For some or other reason, this does not seem to work:

I mount a directory from machine a in the directory tree in machine b. I then mount a part of the directory tree that contains the mount from a in machine c.

Now, from machine c, I can see the directories for both machines a and b, but I cannot see the files in the directories of a. I have checked the permissions in all the directories (set them to 777), and made sure my exports allow exports to c from both a and b.

Is this a limitation of NFS, or do I need to fix something?

Thanks!
Steve

it's part of NFS, you could be exporting all things all over the place if this was allowed. you can only export local data. this is a good thing. basically you need a better approach to sharing files on your network.

Thanks for the response.

What I am trying to do, is use several blocks of free space on the 5 different machines on my home network for sharing music, and other, files. I was hoping to make this transparent, in that all the shares are mounted to one directory which the other machines can then mount, making changes to the configuration only necessary on that one machine.

Of course, NOW, I see what you mean - that would create a cyclical system.

So, what approach would you suggest, or am I stuck with configuring each machine individually?

Thanks
Steve

well you have the slightly ropey option of placing a centrally editable script on a main nfs share. this contains a script to mount other shares whever the share is accessed from...

Yeah, probably quicker and cleaner to just edit the individual machines.

Thanks
Steve

@Steve Cronje
NFS: a mounted to b, b mounted to c, c can't read a?

This is not allowed by nfs protocol, it doesn't allow u to export and exported files only local files can be exported.

Is there any specifice need to do that. Just mount everthing u want from m/c 'a' directly without mounting it to 'b' and from 'b' to 'c'.



-Akshat

A more extensive way would be to try and set up some distributed filesystem. Haven't looked any deeper into that though.

Just convenience. If I have all the mounts in one central place, I do not have to edit the configuration of every machine every time something changes on the network. If you knew what a fiddler I am, you would understand!! ;-)

Steve

hmm ..
I guess that's really what I am trying to do, but without the effort! I haven't researched this at all myself, either. It may be overkill for me, though.

Thanks for the reply.

Steve

Quoting myself here, I should become a politician ;-)

From the Coda manual:

Of course, I am trying to use all the odd GBs of disk space lying around on my home network, which is mainly static, other than for one laptop, so perhaps this won't work, either.

Steve