NFS Illustrated (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Promotes a thorough understanding of the protocol through extensive diagrams and real protocol traces that show NFS in action. Discusses several NFS variants and compares NFS to a number of alternative file systems. DLC: Network File System (Computer network protocol)

From the Back Cover

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.

0201325705B04062001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley Professional (January 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201325705
• ISBN-13: 978-0201325706
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #430,406 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, May 26, 2008

By	D. R. Anderson (Eastern Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

What a great book. The author just oozes old timey experience. He didn't dumb down the material. He does cover some detail of XDR and RPC, which I find rather welcome actually. Other prerequisites are expected to be met before reading the book which delves into all kinds of aspects about NFS.

This fine Addison-Wesley tome is an excellently welcome reference right alongside the works of Stevens, etc. in my library.

Amazon lists this as paperback-only, but I delightedly lucked into a hardbound copy from a used marketplace seller. Hooray!

5.0 out of 5 stars Required reading for professionals, April 1, 2008

By	B. Rockwood "www.cuddletech.com" (Menlo Park, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great NFS book, May 3, 2007

By	Faramarz Rabii (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!