SearchEnterpriseLinux: Sun sees big future for NFS v.4 in Linux

“If Sun Microsystems’ dream comes true, the Linux community will
embrace the latest version of its Network File System protocol.
Sun’s director of Solaris Data Technology Jon Lee is championing
the message that Sun NFS, which began as a workgroup file sharing
solution, fills enterprise Linux’s need for a scalable Internet
file access protocol. He is sure that NFS v.4 does that job so well
that it will become the file-sharing standard on the Linux
operating system. Lee and David Brittle, Solaris Data Technology
senior software engineering manager, outlined their company’s plan
to promote implementation of NFS on Linux….”

“What differentiates Sun’s NFS v.4 from other file access
protocols?

“Lee:
NFS v.4 is a real, true file access protocol for the Internet. NFS
has been around for quite a while as a file sharing protocol that’s
been very successful in large, enterprise situations. NFS v.4 has
added functionalities that make it appropriate for the Internet
environment. It’s delivering true file access characteristics into
the Internet space. There isn’t anything quite the same right now
on the Internet. In terms of open standard solutions, true file
access protocols aren’t available outside the realms of
NFS….”

“What challenges does Sun face in gaining acceptance of NFS in
the Linux community?

“Brittle:
I think there’s a fear of Sun “strong-arming” the development
process. Because of that, we’ve deliberately been hands-off. For
example, rather than doing all the development in house we?ve
funded the University of Michigan Center for Information Technology
Integration’s work on NFS version 4. Their work was not controlled
by Sun. We have a hands-off approach. Linux developers have been
free to participate in the work group, because NFS is really being
developed in an open community manner. It is under the guidance and
direction of IETF, and it has a lot of alias working groups. I
think the last count I heard was about 130 people who participate
in various IETF working groups….”

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