Andrew File System (AFS) is a distributed network file system that provides a platform for sharing and accessing files across multiple computers. It was developed at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in the 1980s and designed to meet the challenges of file sharing and collaboration in a distributed computing environment.
AFS allows users to access files stored on remote servers as if they were located on their own local computers. It achieves this by organizing files into a global namespace, enabling seamless integration and transparent access to files across different machines and operating systems. AFS utilizes client-server architecture, where clients interact with file servers to retrieve or store files.
One of the key features of AFS is its ability to manage and maintain a consistent view of files across multiple servers. It employs a distributed database system to store metadata about files, ensuring that changes made on one server are promptly propagated to other servers. This provides a high level of fault tolerance and scalability, making AFS suitable for large-scale networks.
AFS also incorporates security features to protect files and control access. It implements access control lists (ACLs), which define permissions for files and directories, allowing administrators to control who can read, write, or execute them. Furthermore, AFS supports the use of encryption to secure data transmission over the network, safeguarding the confidentiality of the files.
In summary, the Andrew File System is a distributed network file system that provides seamless access and sharing of files across multiple computers. Its features include a global namespace, fault tolerance, scalability, access control, and security mechanisms.
