Attributed File System (AFS) is a distributed file system that allows multiple users across a network to access and share files and directories. It provides a high level of security, flexibility, and scalability.
In an AFS, files and directories are organized into a hierarchical structure. Each file and directory is associated with a set of attributes that control access permissions, file size, replication, and caching. These attributes are stored separately from the file data, allowing changes to be made to the attributes without modifying the file itself.
The key feature of AFS is its ability to provide transparent access to files and directories across multiple servers. It uses a client-server model, where clients access files and directories through servers. Multiple servers can be used to distribute the load and improve performance.
AFS also supports file caching, which allows frequently accessed files to be stored locally on the client's machine. This improves access speed and reduces network traffic. In addition, AFS provides a mechanism for file replication, allowing files to be stored on multiple servers for increased availability and fault tolerance.
With its distributed nature and advanced features, AFS is commonly used in large-scale organizations, such as universities and research institutions, where many users need to access and share files efficiently and securely over a network.
