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4.2 The server

The jukebox file server is the core of iXOS-JUKEMAN. It controls the devices, and replies to NFS requests and to requests from the iXOS-JUKEMAN local file system for NT. The server and all the programs and files it needs are in the JUKEMAN directory. All paths described here are relative to the JUKEMAN directory.
The server cdnfsd runs as a daemon and receives requests from NFS clients, from cdadm and from the iXOS-JUKEMAN native file system for NT. It creates logfile.txt for messages and a database volumes for disk names and properties. It needs a file server.lic containing the license key (to use the IFS it also needs a valid writer.lic) and a file server.cfg containing the server configuration.
To enable task distribution and efficient service to a large number of clients, the server splits into separate threads. The number of threads increases with the number of devices. They share text and data to minimize load on the computer.
The server controls devices for handling disks and exports the disks in a single large file system in which each disk is represented by a directory. NFS clients just need a single mount, and PC clients connect a single network drive. The server hides the physical positions of the disks. Each disk is represented by a subdirectory, whether it is in a storage slot or in a drive. Clients don't know if a disk is actually stored in a jukebox, a tower or is a copy stored in another jukebox. They experience faster access to the disk because the server chooses the jukebox with less load.


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