The DFS distributed file system: Design and implementation

This thesis describes the design of an operating system independent distributed file system (DFS) and details the implementation, on a cooperating set of server computers interconnected by means of a communications network. The DFS provides the mechanism by which the file systems of these physically dispersed units are integrated into a single logical unit. Users and application programs thus have the illusion that their files are on a single computer system, even though in reality they may be physically distributed around the network. This location transparency frees users from having to remember details such as the current location of the file and also affords considerable mobility, allowing access to files from any workstation. In addition, automatic storage replication and an atomic transaction mechanism provides high reliability and improved availability in the distributed environment in the face of site failure.