This tutorial describes WAFLTM (Write Anywhere File Layout), which is a UNIX file system designed by Network Appliance specifically to work in an NFS appliance. The system is similar to other UNIX file systems such as the Berkeley Fast File System (FFS). The primary focus of the material is on the algorithms and data structures that WAFL uses to implement Snapshots, which are read-only clones of the active file system.
Type of Material:
Tutorial
Technical Requirements:
HTML
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The learning goal is to understand the nomenclature and product characteristics of the file system for an NFS server. The learning goal is more oriented toward a specific product/company rather than a broad discourse about the topic.
Target Student Population:
Computer science students taking operating systems courses.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
UNIX; file systems; NetApp architecture (described in another tutorial)
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
It describes a file system designed specifically to work in an NFS server. It focuses on the algorithms and data structures that the file system uses.
Concerns:
The material is a paper that describes a file system designed specifically to work in an NFS server. It reflects the nomenclature and product characteristics in 1995. The content is specific to the product and maybe out of date. It references two additional papers also prepared by the same company.Insufficient emphasis on how the file system focused upon differs from that used in a traditional UNIX system.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
It can serve as an example for file design in courses related to operating systems.
Concerns:
The materials presented are highly specific to one company. That is, it is a presentation written by Network Appliance personnel about features of the NFS File Server Appliance, a company product. It is a technical paper, which does not introduce concepts progressively. Therefore, its effectiveness as a teaching module is limited.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Written especially for technically adept readers.
Concerns:
Writing style is terse and relies on many acronyms, only some of which are explained at length. It may already be out of date, judging by the date when the materials were written. It is written as a technical paper and lacks interactivity.
Creative Commons:
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