Distributed File Systems

Synonyms

Network file systems; Parallel file systems

Definition

Distributed file systems (DFS) use a network protocol to allow multiple clients to transparently share access to files which are stored in a distributed fashion on one or more machines and multiple storage devices typically connected in a Local Area Network (LAN). Ideally, a DFS should be a natural extension of the local file system, hiding any implementation details of its distributed nature from the clients of the file system. Similar to a local file system, a DFS allows clients to access files at byte boundaries. It also provides the following features: primitive file system APIs including but not limited to open(), close(), read(), and write() mechanisms to restrict access to files and directories by implementing security and permissions and a global namespace for local and remote files. Files in a DFS are sometimes replicatedfor added redundancy, availability, and fault tolerance in the presence of hardware,...