How to Install OpenAFS on nixOS Latest

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.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure that you have access to a system with nixOS Latest installed, and you have root privileges to execute commands.

Installation

The installation of OpenAFS involves the steps given below.

Step 1: Update the System

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

Step 2: Install OpenAFS

We can install OpenAFS by running the command below:

sudo nix-env -i openafs

Step 3: Configure the OpenAFS Client

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.

Step 4: Start the OpenAFS Services

Finally, start the OpenAFS services by executing the following commands:

sudo systemctl start openafs-client
sudo systemctl enable openafs-client

Conclusion

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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