Catalogue of Distributed File/Operating Systems

The book contains a comprehensive survey of distributed file and operating systems presently in existence or of historical interest. It is encyclopedic, i.e. each system is independently described according to a catalogue of criteria. It covers the major design issues of distributed systems and allows the reader to understand and compare the different approaches undertaken. Moreover it provides contact addresses and gives more than 600 references to the literature.

In general, distributed systems can be classified into Distributed File Systems (DFS) and Distributed Operating Systems (DOS). The survey which follows distinguishes be tween DFS approaches in Chapters 2-3, and DOS approaches in Chapters 4-5. Within DFS and DOS, I further distinguish "traditional" and object-oriented approaches. A traditional approach is one where processes are the active components in the systems and where the name space is hierarchically organized. In a centralized environment, UNIX would be a good example of a traditional approach. On the other hand, an object-oriented approach deals with objects in which all information is encapsulated. Some systems of importance do not fit into the DFS/DOS classification. I call these systems "closely related" and put them into Chapter 6. Chapter 7 contains a table of comparison. This table gives a lucid overview summarizing the information provided and allowing for quick access. The last chapter is added for the sake of completeness. It contains very brief descriptions of other related systems. These systems are of minor interest or do not provide transparency at all. Sometimes I had to assign a system to this chapter simply for lack of adequate information about it.

Das Buch gibt einen umfassenden Überblick über aktuell existierende oder historisch interessante verteilte Datei- und Betriebssysteme. Die Einzelbeschreibung der Systeme orientiert sich an einem Kriterienkatalog der wesentlichen Designgesichtspunkte für verteilte Systeme. Kontaktadressen und mehr als 600 Literaturhinweise bieten Gelegenheit, das gewonnene Wissen zu vertiefen.

The book contains a comprehensive survey of distributed file and operating systems presently in existence or of historical interest. It is encyclopedic, i.e. each system is independently described according to a catalogue of criteria. It covers the major design issues of distributed systems and allows the reader to understand and compare the different approaches undertaken. Moreover it provides contact addresses and gives more than 600 references to the literature.

1 Introduction.- 1.1 Presentation of a Catalogue of Criteria.- 1.2 Organization of the Survey.- 2 Traditional Distributed File Systems.- 2.1 Alpine.- 2.2 Andrew File System (AFS).- 2.3 Cedar File System (CFS).- 2.4 Coda.- 2.5 Extended File System (EFS).- 2.6 HARKYS.- 2.7 IBIS.- 2.8 Network File System (NFS).- 2.9 Remote File Sharing (RFS).- 2.10 S-/F-UNIX.- 2.11 Spritely NFS.- 2.12 VAXcluster.- 2.13 Xerox Distributed File System (XDFS).- 3 Object-Oriented Distributed File Systems.- 3.1 DOMAIN.- 3.2 Helix.- 3.3 SWALLOW.- 4 Traditional Distributed Operating Systems.- 4.1 Accent.- 4.2 Cambridge Distributed Computing System (CDCS).- 4.3 Charlotte.- 4.4 DEMOS/MP.- 4.5 DIOS.- 4.6 Distributed Academic Computing Networking OS (DACNOS).- 4.7 DUNE.- 4.8 DUNIX.- 4.9 Freedomnet.- 4.10 HERMIX.- 4.11 JASMIN.- 4.12 LOCUS.- 4.13 MACH.- 4.14 Multicomputer Operating System (MOS).- 4.15 Newcastle Connection.- 4.16 PULSE.- 4.17 QuickSilver.- 4.18 Research Oriented Distributed Operating System (RHODOS).- 4.19 Saguaro.- 4.20 Sprite.- 4.21 V.- 4.22 WANDA.- 4.23 Wisdom.- 5 Object-Oriented Distributed Operating Systems.- 5.1 Alpha.- 5.2 Amoeba.- 5.3 Argus.- 5.4 BirliX.- 5.5 Chorus.- 5.6 Clouds.- 5.7 Cronus.- 5.8 Cosmos.- 5.9 Eden.- 5.10 Gothic.- 5.11 Grenoble Universities Integrated Distributed Environment (Guide).- 5.12 Gutenberg.- 5.13 MARUTI.- 5.14 NEXUS.- 5.15 Process Execution And Communication Environment (PEACE).- 5.16 Profemo.- 5.17 Prospero.- 5.18 SOMIW Operating System (SOS).- 6 Closely Related Systems.- 6.1 Athena.- 6.2 Avalon.- 6.3 DAPHNE.- 6.4 DASH.- 6.5 Emerald.- 6.6 Enchère.- 6.7 Galaxy.- 6.8 Global, Active and Flexible File Environment Study (GAFFES).- 6.9 Grapevine.- 6.10 Heterogeneous Computer System (HCS).- 6.11 Incremental Architecture for Distributed Systems (INCAS).- 6.12ISIS.- 6.13 Medusa.- 6.14 Meglos.- 6.15 Mirage.- 6.16 Network Computing Architecture/System (NCA/NCS).- 6.17 Plan 9.- 6.18 Psyche.- 6.19 Server Message Block Protocol (SMB).- 6.20 Symunix.- 6.21 Synthesis.- 6.22 x-Kernel.- 7 Table of Comparison.- 8 Related Projects.- 8.1 Acorn.- 8.2 Agora.- 8.3 Amber.- 8.4 Arachne.- 8.5 Arca.- 8.6 Arcade.- 8.7 Archons (ArchOS).- 8.8 Argos.- 8.9 Arjuna.- 8.10 Boston Community Information System (BCIS).- 8.11 Camelot.- 8.12 Carnegie Mellon Central File System (CMCFS).- 8.13 Choices.- 8.14 Circus.- 8.15 Clearinghouse.- 8.16 Cocanet.- 8.17 Computing System for Societies of Agents (CSSA).- 8.18 CONIC.- 8.19 Customer Information Control System (CICS).- 8.20 Datacomputer.- 8.21 Deceit.- 8.22 DEMOS.- 8.23 DFS925.- 8.24 DISTRIX.- 8.25 Dragon Slayer.- 8.26 Echo.- 8.27 Encompass.- 8.28 Felix.- 8.29 Ficus.- 8.30 FileNet.- 8.31 Firefly.- 8.32 Generic File System (GFS).- 8.33 Helios.- 8.34 HERON.- 8.35 Intelligent Distributed Resource Processing System (IDRPS).- 8.36 Interim Füe System (IFS).- 8.37 Language for Distributed Systems (LADY).- 8.38 Lynx.- 8.39 Management of Distributed Systems (MANDIS).- 8.40 Melampus.- 8.41 Meta.- 8.42 MICROS.- 8.43 MODOS.- 8.44 Munin.- 8.45 Network Workstations (NEST).- 8.46 Networked Resource Discovery Project (NRDP).- 8.47 NonStop.- 8.48 Onyx.- 8.49 PHARROS.- 8.50 Presto.- 8.51 R?.- 8.52 Rapport.- 8.53 RNFS.- 8.54 Rochester's Intelligent Gateway (RIG).- 8.55 ROE.- 8.56 Roscoe.- 8.57 RSS.- 8.58 RT PC Distributed Services.- 8.59 S/Net's Linda Kernel.- 8.60 Sesame.- 8.61 StarOS.- 8.62 STORK.- 8.63 Thoth.- 8.64 TimixV2.- 8.65 Topaz (Taos).- 8.66 Transparent Integrated Local and Distributed Environment (TILDE).- 8.67 Transparent Remote Füe System (TRFS).- 8.68 Trollius (Trillium).- 8.69 Universal Poly-Processorwith Enhanced Reliability (UPPER).- 8.70 Woodstock File Server (WFS).- 8.71 Xcode.- 8.72 Z-Ring File Server.