GFS is a native file system that interfaces directly with the VFS layer of the Linux kernel file-system interface. GFS is a cluster file system that employs distributed metadata and multiple journals for optimal operation in a cluster. Cluster management of GFS nodes is managed through Red Hat Cluster Suite. Volume management is managed through CLVM (Cluster Logical Volume Manager). For information about Red Hat Cluster Suite refer to Configuring and Managing a Red Hat Cluster. For information about using CLVM, refer to LVM Administrator's Guide.
Note
CLVM is a cluster-wide implementation of LVM, enabled by the CLVM daemon, clvmd running in a Red Hat Cluster Suite cluster. The daemon makes it possible to use LVM2 to manage logical volumes across a cluster, allowing all nodes in the cluster to share the logical volumes.
GFS provides the following main functions:
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Making a File System
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Mounting a File System
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Unmounting a File System
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GFS Quota Management
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Growing a File System
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Adding Journals to a File System
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Direct I/O
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Data Journaling
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Configuring atime Updates
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Suspending Activity on a File System
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Displaying Extended GFS Information and Statistics
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Repairing a File System
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Context-Dependent Path Names (CDPN)
