Network File System Protocol Suite

The Network File System (NFS) suite of protocols is described in the following table.

Network File System Protocol Description

MOUNT

The MOUNT protocol, used in conjunction with NFS, performs operating system-specific functions that allow NFS clients to attach remote directory trees to a point within the local file system.

NFS

Network File System. This protocol provides transparent remote access to shared file systems across networks. NFS uses Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and is machine, operating system, network architecture, and transport protocol independent.

PORTMAP

The PORTMAP protocol converts RPC program numbers into Transmission Control Protocol/User Datagram Protocol (TCP/UDP) port numbers. When a client wants to make an RPC call to a given program number, it will first contact PORTMAP on the remote machine to determine the port number where RPC packets should be sent.

RPC

Remote Procedure Call. This protocol allows a program on one computer to make a subroutine call on a remote computer. Every subroutine or remote procedure is identified by a unique program number.