NFS or Network File System is a distributed file system that can be enabled in a client/server environment. NFS is very easy to configure for those wishing to allow NFS client machines to access NFS mount points on a server using NFS protocol. This brief tutorial shows users how to set up NFS mount points on a server for client access. It should be quick and easy to understand, even for new users. For this tutorial, we’re going to be using two systems:
Installing NFS Server packages on the Host computer
To get the NFS server working you must install the server packages. To do that run the commands below: When the server packages are installed, switch to the client to install the client package.
Installing NFS client packages on the client systems
To access NFS mount points on the server, you must install NFS client packages. To do that, run the commands below After installing the client packages, switch to the server to configure a mount point to export to the client.
Creating the folder/directory to export (share) to the NFS clients
Now that the server and client components of NFS have been installed, you can now go and create the folder or directory you which to export to the clients. For this tutorial, we’re creating a folder called publicdata in the /mnt/ directory. To create the folder, run the command below. Since we want this location to be viewed by all clients, we’re going to remove the restrictive permissions. To do that, change the folder permission to be owned by nobody in no group. Now the folder is ready to be exported so the client can access it. Subfolders can be created there as well.
Configuring the NFS Exports file
Now that the location is created on the host system, open the NFS export file and define the client access. Access can be granted to a single client or an entire network subnet. For this tutorial, we’re allowing access to the single client mentioned above. NFS export file is at /etc/exports In that file is where you define client access. The configuration format is: So, permit access to only the client with IP 192.168.71.133. To do that, open the export file by running the commands below: Then add the line below: and save the file. Only clients with IP address defined above will access that location remotely. To allow an entire subnet The options in the setting above are: rw= read/write, sync=write changes to disk before applying and no_subtree_check= prevents subtree checking. Export the shares by running the commands below Restart the NFS server by running the commands below.
Mounting the NFS share on the client
Next, switch to the client to mount the NFS directory defined on the server. To do that, create a mount point on the client where the host mounts the shares. This can be anywhere. After creating the mounting point, use the command below to mount the server NFS folder on the client The format to mount directories on the client is as shown below: sudo mount server_IP:/NFS_directory_on_server /client_mount_point This command above mounts the directory on the client’s computer. You can automatically mount the directory by editing the /etc/fstab file by adding the lines below and saving the file. Then add the line below and save. To un-mount, the folder, use the umount command. If for some reason the client can’t access the host folder, open the Ubuntu firewall to the client on the host computer. That’s it! This is how to set up an NFS mount for clients in a client/server environment using the NFS protocol. Enjoy! You may also like the post below:
