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Requirements of a DFS

Short answer

A DFS allows network-wide file access with a single namespace. Requirements include transparency, concurrent update control, replication, heterogeneity, fault tolerance, consistency, security, and efficiency comparable to local file systems.

Define distributed file system (DFS). What are the different requirements of the distributed file system?

Distributed file system

A distributed file system (DFS) allows files stored at several servers to be accessed and shared by clients over a network as if they were on a local disk. It gives one name space and hides the distribution.

Requirements

  1. Transparency: access, location, mobility, performance and scaling transparency, so users see one file tree.
  2. Concurrent file updates: changes by one client must not disturb others; locking or optimistic control is needed.
  3. File replication: copies of a file at several servers share load and improve fault tolerance.
  4. Hardware and operating system heterogeneity: interfaces must be defined so clients and servers run on any OS or hardware.
  5. Fault tolerance: service continues after client or server crashes (idempotent, stateless operations, retransmission).
  6. Consistency: the system should provide, or closely approximate, one-copy update semantics, as in a local file system.
  7. Security: authentication and access control lists on requests, with encryption when needed.
  8. Efficiency: performance comparable to a local file system, using caching, read-ahead and delayed write.

✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)

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