Determining the Roles of DFS Machines

The first DFS machine that you configure during DCE installation and configuration (described in Managing DCE Configurations) needs to function as a System Control Machine. The System Control Machine is the server that distributes DFS configuration information. Next you configure a Fileset Location Database Server, which is the server that maintains the fileset location database. The DCE installation and configuration script assumes that the root.dfs fileset, which is the fileset that corresponds to the top (/.:/fs) level of the file tree, is located on the Fileset Location Database Server. Setting Up Filesets and the OSF DCE DFS Administration Guide and Reference contain further information about root.dfs.

Machines that you configure as DFS servers can run the processes required to be DFS File Servers. Be sure the machine you choose has enough space to store LFS filesets. The amount of free space you need depends on how much data you plan to store in LFS filesets. Filesets on File Servers can store DFS client binaries in addition to user files. These filesets can also be distributed on other file server machines in your cell. In addition, if your domain has only one server machine, this machine must run all processes and fill all required machine roles. For example, in addition to being a System Control Machine, this machine must be a File Server and a Fileset Location Database Server. If your domain has three or more DFS server machines, three machines need to store DFS databases. An odd number of DFS database machines is recommended.