Lecture 14: Distributed File System

Flashcards for Lecture 14 on Distributed File Systems.

DFS (Distributed File System)

A distributed file system that provides a unified view of distributed file shares.

Namespaces (in DFS)

A feature that allows shares on distributed servers to appear as if they are on the same server.

Replication (in DFS)

A feature where two or more servers host the same share and automatically replicate data between each other.

DFS Namespace

A central network file-sharing hierarchy in DFS.

Namespace Server

The server that contains the namespace root.

Target

A network share located on a server that is part of the namespace.

Referral

The process of pointing a client to a target.

DFS Folder

A folder within the namespace that is either virtual or a referral to an actual target.

Traditional Approach to File Sharing

An approach where each server contains shares accessed directly using \servername\sharename.

DFS Namespaces functionality

Multiple shares on multiple servers logically presented as shares on a single server.

Namespace appearance

Appears to the user as a share on a server (\servername\namespace).

DFS Namespace Hierarchy

Maintained by the namespace server and created using the DFS Management tool.

Virtual Folders (in DFS)

Folders without targets, used to create the hierarchy.

Target Folders (in DFS)

Folders with targets that refer to actual network shares.

Namespace Redundancy

A feature that allows a share in a namespace to have multiple targets.

Targets requirement for redundancy

Must be synchronized to provide a consistent user experience.

Redundant Targets

Can be located at various locations on the network for reliability.

Standalone Namespace

Located on a server and addressed as the server name (\servername\namespace).

Active Directory (for standalone namespace)

Not required for a standalone namespace.

Domain-Based Namespace

The server name for a domain-based namespace is the domain name (\domainname\namespace).

Domain-Based Namespace Location

Located on the domain controllers.

Multiple Domain-Based Namespaces

Can be created within a domain and managed independently.

DFS Replication functionality

Automatically replicates data between multiple namespace targets within an Active Directory domain.

Additional Target(s)

Created and defined in a replication group on the namespace server.

Active Directory

DFS is site-aware.

Sites

Collections of subnets are called what?

Subnets

IP network segments are known as?

Sites and Services tool

Clients are referred to a copy of the target in their site with this tool.

Steps to Implement DFS

Install DFS, Choose the namespace server, Create new DFS root, Create DFS folders, Define replication, Create and configure DFS replication

DFS Management

Tool used to configure and manage DFS Namespaces and Replication

\cit.Id\dfs (Domain-based in Windows Server 2008 mode)

A domain-based namespace operating in Windows Server 2008 mode.

Replication (DFS Management)

A section within DFS Management for managing replication tasks.

Namespace Actions

Actions that can be performed on a selected DFS Namespace.

Delegate Management Permissions

Permissions to delegate management of a namespace.

Namespace Server

Server hosting the DFS Namespace.

Path

Location of the DFS Namespace on the network.

Site Awareness

A feature to direct clients to specific DFS Namespace servers based on their location.

Open in Explorer

Option to open a DFS Namespace in Windows Explorer.

Properties (DFS Namespace)

Configurations and settings for a DFS Namespace.

Replication Status

Information about the replication status of a folder within the DFS Namespace.

Local Path (Replication)

The local path on the server where the replicated folder is stored.

Memberships (Replication)

Details on the replication group or members involved in replication.

State (Replication)

Status of replication for a particular folder.

Folder Targets Management

Features to manage folder targets within the DFS Namespace.

Stop Replicating Folder

DFS feature that ensures a folder's contents are copied between servers.

Staging Quota

Size of the allocated staging area for DFS Replication.

Add Folder

Features to manage folder targets within the DFS Namespace.

Rename Folder

To rename a Folder.

Move Folder

To Move a Folder.

Folder Actions

Actions you can take on a folder.

Cut

Cut, Copy and Paste.

Stone

The DFS root share name is the only name set in what?

Consistent data appearance for users

Consistency in how data is presented to the end-user, no matter where the data is physically stored.

At will

If the actual share name is not visible to the user, data can be moved when?

Servers and Shares

What can be Renamed and Restructured, greatly improving flexibility in managing file shares?

Namespace

Shares from all servers can be part of the same .

Any server

Free space on what can be used in the hierarchy?

Located on a server

Why are Standalone namespace addressed by servername?

Domain Name, \domainname\namespace

How are Domain-Based Namespaces addressed?

DFS and Sites

Faster Speed, More reliable shares are benefits of what?

Domain Controller

What server do you choose when using domain-based namespaces?

Replicate

DFS can automatically ___ data between multiple namespace targets.

Data

Servers Replicate what between the targets?

Sites

What are collections of subnets?

Domain-Based Namespaces

The domain name is used as the server name in what implementation?

Active Directory

Manual Replication is used when this is not in place?

Domain controllers

The namespace is located on what when using Domain-Based Namespaces?

Sites and Services

What type of tool is used to define sites?

Consistent user experience

What type of experience are you providing to the user when using DFS Replication or some other means

The DFS root share name

What name can be set in stone with DFS?

Maximum allowed

What type of bandwidth is set with targets?

Folders

What is used to create the hierachy within the namespace

Automatic

What type of replication is automatically used if all servers are in an Active Directory?

Multiple targets

What allows for redundancy within the namespace?

DFS Folder

Virtual and referral are types of what?

DFS Namespaces

What tool could you use to brows shares easily?

various locations on the network

Where are redundant targets located for reliability?

folders with targets

What type of folder is a Referral to an actual network shares and used to hold data?

The namespace server

What component provides access to shares that are located on the namespace server or on other servers?

Automatic

What type of replication is used when all servers are in an Active Directory?

Redundancy

What type of benefit does DFS offer for reliability?