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NFS

Setup guide for sharing files over a local network using NFS between Linux and Unix-like systems.


Server

  1. Install

    Install the NFS server package to enable file sharing.

    Terminal window
    sudo apt update && sudo apt install nfs-kernel-server -y

  2. Add export

    Define the directory to share and specify client access in the NFS exports file.

    Terminal window
    echo "{{NFS_SHARE_VAR}} {{CLIENT_IP_VAR}}(rw,sync,no_subtree_check)" | sudo tee -a /etc/exports

  3. Apply export

    Reload the NFS exports to apply the changes.

    Terminal window
    sudo exportfs -ra

  4. Allow through firewall (optional)

    Open the NFS port to allow access from the specified client IP.

    Terminal window
    sudo ufw allow from {{CLIENT_IP_VAR}} to any port nfs

Client

  1. Install

    Install the NFS client package to enable mounting remote shares.

    Terminal window
    sudo apt update && sudo apt install nfs-common -y

  2. Create mount point

    Make a local directory where the shared files will be mounted.

    Terminal window
    mkdir -p {{NFS_MOUNT_VAR}}

  3. Manual mount

    Mount the shared directory manually from the server to the local mount point.

    Terminal window
    sudo mount {{SERVER_IP_VAR}}:{{NFS_SHARE_VAR}} {{NFS_MOUNT_VAR}}

  4. Automount

    Add an entry to /etc/fstab to mount the share automatically on boot.

    Terminal window
    sudo nano /etc/fstab
    Terminal window
    {SERVER_IP_VAR}:{{NFS_SHARE_VAR}}  {{NFS_MOUNT_VAR}}  nfs  noauto,x-systemd.automount,_netdev,nofail,timeo=5,retrans=2  0  0

  5. Unmount

    Unmount the shared directory. The -l (lazy) flag defers unmounting until the directory is no longer in use.

    Terminal window
    sudo umount -l {{NFS_MOUNT_VAR}}