Understanding the NetWare File System

File storage and management is the core of any network server, and NetWare has long offered the capability to manage files in many ways. Answering questions about file security, file criticality, available disk space, and the potential for offline or near-line storage can go a long way in helping you to determine how best to configure and manage your file system environment.

The first step toward planning and managing an effective file system is to understand the Novell Storage Services (NSS). First released in limited fashion with NetWare 5, NSS provides tremendous flexibility to the NetWare file structure. But beyond NSS, there are also issues of archiving data, and newer network-based storage options.

This chapter looks at the various file storage options available in NetWare 6.5 and discusses the advantages and potential pitfalls of each. You will note that this chapter doesn't include a discussion of traditional NetWare volumes. This topic has been discussed for 20 years , and there isn't a lot left to say. Furthermore, traditional volumes are lacking when compared to the NSS option. However, for further information on traditional NetWare volumes , there is a library of information available, and Appendix E can point you in the right direction.