Question 1
Network file system (NFS) was originally developed in 1984 by Sun microsystems. It is a distributed file system that allows a client to view, store or update file on the server remotely. It employs the open network computing remote procedure technology in implementing the desired functions. It can thus be used by anyone connected to the network to effect the changes that are desired in the network (KITAMURA, 2012).
The NFS system enables the administrator to stage portions of the file system on the server. The file mounted can be accessed by the clients depending on the privileges accorded to them, for example, read-only or read-write (Michener, 2008). The requests are routed by the use of a remote procedure between the clients and the servers.
NFS is supported by the FreeBSD, the FreeBSD allows the sharing of file and directories between the server and the client over a pre-determined network. As stated earlier, the use of NFS enables one access the server as if he/she was there physically and, makes the desired changes in line with the privileges accorded to him/her (KITAMURA, 2012). NFS finds several practical applications in the world today, below is a discussion of some of the common uses.
The use of the NFS system increases the network security as the security details and the clients access restrictions are done by the administrator at the server. The use of removable devices on the system is also reduced thus enhancing the network security. Software installation on the computers on the network is also made easy and possible (Michener, 2008).
Question 2
BranchCache is available to windows; it allows storage of data that is downloaded at a branch office, making the data available for distribution to other computers. It helps reduce the number of multiple machines placed in one location to download same data several times. It has two modes of operation namely; the distributed and the hosted modes (KITAMURA, 2012).
In the distributed mode, the client is expected to maintain its own cache of data; further other clients may use the local sub-net to request the data by the use of broadcast messages. On the other hand on the hosted mode, there is a central store for all the data cached at the server branch, it employs the branchcache technology. It operates on the principle that in any case a client wants to download data from the remote site; the data is checked on the hosted cache server (KITAMURA, 2012). In any case, the client wants to check the cache, there is a direct request made to the hosted cache server and not the use of broadcast messages.
References
Michener, J. (2008). Common Permissions in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista. IEEE Security & Privacy Magazine, 6(3), 63-67. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/msp.2008.59
KITAMURA, M. (2012). Configuring a Low-Cost, Power-Saving Multiple Server Backup System: Experimental Results. IEICE Transactions On Communications, E95-B(1), 189-197. http://dx.doi.org/10.1587/transcom.e95.b.189
