Given that AFS data is location independent, how does an AFS client determine which server houses the data its user is attempting to access?
The Volume Location Database (VLDB) is stored on AFS Database Servers and is ideally replicated across 3 or more Database Server machines. Replication of the Database ensures high availability and load balances the requests for the data. The VLDB maintains information regarding the current physical location of all volume data (files and directories) in the cell, including the IP address of the FileServer, and the name of the disk partition the data is stored on. A list of a cell’s Database Servers is stored on the local disk of each AFS Client machine as: /usr/vice/etc/CellServDB The Database Servers also house the Kerberos Authentication Database (encrypted user and server passwords), the Protection Database (user UID and protection group information) and the Backup Database (used by System Administrators to backup AFS file data to tape).
Related Questions
- Only individuals with a user ID on the Access Data Backup Client software will be able to administer its functions. Can users administer backups for their own machines?
- Given that AFS data is location independent, how does an AFS client determine which server houses the data its user is attempting to access?
- Can more than one JAS client be connected to a given JAS data server?
