Which of the following statements is true of distributed file system (dfs) namespaces?

Amazon FSx for Windows File Server supports the use of Microsoft's Distributed File System (DFS) Namespaces. You can use DFS Namespaces to group file shares on multiple file systems into one common folder structure (a namespace) that you use to access the entire file dataset. DFS Namespaces can help you to organize and unify access to your file shares across multiple file systems. DFS Namespaces can also help to scale file data storage beyond what each file system supports (64 TB) for large file datasets—up to hundreds of petabytes.

Setting up DFS Namespaces for grouping multiple file systems

You can use DFS Namespaces to group multiple file systems under a single namespace. In the example that follows, the domain-based namespace (example.com\corp) is created on two namespace servers, consolidating file shares stored on multiple Amazon FSx file systems (finance, marketing, sales, home_directories). This allows your users to access file shares using a common namespace. Given this, they don't need to specify file-system DNS names for each of the file systems hosting the file shares.

Amazon FSx cannot be added to the root of the DFS share path.

These steps guide you through creating a single namespace (example.com\corp) on two namespace servers. You also set up four file shares under the namespace, each transparently redirecting users to shares hosted on separate Amazon FSx file systems.

Which of the following statements is true of distributed file system (dfs) namespaces?

To group multiple file systems into a common DFS namespace

  1. If you don't already have DFS Namespace servers running, you can launch a pair of highly available DFS Namespace servers using the setup-DFSN-servers.template AWS CloudFormation template. For more information on creating an AWS CloudFormation stack, see Creating a Stack on the AWS CloudFormation Console in the AWS CloudFormation User Guide.

  2. Connect to one of the DFS Namespace servers launched in the previous step as a user in the AWS Delegated Administrators group. For more information, see Connecting to Your Windows Instance in the Amazon EC2 User Guide for Windows Instances.

  3. Access the DFS Management Console by opening. Open the Start menu and run dfsmgmt.msc. This opens the DFS Management GUI tool.

  4. Choose Action then New Namespace, type in the computer name of the first DFS Namespace server you launched for Server and choose Next.

  5. For Name, type in the namespace you're creating (for example, corp).

  6. Choose Edit Settings and set the appropriate permissions based on your requirements. Choose Next.

  7. Leave the default Domain-based namespace option selected, leave the Enable Windows Server 2008 mode option selected, and choose Next.

    Windows Server 2008 mode is the latest available option for Namespaces.

  8. Review the namespace settings and choose Create.

  9. With the newly created namespace selected under Namespaces in the navigation bar, choose Action then Add Namespace Server.

  10. Type in the computer name of the second DFS Namespace server you launched for Namespace server.

  11. Choose Edit Settings, set the appropriate permissions based on your requirements, and choose OK.

  12. Open the context (right-click) menu for the namespace you just created, choose New Folder, type in the name of the folder (for example, finance for Name, and choose OK.

  13. Type in the DNS name of the file share that you want the DFS Namespace folder to point to in UNC format (for example, \\fs-0123456789abcdef0.example.com\finance) for Path to folder target and choose OK.

  14. If the share doesn't exist:

    1. Choose Yes to create it.

    2. From the Create Share dialog, choose Browse.

    3. Choose an existing folder, or create a new folder under D$, and choose OK.

    4. Set the appropriate share permissions, and choose OK.

  15. From the New Folder dialog, choose OK. The new folder will be created under the namespace.

  16. Repeat the last four steps for other folders you want to share under the same namespace.

Distributed file systems enable users to access file data that is spread across multiple storage servers. A DFS should uphold data integrity and be secure and scalable.

Distributed file systems can share data from a single computing system among various servers, so client systems can use multiple storage resources as if they were local storage. Distributed file systems enable organizations to access data in an easily scalable, secure and convenient way.

A DFS enables direct host access to file data from multiple locations. For example, NFS is a type of distributed file system protocol where storage resources connect to a computer by network resources, such as a LAN or SAN. Hosts can access data using protocols such as NFS or SMB. Admins can add nodes to a DFS to scale quickly. A DFS should create backup copies to prevent data loss if there are drive failures.

Features of distributed file systems

There are various features to a DFS, such as the following:

  • Transparency. Transparency is a security mechanism that shields details of one file system from other file systems and users. There are four types:
    1. Structure transparency. The actual structure of the DFS, such as the number of file servers and storage devices, is hidden from users.
    2. Access transparency. The DFS should display the user's file resources following the correct secure login process, regardless of the user's location.
    3. Replication transparency. Replicated files stored in different nodes of the DFS are kept hidden from other nodes in the file system.
    4. Naming transparency. File names should not indicate the location of any given file and should not change when the files move among storage nodes supported by the DFS.
  • Performance. This metric measures the time needed to process user file access requests and includes processor time, network transmission time, and time needed to access the storage device and deliver the requested content. DFS performance should be comparable to a local file system.
  • Scalability. As storage requirements increase, users typically deploy additional storage resources. The DFS should be powerful enough so that, as storage capacity scales upward, the system can handle the additional resources so users do not notice any difference in performance.
  • High availability. Like any storage device, equipment managed by a DFS must not be interrupted or disabled. However, if an issue such as a node failure or drive crash occurs, the DFS must remain operational and quickly reconfigure to alternate storage resources to maintain uninterrupted operations. DR plans must include provisions for backing up and recovering DFS servers, as well as storage devices.
  • Data integrity. When multiple users access the same file storage systems and possibly even the same files, the DFS must manage the flow of access requests so there are no disruptions in file access or damage to file integrity.
  • High reliability. Another way to ensure data availability and survivability in a disruption is to have the DFS create backup copies of files specified by users. This is complementary to high availability and ensures that files and databases are available when needed.
  • Security. As with any data storage arrangement, data must be protected from unauthorized access and cyber attacks that could damage or destroy the data. Encryption of the data -- both at rest and in transit -- helps increase data security and protection.
  • User mobility. This feature routes a user's directory of file resources to the node where the user logs in.
  • Namespaces. Namespace defines a repository of commands and variables to facilitate specific activities. In distributed file systems, namespaces gather the required commands and related actions needed for the DFS to function properly. A single namespace supporting multiple file systems generates a single UI that makes all file systems look like a single file system to a user. Namespaces also reduce the chance of interference with the contents of other namespaces.
Which of the following statements is true of distributed file system (dfs) namespaces?
This figure depicts a typical distributed file system where the user has access to multiple storage resources through a single interface through a DFS server and a single namespace.

Standalone DFS versus domain-based DFS namespaces

Standalone distributed file systems do not use Active Directory (AD). Instead, they are created locally with their own unique root directories. They cannot be linked with any other DFS entities. They are not as popular as domain-based distributed file systems.

Domain-based DFS namespaces store the configuration of a DFS in AD. This makes DFS easier to use and more accessible throughout a system.

Strengths and limitations of distributed file systems

DFS technology provides file survivability by distributing critical files and databases across multiple storage devices. Some of these storage entities are at alternate company locations and can also be cloud-based, providing additional DR support. Users can enhance data movement across storage nodes.

There may be difficulties if there is a change in file servers, file storage applications and other storage protocols that may not be compatible with the DFS/NFS application. There are risks of data loss if security provisions are not in place. Also, movement of data from one storage node to another may result in lost data.

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Which of the following is a distributed file system DFS function?

The Distributed File System (DFS) functions provide the ability to logically group shares on multiple servers and to transparently link shares into a single hierarchical namespace. DFS organizes shared resources on a network in a treelike structure.

What is a DFS namespace?

DFS (Distributed File System) Namespaces is a role service in Windows Server that enables you to group shared folders located on different servers into one or more logically structured namespaces.

What is the difference between DFS namespace and DFS replication?

DFS Namespace (DFS-N) – DFS namespace allows the building of the namespace and the logical folder structure. These folders can be on multiple servers, as you'll see later. DFS Replication (DFS-R) – DFS Replication replicates folders to other members in the network.

What are the two types of DFS namespace?

When creating a namespace, you must choose one of two namespace types: a stand-alone namespace or a domain-based namespace.