A Universal File Server

A file server is a utility provided in a computer connected via a local communications network to a number of other computer. File servers exist to preserve material for the benefit of client machines or systems. It is desirable for a file server to be able to support multiple file directory and access management systems, so that the designer of a client system retains the freedom to design the system that best suits him. For example, he may wish to use the rile server to support a predefined directory structure or as a swapping disk. The paper explores the design issues associated with such a file server and proposes some solutions.