Naming, Migration, and Replication for NFSv4

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss a global name space for NFSv4 and mechanisms for transparent migration and replication. By convention, any file or directory name beginning with /nfs on an NFS client is part of this shared global name space. Our system supports file system migration and replication through DNS resolution, provides directory migration and replication using built-in NFSv4 mechanisms, and supports read/write replication with precise consistency guarantees, small performance penalty, and good scaling. We implement these features with small extensions to the published NFSv4 protocol, and demonstrate a practical way to enhance network transparency and administerability of NFSv4 in wide area networks.