Setting Up NFS/AutoFS

The Network File System (NFS) is a mechanism for storing files on a network. It is a distributed file system that allows users to access files and directories located on remote computers and treat those files and directories as if they were local. AutoFS is a service that automatically mounts (and unmounts) filesystems when accessed, making NFS storage more efficient.

Step 1: Set Up NFS Export on Server

Setup NFS server named (server) on a VM and share /home to only the client.

  1. Install NFS Server Tools and NFS Server

sudo yum install nfs-utils
sudo yum install nfs-kernel-server

  1. Configure Exports

Add the export rule to /etc/exports:

/home client_IP(rw,sync,no_subtree_check)

  • Replace client_IP with the actual IP or hostname of the client.

  1. Restart the Service

sudo systemctl restart nfs-kernel-server

Step 2: Set Up User on Server

  1. Create tsqaure User on Server

sudo useradd -m -d /home/tsquare tsquare
sudo passwd tsquare

  • This user’s home folder now lives on the NFS-exported directory /home.

Step 3: Mount Export on Client

  1. Install NFS Client

sudo yum install nfs-common

  1. Mount the NFS Share

sudo mount server:/home /mnt/home

Step 4: Enable Persistence via /etc/fstab

  1. Make /mnt/home Permanent Across Reboot (on client)

  • Edit the /etc/fstab and add:

server:/home	/mnt/home	nfs	defaults	0 0

  • This ensures it mounts on boot.

Step 5: Add Client User Pointing to Mounted Home

  1. Add a User to (client) and Make /mnt/home their Home Directory

  • Let’s say the user is tsquare, and their home is mounted over NFS:

sudo user add -d /mnt/home/tsquare -s /bin/bash tsquare
sudo passwd tsquare

  • Now when tsquare logs in, it uses /mnt/home/tsquare as their home, backed by the NFS share.

Step 6: Migrate NFS Mount

  1. On (client) Migrate /mnt/home to /home and Retain Permanent Users

  • This means you want the server’s /home (shared via NFS) to be mounted as the local /home directory on the client. Start by unmounting /mnt/home:

sudo umount /mnt/home

  • Update /etc/fstab:

server:home	/home	nfs	defaults	0 0

  • Mount it:

sudo mount -a

  • Now the /home directory on the client is actually coming from the server via NFS.

Note: You must create the tsquare user on the client with the same UID/GID as on the server.

sudo useradd -u [UID] -g [GID] -d /home/tsquare -s /bin/bash tsquare

  • Use id tsquare on the server to fidn UID/GID.

  • This ensures correct ownership of files when tsquare logs into the client.

Step 7: Use AutoFS for Dynamic Mounting

Setup autofs on (client) so that /server/home works. This uses autofs to mount the NFS share on demand.

  1. Install AutoFS

sudo yum install autofs

  1. Edit /etc/auto.master and Add

/server	/etc/auto.home

  1. Create /etc/auto.home:

home	-fstype=nfs	server:/home

  1. Restart AutoFS

sudo systemctl restart autofs

  • Now when you cd /server/home, autofs automatically mounts it.

Step 8: Enable Root Access

Share server:/home with your desktop so root can write a file to /home/root as root. On the server:

  1. Allow Root Access in /etc/exports

/home	desktop_IP(rw,sync,no_subtree_check,no_root_squash)

Note: no_root_squash lets the remote root user act as root on the share – use with caution!

  1. Mount the Share and Write as Root

  • On the desktop:

sudo mount server:/home /mnt/home
sudo touch /mnt/home/root/hello.txt

Things to Keep in Mind

  • AutoFS works in tandem with NFS, rather than replacing it.

  • Be careful with syntax and spacing in nfs configuration files.

Resources

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