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What is a Distributed File System
Replay
(DFS)?
Networking File System Data Storage
A Distributed File System (DFS) is a file system
that is distributed on multiple file servers or
multiple locations. It makes the programs to
access or to store isolated files with the local ones,
allowing programmers to access files from any
network or computer. It manages files and folders
on different computers. It is mainly designed to
provide file storage and access controlled to files
over LAN and WAN.
A DFS is also called a client-server architecture
based application, which allows the user or clients
to access the data from the server as it is stored in
their own computer. It provides location
transparency and redundancy help to improve the
data availability. And also use data replication
strategy on multiple servers to prevent data
access failure.
The challenges associated with them
compared to traditional file systems are as
follows −
Data redundancy and inconsistency.
Difficulty in accessing data.
Data isolation
Integrity problems
Unauthorized access is not restricted.
It coordinates only physical access.
Components
The components of DFS are as follows −
Block Storage provider
Client Driver
Security provider
Meta- Data Service
Object service.
These components are pictorially represented
below −
Features
The features of DFS are as follows −
User mobility
Easy to use
High availability
Performance
Coherent access
Location independence
File locking
Multi-networking access
Local gateways
Multi-protocol access
Example
Given below is an example of DFS Structure −
Benefits
The benefits of DFS are as follows −
Flexibility in storage management − In
DFS, storage management is very flexible
and we can easily modify it according to
our need.
Load sharing advantage − Load sharing
can be done with optimal results using the
DFS. Load sharing is one of the best
benefits of DFS.
Security Integration − If we want to
implement security then it can be easily
done in the DFS.
Graphical way of Administration −
Graphical view of administration window is
available here, which reduces cost in
administration training.
High Availability − High availability is
also one of the best benefits of DFS. It
keeps all the important data available all
the time.
