Step-by-Step Guide to Create and Attach an NFS Mount Point to a New Server

Step-by-Step Guide to Create and Attach an NFS Mount Point to a New Server

Prerequisites:

1. NFS Server: A server with NFS (Network File System) installed and configured to export the directory.
2. Client Server: The server where the NFS mount point will be attached.
3. Network Connectivity: Ensure both servers can communicate over the network.

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Steps on the Source NFS Server where the storage is present

1. Install NFS Utilities

sudo yum install -y nfs-utils  # For Red Hat-based systems
sudo apt-get install -y nfs-kernel-server  # For Debian-based systems

2. Create the Directory to Export

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/shared

3. Set Permissions for the Directory

sudo chmod 777 /mnt/shared

4. Edit the Exports File

Add the directory to /etc/exports with the appropriate permissions:

sudo nano /etc/exports

Add the following line to export the directory:

/mnt/shared *(rw,sync,no_root_squash)

• rw: Read-write access.
• sync: Synchronize changes immediately.
• no_root_squash: Allows root on the client to act as root on the NFS server.

5. Export the Directory

Run the following command to make the changes effective:

sudo exportfs -rav

6. Start and Enable the NFS Service

sudo systemctl start nfs-server
sudo systemctl enable nfs-server

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Steps on the Client Server

1. Install NFS Utilities

sudo yum install -y nfs-utils  # For Red Hat-based systems
sudo apt-get install -y nfs-common  # For Debian-based systems

2. Create a Mount Point

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/nfs_shared

3. Mount the NFS Share Temporarily

Use the mount command to mount the NFS share:

sudo mount -t nfs <NFS_SERVER_IP>:/mnt/shared /mnt/nfs_shared

Replace <NFS_SERVER_IP> with the IP address of the NFS server.

4. Verify the Mount

Check if the NFS share is mounted:

df -h

You should see the NFS share listed as /mnt/nfs_shared.

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Persist the Mount Across Reboots

1. Open the fstab file:

   
   sudo nano /etc/fstab
   

2. Add an entry for the NFS share:

   
   <NFS_SERVER_IP>:/mnt/shared /mnt/nfs_shared nfs defaults 0 0
   

3. Save the file and exit.

4. Test the fstab entry by unmounting and remounting all filesystems:

   sudo umount /mnt/nfs_shared
   sudo mount -a
   

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Verification

1. Test writing and reading files on the mount point:

   
   sudo touch /mnt/nfs_shared/test_file
   ls -l /mnt/nfs_shared/
   

2. Ensure the file appears on both the NFS server and client.

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Troubleshooting

1. Firewall:

   • Ensure the required NFS ports are open:

     
     sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=nfs --permanent
     sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=rpc-bind --permanent
     sudo firewall-cmd --add-service=mountd --permanent
     sudo firewall-cmd --reload
     

2. SELinux:

   • Allow NFS through SELinux:

     
     sudo setsebool -P nfs_export_all_rw 1

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