ULTRIX Guide to the Network File System

This document, the "ULTRIX Guide to the Network File System" (Order Number: AA-ME99B-TE), published by Digital Equipment Corporation in June 1990 for ULTRIX Version 4.0 or higher, serves as a comprehensive guide for the Network File System (NFS).

Purpose: The guide aims to provide introductory, setup, and troubleshooting information for NFS on ULTRIX operating systems, and to assist system administrators in developing effective NFS management procedures.

Audience: It is primarily intended for system managers or network managers responsible for maintaining networks on ULTRIX systems, assuming familiarity with ULTRIX commands, system configuration, and basic networking concepts.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction to NFS: Defines NFS as a facility for sharing files across a network, allowing remote directories to be treated as local. It introduces the core concepts of NFS clients and servers, and the NFS locking service.
2. Setting Up NFS: Provides detailed instructions for manually configuring both NFS servers (editing /etc/exports and /etc/rc.local files, and rebooting) and NFS clients (editing /etc/rc.local and /etc/fstab). It also covers setting up an NFS client using the automount command, explaining different map types (master, direct, indirect, built-in) and the use of environment variables.
3. Managing NFS: Discusses how to mount and unmount remote file systems, programming with the NFS locking service (including locking remote files and lock recovery procedures), and crucial aspects of system security (superuser access, mail across NFS, port monitoring, and general security enhancements). It also addresses potential system behaviors and differences when NFS is active.
4. Troubleshooting NFS: Offers strategies and solutions for common NFS malfunctions, such as network or server failures, process blocking in client programs, system hangs during boot, and slow remote file access.
5. Appendices: Includes lists of various NFS-related error messages and suggested user actions for resolution.

In essence, the guide provides the necessary knowledge for ULTRIX system administrators to implement, manage, secure, and troubleshoot NFS environments effectively.