Definition

A Global File System (GFS) is a distributed file system that enables multiple servers and computers to access and share unified storage, often in real-time and regardless of their geographic locations. It provides seamless and synchronized access to data and files, enabling high availability, collaboration, and redundancy.

Global File System Working Mechanism

The storage system is distributed across geographically dispersed servers, forming a network. These servers create a unified storage system that anyone can access.

GFS uses a distributed file-locking mechanism to manage concurrent access and maintain data consistency across the whole system. As a result, different processes can read and modify stored files safely and without conflict.

Moreover, all global file systems must incorporate adequate data redundancy and fault tolerance mechanisms because disruption in one node or server can affect the entire system. These include sophisticated error detection and correction tools and data replication across multiple nodes.

Global File System Applications

Global File System Examples