What is a network file system?

The network file system, sometimes called the distributed file system, is the organization and storage method and folders in a way that includes multiple computers connected via the network. This allows many computers to access the same data and can also allow data to spread to more than one device. There are several types of network file systems, each with slightly different abilities and purposes.

virtually any type of device used to read or record computer data, from hard drives to record compact discs, uses the file system to organize and store information. Although most share several common features, file systems differ greatly in their design, intended use and abilities. In most cases, the file system is limited to a single physical device such as a hard drive. Each device or disk on your computer has its own file system. The network system of the network file has an insulated source such as the hard disk inside the computer for othercomputers in the network.

File system sharing in the network can have many advantages. Files on one computer can be easily shared with other computers and users can easily replace information or work on projects. In many cases, it is also possible to "attach" network resources to users and installed computer applications to appear a shared source no different from the local source. For example, a folder containing a bookmark of music or a web browser could be stored on one computer and shared with several others to synchronized information. In some network environments, the entire user's home folder is shared using a network file system, allowing user data to be available from virtually any network point.

Since the beginning of the 80s, a number of network file systems have been created. Sun Microsystems® has developed a protocol known as a network file (NFS) since 1985; It is commonly used in Linux and Unix® file servers. Microsoft® offers a product known as the DFS distributed system that allows you to use a popular server sharing protocol in Windows® in network files. The aim of Andrew (AFS) is to provide a system of network files at business levels with new features and secure authentication by Kerberos, while Secure Shell Filesystem (SSHFS) uses a long -term secure Shell protocol to achieve a similar goal. Google and Yahoo! ® To store huge amounts of data on thousands of individual hard drives use Google (GFS) and distributed HDFS files) using Google® and Yahoo! ® to store a huge amount of data on thousands of individual hard drives.