Design overview of the Multicasting Master-Slave Network Filesystem

Szymon Acedanski
8th High School, Katowice, PL

Abstract:

Network technology evolves quickly, but available bandwidths are still not sufficient for fast transfers of big files to a bunch of clients (for example populating operating systems' installation images). This paper describes Multicasting Master-Slave Network Filesystem (mmsnfs) - a new method of distributing entire filesystem among several client-machines simultaneously and efficiently. Moreover it provides mechanisms for modifying distibuted filesystem structure reliably and securing it against introducing inconsistencies. It is designed to be used in small networks of similarly-configured machines, for instance university labs or internet cafés.