Distributed file systems in HLD - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a distributed file system?

A distributed file system is a way to store and access files across multiple computers as if they were on a single machine. It helps share data easily and reliably over a network.

beginner

Why do distributed file systems use replication?

Replication means keeping copies of files on different machines. It helps protect data if one machine fails and improves speed by letting users access the closest copy.

intermediate

What is the role of a metadata server in a distributed file system?

The metadata server keeps track of where files are stored, their names, and permissions. It helps find files quickly without searching all machines.

advanced

How does a distributed file system handle concurrent writes to the same file?

It uses locking or version control to make sure changes don’t conflict. This keeps data consistent and prevents errors when many users write at once.

intermediate

Name two popular distributed file systems and a key feature of each.

HDFS (Hadoop Distributed File System) is designed for big data and stores large files across many machines. Ceph is highly scalable and supports block, object, and file storage.

What is the main purpose of a distributed file system?

A To compress files to save space

B To backup files on a single machine

C To encrypt files for security

D To store files across multiple machines for easy access

Distributed file systems store files on many machines to allow easy and reliable access over a network.

Which component tracks file locations in a distributed file system?

A Data node

B Metadata server

C Client

D Load balancer

The metadata server keeps information about where files are stored and their details.

Why is replication important in distributed file systems?

A To improve fault tolerance and speed

B To reduce file size

C To encrypt data

D To limit user access

Replication creates copies of data to protect against failures and improve access speed.

How do distributed file systems maintain consistency during concurrent writes?

A By locking files or using version control

B By ignoring conflicts

C By deleting old files

D By copying files to clients

Locking or version control prevents conflicting changes and keeps data consistent.

Which distributed file system is designed for big data storage?

A Ceph

B NFS

C HDFS

D FTP

HDFS is built to store and process large data sets across many machines.

Explain how a distributed file system ensures data availability and fault tolerance.

Think about how copies help when one machine fails.

Describe the role of metadata servers and data nodes in a distributed file system.

Consider who knows where files are and who holds the files.