File Systems

This chapter will explain computer file systems and the NFS (NCSU file system) system. We’ll also explain how to access NFS remotely.

Sometimes you want to access a remote computer, which you’ll do via ssh. In E 115, the remote system we access is Eos (named for the Greek goddess of the dawn; MIT’s system is called Athena). SSH is a program/protocol to allow us to type on our own computers, let the results take place on a remote computer, and show us the results — this means you can run code on a remote computer! This requires an Internet connection, as SSH permits secure login connections and file transfer over the Internet or other untrusted networks. SSH has the ability to “tunnel” information and applications through a host. You send your information to a host, which forwards it to its actual destination.

Eos runs a sort of Linux operating system. Mac is also “UNIX-like”. Windows is not UNIX-like. You interface with the OS differently compared to Linux and macOS. However, there are ways to get access to Eos, and to run Unix-like commands from Windows, such as with PuTTY or PowerShell. There are many ways to do this: Windows users, let the lab admins know which of the options you run so we can best help with technical support!

Learning Outcomes

  1. Navigate and operate UNIX-based command-line operations.
  2. Send and receive e-mail and use other campus computing services
  3. Identify general features in networking, hardware and operating systems

Chapter Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify the role of a node (e.g., root, parent, child, leaf) within a file system hierarchy
  2. Identify the full path to a file or directory based on its position in a file tree diagram
  3. Explain the rules behind file names and extensions across operating systems
  4. Memorize and use path names in the NFS system, specifically for E 115.
  5. Access the NFS file system using campus-installed software (Terminal, Filezilla, or via mounting, as appropriate)
  6. Navigate a local file system via terminal and file explorer, including mounted drives and using file transfer protocol systems.