OpenAFS Platform Independent Distributed File System Project

From Kathmann Labs

Jump to: navigation, search

This page also has the following alternate URL: http://tinyurl.com/2y4un8

Contents

[edit] Introduction

I'm Doug Hirsch, a BBLISA acquaintance of our wiki host, Nick Kathmann. I spent a few months, over a decade ago, as an AFS administrator. I've been wanting to try out OpenAFS for a while, and Nick encouraged me to use this wiki as part of the process. I've got a few computers set aside. I've got lots to read to reacquaint myself with the system. I've got tons to learn. So, here we go...

[edit] Goals

  • Get familiar with installation, set up and maintenance of an AFS cell
  • Make my own cell for archiving and distributing my data
  • Set up a cell for my department at work
  • Create a storage cooperative among my friends
  • Create or contribute to a book about AFS

[edit] Ancillary Skills To Develop

  • Configuration and use of Parallels virtual machines (future replacement: Xen)
  • Installation and maintenance of host operating systems
  • Installation and maintenance of Kerberos 5
  • SSH configuration for pre-AFS installation access to remote servers
  • Firewall configuration to enable SSH, Kerberos and AFS ports
  • OpenVPN for AFS server distribution across NATs

[edit] Project Progress

[edit] Done

  • Installed AFS client on my PPC Mac
  • Attended AFS/Kerberos Best Practices Workshop
  • Introduced myself to AFS gatekeepers and fellow AFS keepers
  • Got an Intel Mac to serve as test cell laboratory using Parallels virtual machines
  • Installed Parallels
  • Installed FC6 in vm Moe

[edit] To Do

[edit] Debian

  • Install Debian Linux in a VM for initial test cell
  • Try to find Kerberos and AFS packages for Debian
  • Cajole Russ to provide further directions

[edit] Fedora Core

  • Learn how to handle RPMs
  • Learn how to select RPMs for Kerberos and AFS for this architecture
  • Download and install them

[edit] Kerberos & AFS

  • Configure Kerberos on a server
  • Configure AFS on a server using established Kerberos

[edit] AFS Contribution

  • Draft book outline
  • Send draft to Alf to wake him up
  • Introduce myself to wiki-master of AFS Lore wiki
  • Start tracking details of this work there
  • Index presentations from AFS workshops
  • Work on man pages, supervised by Russ

[edit] AFS

[edit] Information Sources

[edit] Lessons From Workshop

  • Do not use KAserver; use Kerberos 5 instead
  • Mailing lists are the best way to get OpenAFS help: see The OpenAFS mailing lists
  • If installed base does not determine operating system, choose based upon favorite AFS support person

[edit] Ideas From Workshop

  • Use built-in Kerberos 5 on Mac OS X (thanks Jeffrey)
  • AFS test cell on Mac running Parallels (thanks Troy)
  • Use multiple cells (thanks Mike)
  • "Cell in a box" using personal disk servers (thanks Troy)
  • Use Open VPN to cross NATs (thanks Andrew)
  • Support cell with network management server / DDNS manager
  • Get AFS keepers Alf and friends to write the modern AFS book; contribute introductory material

<a name="serverOS">

[edit] Server Operating Systems

  • Fedora Core 5: ubiquitous, but past end of product life
  • Fedora Core 6: current FC release, should work for OpenAFS, less mature product
  • Debian: favorite of Gatekeeper Russ
  • Mac OS X: Jeffrey says the Kerberos just works right out of the box; I can't simulate it on Parallels
  • FreeBSD: simpler packaging, with alleged AFS bugs

[edit] Fedora Core 5

  • Why? Already installed on department server
  • Why not? Past end of product life

[edit] Fedora Core 6

  • Current version, now supported by OpenAFS
  • Issue: need to learn to install RPMs
  • Issue: need to pick pertinent RPMs

[edit] Debian

  • Not listed as supported OpenAFS platform
  • Favorite of OpenAFS gatekeeper Russ, who promised installation guidance

<a name="dns">

[edit] Domain Name Service Interaction and OpenVPN Bypass

  • Goal: provide resilient routes across dynamic IP links to AFS servers behind home routers
  • Strategy: use Open VPN between server locations

--Doug link title

Retrieved from "http://www.kathmannlabs.net/mediawiki/index.php/OpenAFS_Platform_Independent_Distributed_File_System_Project"
Personal tools
extras