Distributed File System Questions and

Answers
A Distributed File System (DFS) is a file system that allows users to access and store files on
a network of computers. DFS is used to improve performance and availability of data by
distributing it across multiple servers.

Distributed File System Questions and Answers

1. What is a distributed file system?

A distributed file system is a file system that allows files to be stored on multiple computers in
a network and allows users to access those files from any computer in the network.

2. Can you explain what the main features of a distributed file system are?

A distributed file system is a file system that allows files to be stored on multiple computers in
a network and allows users to access those files from any computer in the network. The main
features of a distributed file system are that it is scalable, fault-tolerant, and provides high
availability.

3. How do you synchronize data in a distributed file system?

There are a few different ways to synchronize data in a distributed file system. One way is to
use a shared file system, which allows multiple computers to access and share the same files.
Another way is to use a distributed file system, which replicates files across multiple
computers.

4. How does a client connect to a remote server and read or write files on that server?

The client initiates a connection with the server and then sends a request to read or write a file.
The server then responds with the requested data.

5. Is it possible for clients to cache frequently accessed data from a remote server? If yes,
then what techniques can be used to optimize this process?

Yes, it is possible for clients to cache data from a remote server. This can be done in a number
of ways, but some common techniques include using a proxy server or using a content delivery
network (CDN).

6. What do you understand by replication? When will it be useful?

Replication is the process of copying data from one location to another. This is often done in
order to create backups or to provide redundancy in case of a failure. Replication can be useful
in a number of different situations, such as when you need to provide access to the same data
from multiple locations or when you need to ensure that data is not lost in the event of a failure.
7. Are there any disadvantages associated with using a distributed file system?

Yes, there are a few disadvantages associated with using a distributed file system. One is that
it can be more difficult to manage and keep track of files when they are spread out across
multiple machines. Another is that if one machine goes down, it can affect the availability of
the files on other machines.

8. What’s the difference between scalability and extensibility?

Scalability is the ability of a system to handle increased load by adding additional resources,
while extensibility is the ability of a system to be modified to support new functionality. A
system can be scalable without being extensible, but it cannot be extensible without being
scalable.

9. Which type of architecture provides better fault tolerance: Client-server or peer-to-

peer?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on the specific implementation of

each type of architecture. However, in general, peer-to-peer architectures are more fault-
tolerant than client-server architectures. This is because peer-to-peer architectures distribute
the data and processing load more evenly among the nodes, so if one node fails, the others can
pick up the slack. Client-server architectures, on the other hand, tend to have a single point of
failure, which can bring the entire system down if that node goes offline.

10. How would you implement network security when using a distributed file system?

One way to implement security would be to encrypt the data before it is stored on the network.
This would ensure that only authorized users would be able to access the data. Another way to
secure the data would be to use a access control list to restrict who can access the data.

11. Can you name some popular distributed file systems?

Some popular distributed file systems include HDFS (Hadoop Distributed File System),
GlusterFS, and CephFS.

12. Why is parallelism important in distributed computing?

Parallelism is important in distributed computing because it allows for multiple tasks to be

completed at the same time. This can help to improve the overall efficiency of the system and
can help to speed up the completion of tasks.

13. How can you reduce latency when using a distributed file system?

One way to reduce latency when using a distributed file system is to use a caching technique.
This means that when a file is accessed, it is stored in a local cache. This way, if the file is
accessed again, it can be retrieved from the cache instead of having to be retrieved from the
remote location, which can take longer.

14. How would you ensure availability when using a distributed file system?
There are a few key things to keep in mind when ensuring availability in a distributed file
system. First, you will need to ensure that your file system is properly replicated across multiple
servers. This way, if one server goes down, the others can pick up the slack. Secondly, you will
need to make sure that your file system is designed to handle failures gracefully. This means
having a plan for what to do when a file becomes corrupted or a server goes down. Finally, you
will need to regularly test your system to make sure that it is functioning properly.

15. What are the different types of consistency models provided by distributed file
systems?

There are three types of consistency models provided by distributed file systems:

1. Strong Consistency: All clients see the same data at all times.

2. Eventual Consistency: All clients eventually see the same data, but there may be a delay
while changes propagate.

3. Causal Consistency: Clients see data that is at least as up-to-date as the most recent write
operation that they have seen.

16. How can you improve the performance of a distributed file system?

There are a few ways to improve the performance of a distributed file system:

– Use a caching mechanism to store frequently accessed files locally

– Use a load-balancing algorithm to distribute load evenly across nodes
– Use a replica management strategy to keep copies of files on multiple nodes

17. In which situations should a distributed file system be preferred over a parallel file
system?

A distributed file system should be used when it is necessary to provide access to files from
multiple locations. A parallel file system is more appropriate when it is necessary to provide
high performance access to files from a single location.

18. What are the best practices to follow when designing a distributed file system?

There are a few key things to keep in mind when designing a distributed file system:

1. Make sure that the file system is scalable. This means that it should be able to handle a large
number of users and a large amount of data.

2. The file system should be fault-tolerant. This means that it should be able to continue
functioning even if some of the nodes in the system fail.

3. The file system should be secure. This means that it should be able to protect data from
unauthorized access.

19. What are the key factors that influence effective management of a distributed file
system?
There are a few key factors that influence effective management of a distributed file system:

-The file system should be designed in a way that minimizes contention and allows for easy
scalability.
-The file system should be designed to allow for easy and efficient replication and backup.
-The file system should be designed to allow for easy and efficient access control.

20. What are some common use cases of distributed file systems?

There are many use cases for distributed file systems, but some of the most common include
providing high availability and scalability for applications that require access to large amounts
of data, as well as simplifying data management for applications that are deployed across
multiple servers.

Fault Tolerance in Distributed System

1. Which of the following is correct when the fault remains in the system
for some time and disappears?
A. Intermittent
B. Permanent
C. Transient
D. All of the mentioned
E. None of these

2. Which one of the following methods is used to achieve reliable systems?

A. Fault tolerance
B. Fault removal
C. Fault prevention
D. All of the mentioned
E. None of these

3. A system maintaining its integrity while accepting a temporary halt in its

operation is said to be in a state of
A. Graceful Degradation
B. Full Fault Tolerance
C. Fail Safe
D. Fail Soft
E. None of these

4. Which of the following is correct on all fault-tolerant techniques rely on

A. Dependability
B. Redundancy
C. Integrity
D. All of the above
E. None of these

5. What is the most common cause of soft errors in hardware system?

A. Voltage Fluctuation
B. Alpha Particles
C. Cosmic Rays
D. Thermal Issue

6. Property is not a requirement for Fault Tolerance is given below?

A. Fail Safe
B. Dynamic Recovery
C. Fault Isolation
D. Fault Containment

7. What is fault tolerance, and how is it enhanced in the distributed

system?

8. Describe the three main components of a distributed file service.

9. Explain how distributed file system security is achieved.

10. What is middleware? Using diagrams indicates where it falls in the OSI
communication model.
11. Briefly compare and contrast the following methods of communication
in distributed systems.
i. Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

ii. Inter-Process Communication (IPC)

iii. Remote method invocation.