OpenAFS is an open-source implementation of the Andrew File System (AFS) used for sharing files, data, and applications over a network. It provides cross-platform support with easy file sharing and data management. In this tutorial, we will install OpenAFS on nixOS Latest.
Before we begin, ensure that you have access to a system with nixOS Latest installed, and you have root privileges to execute commands.
The installation of OpenAFS involves the steps given below.
Before installing the OpenAFS package, it is always a good practice to update the system's packages to the latest versions. Run the following command to update the operating system:
sudo nixos-rebuild switch
We can install OpenAFS by running the command below:
sudo nix-env -i openafs
After the successful installation of OpenAFS, we need to configure the client components to access and use the AFS services. The configuration includes three steps: setting up the AFS configuration file (config), setting up the Kerberos configuration file (krb5.conf), and setting up the AFS server list (This step is optional).
Configuring the AFS Configuration file: Open the file /etc/openafs/client.conf
in any editor of your choice and add the following lines:
# afsdb cellname
#
# cellname can be one of the following options:
#
# - fs.georgetown.edu for Georgetown University
# - afs.unc.edu for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
# - columbia.edu for Columbia University
#
# Replace cellname with your school's name.
afsdb school.cellname.edu
Here, replace cellname with your school's name.
Configuring the Kerberos configuration file: Open the file /etc/krb5.conf
in any editor of your choice and add the following lines:
[libdefaults]
default_realm = SCHOOL.CELLNAME.EDU
kdc_timesync = 1
ccache_type = 4
[realms]
SCHOOL.CELLNAME.EDU = {
kdc = kerberos.school.cellname.edu:88
admin_server = kerberos.school.cellname.edu
default_domain = school.cellname.edu
kpasswd_server = kerberos.school.cellname.edu
}
[domain_realm]
.school.cellname.edu = SCHOOL.CELLNAME.EDU
school.cellname.edu = SCHOOL.CELLNAME.EDU
Here, replace cellname with your school's name.
Setting up the AFS server list: Open the file /usr/vice/etc/ThisCell
in any editor of your choice and add the following lines:
SCHOOL.CELLNAME.EDU
Here, replace cellname with your school's name.
Finally, start the OpenAFS services by executing the following commands:
sudo systemctl start openafs-client
sudo systemctl enable openafs-client
Congratulations! You have successfully installed and configured OpenAFS on nixOS Latest. With this system, you can now access and share files using the AFS protocol.
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