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Network file systems:
A network file system (also known as a distributed file system or DFS) is a file system where the files are accessed over a network, potentially simultaneously by several computers. Ideally, access to network file systems is user transparent. Examples include NFS, CIFS, Lustre, and Global File System.
The primary functions of NFS are to export or mount directories to other machines, either on or off a local network. These directories can then be accessed as though they were local. NFS uses a client / server architecture and consists of a client program, a server program, and a protocol used to communicate between the two.
The server program makes file systems available for access by other machines via a process called exporting. File systems that are available for access across the network are often referred to as shared file systems.
