The Network File System (NFS) is a file system protocol that is designated to be a file server standard, and its protocol uses the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) method of communication between computers. Clients can access files via the network similar to the way that local storage is accessed.
NFS is a client-server application in which a client can view, store, and update files on a remote system just like they are working on a local system. System or Network Administrators can mount all or a portion of a file system, and the file system (or portion) that is mounted can be accessed using the privileges assigned to each file.
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NOTE: If you want to do a mount on AIX, you must set the nfs_use_reserved_ports and portcheck parameters first. The parameters cannot be set to 0. For example: root@aixhost1 / # nfso -po portcheck=1 root@aixhost1 / # nfso -po nfs_use_reserved_ports=1 |
When Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS are used with QoreStor they offer the following benefits:
- Reduce network utilization and DMA backup time
- Chunk data and perform hash computation on the client; transfer chunked hash files on the back-end
- Reduce the amount of data that must be written across the wire
- Improve performance
- Support DMAs such as CommVault, EMC Networker, and Tivoli Storage Manager. For the current list of supported DMAs, see the QoreStor Interoperability Guide.
- Compatible with existing NFS and CIFS clients — just need to install a plug-in (driver) on the client
- Can use Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS to accelerate I/O operations on any client — including a client that uses home-grown backup scripts
- Can service multiple and concurrent media server backups
Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS enable write operation acceleration on clients that use QoreStor replication and NFS or CIFS file system protocols. Similar to OST and RDS, these accelerators allow for better coordination and integration between QoreStor backup, restore, and optimized deduplication operations with Data Management Applications (DMAs) such as CommVault, EMC Networker, and Tivoli Storage Manager. For the current list of qualified DMAs, see the QoreStor Interoperability Guide.
Rapid NFS is a new client file system type that ensures that only unique data is written to QoreStor. It uses user space components and file system in user space (FUSE) to accomplish this. Metadata operations such as file creates and permission changes go through the standard NFS protocol, whereas write operations go through RDNFS.
Rapid CIFS is a Windows-certified filter driver that also ensures that only unique data is written to QoreStor.
All chunking and hash computations are done at the media or client server level.
Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS require you to install a plug-in on the client or media server, depending on your DMA and configuration. For details, see "Configuring and Using Rapid NFS and Rapid CIFS".
Rapid Data Access (RDA) with NetVault and with vRanger provides the logical disk interface that can be used with network storage devices. QoreStor requires the NetVault Plug-in for Rapid Data Access to integrate its data storage operations with NetVault and vRanger. The plug-in is installed by default on the NetVault and vRanger servers and QoreStor when the latest software updates are installed. Using the Plug-in for Rapid Data Access, NetVault can take full advantage of key QoreStor and DR Series system features like data deduplication and managed replication.
When the Plug-in for Rapid Data Access is used with QoreStor, it offers the following benefits:
- RDA with NetVault and RDA with vRanger protocols provides faster and improved data transfers:
- Focus is on backups with minimal overhead
- Accommodates larger data transfer sizes
- Provides throughput that is better than CIFS or NFS
- RDA and data management application (DMA) integration:
- NetVault-to-media server software communication
- QoreStor storage capabilities can be used without extensive changes to NetVault or vRanger.
- Backup and replication operations are simplified by using built-in DMA policies
- RDA provides an immutability feature, which NetVault plans to support soon. For compatible versions, see the Quest QoreStor Interoperability Guide.
- QoreStor RDA ports and write operations:
- Control channel uses TCP port 10011
- Data channel uses TCP port 11000
- Optimized write operations enable client-side deduplication
- Replication operations between QoreStor systems:
- No configuration is required on the source or target QoreStor systems
- Replication is triggered and managed by the backup application
- QoreStor transfers the data file (not the media server)
- After duplication completes, QoreStor notifies the DMA to update its catalog (acknowledging the second backup). This makes the DMA aware of the replication location. Restores from either the source or replication target can be used directly from the DMA.
- Supports different retention policies between source and replica
- Replication is set up in the DMA itself, not QoreStor
