NFS File Systems

The objects that can be shared with the NFS service include any whole or partial directory tree or a file hierarchy--including a single file. A computer cannot share a file hierarchy that overlaps one that is already shared. Peripheral devices such as modems and printers cannot be shared.

In most UNIX® system environments, a file hierarchy that can be shared corresponds to a file system or to a portion of a file system; however, NFS support works across operating systems, and the concept of a file system might be meaningless in other, non-UNIX environments. Therefore, the term file system used throughout this guide refers to a file or file hierarchy that can be shared and mounted over the NFS environment.