A network file system allows multiple computers to access and store files, with various types available. Sharing files over a network can have benefits, and different protocols exist, such as NFS and DFS. Companies like Google and Yahoo use GFS and HDFS to store large amounts of data.
A network file system, sometimes called a distributed file system, is a method of organizing and storing files and folders in a way that involves multiple networked computers. This allows many computers to access the same data and can also allow data to spread across more than one device. There are several types of network file systems in use, each with slightly different capabilities and purposes.
Virtually any type of device used to read or record computer data, from hard drives to recordable compact discs, uses a file system to organize and store information. While most share some common characteristics, file systems vary widely in design, intended use, and capabilities. In most cases, a file system is limited to a single physical device such as a hard drive. Each device or disk in a computer has its own file system. A network file system takes an isolated resource, such as a hard drive within one computer, and turns it into a shared resource available to other computers on the network.
Sharing file systems over a network can have many benefits. Files on one computer can be easily shared with other computers, and users can easily exchange information or collaborate on projects. In many cases, it is also possible to “mount” network resources so that to a user and to applications installed on a computer, the shared resource appears no different than a local resource. For example, a folder containing music or web browser bookmarks might be stored on one computer and shared with many others to keep the information in sync. In some network environments, a user’s entire home folder is shared using a network file system, allowing access to the user’s data from virtually anywhere on the network.
Since the early 1980s, a variety of network file systems have been created. Sun Microsystems® has been developing a protocol known as the Network File System (NFS) since 1985; it is commonly used in Linux and UNIX® file servers. Microsoft® offers a product known as Distributed File System (DFS) that allows the popular Server Message Block file sharing protocol included in Windows® to be used on a network file system. The Andrew File System (AFS) aims to provide an enterprise-grade network file system with new features and secure authentication via the Kerberos protocol, while the Secure Shell Filesystem (SSHFS) uses the long-lived Secure Shell protocol to achieve an similar. Google® and Yahoo!® use the Google File System (GFS) and Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) to store large amounts of data on thousands of individual hard drives.
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