto/client/