NFS Illustrated

By Brent Callaghan

Book Overview

The Network File System (NFS) protocol that enables remote access to files is now a key element of any LAN. It is also currently and increasingly used as a key technology with the Web and wide area networks. Written for programmers creating NFS-based applications, network engineers creating new implementations of NFS, and network managers, NFS Illustrated promotes a thorough understanding of that protocol through extensive diagrams and real protocol traces that show NFS in action. Covering NFS versions 2 and 3, the book also looks into WebNFS and the new NFS version 4, with Internet support. Detailed and authoritative, the book not only examines NFS in depth, but also describes the protocols that underlie and support it, including External Data Representation (XDR), Remote Procedure Call (RPC), the NFS MOUNT protocol, and the NFS Lock Manager protocol. It discusses several NFS variants and compares NFS to a number of alternative file systems. You will find a detailed discussion on the NFS filesystem model and a procedure-by-procedure description of NFS versions 2 and 3, illustrated through the use of snoop traces that capture and display protocol packets from the network. In addition, the book addresses real-world implementation issues faced by those building an NFS client or server, factors that affect NFS performance, and critical performance benchmarks. Specific topics of interest include: NFS version 4, highlighting performance improvements, security features, and cross-platform interoperability for Internet operation RPC authentication and security Differences between NFS versions 2 and 3 Implementation issues for clients and servers Read-ahead and write-behind Caching policies The Lock Manager protocol Automounting NFS variants, including Spritely NFS, NQNFS, Trusted NFS, and NASD NFS NFS competitors: RFS, AFS, DCE/DFS, and CIFS The PCNFS protocol for implementing NFS on PC operating systems SPEC SFS benchmarks, WebNFS, and firewalls Comprehensive and current, NFS Illustrated is an essential resource for network professionals who want to use this widespread and evolving technology to its fullest.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0201325705
• ISBN13: 9780201325706
• Release Date: December 1999
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional
• Length: 552 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 7.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Required reading for professionals

As with all the books in the "Illustrated" series this book isn't a tutorial and it doesn't hold your hand... never the less, if your an experienced admin who's spent years with NFS but just never quite felt like you and NFS understood each other then this is the book for you. The book is two things... on one hand each chapter begins with a short introduction about a protocol and with it a fascinating history lesson. The rest of the chapter covers the gory details. The history lesson and insights scattered throughout the text shed light on why NFSv2/3 became the mess that we all know and love. NFS is simple on the outside, but if you really stop and think about it... why are there all those protocols, I mean, why do we need a damn port mapping daemon just to keep it all straight!? The fairy tale unfolds throughout the book and finally, I'm glad to say, I think I understand NFSv2/3's sorted past and I'm happy to say I forgive her. If you've looked at NFSv4 but, deep down, just don't really see the point... I mean, NFSv3 has been around, works everywhere... well, this is the book thats going to make you realize just how desperately we've needed NFSv4 and you'll never want to go back. Sure, you can read the RFE as other reviewers have suggested, but thats not what your buying here... your buying the Deluxe Behind the Scenes Edition with a commentary that, well, illustrates the whole thing. This book is getting harder and harder to find. Buy it, have it on your shelf. Its a quick read and an invaluable reference.

Great NFS book

This is a very readable and well organized book on NFS. The information is presented such that a reader could read the book cover to cover and gain a detailed understanding of RPC, NFSv2, NFSv3, and related protocols such lock manager and mount. It may and should also be used as a reference for those already familiar with NFS. The one missing part is details of rquota. Otherwise, it is perfect. I highly recommend this book to anyone working on NFS implementations. It is a lot more user friendly than the RFC!

A nicely formatted version of the RFC

If you're tough, save some cash and read the RFC.If you want a book which is nicely formatted and organized, get this.This is a good spec but not too much more. If you're working with NFS much you probably want this.

A great read!

I saw this book in [local store] and had to have it. For anyone interested in the nitty gritty details of NFS this book is a must! The writer provides a comprehensive and rich discussion of every aspect of NFS 2 and 3 which many environments are still implementing today. Also the writer provides a very detailed discussion of the relationship between lockd and statd and discusses mountd and nfsd in great detail also. For Unix admins who want to become more intimate with NFS I think this is a great resource.