The full form of NFS is a network file system whereas CIFS is the common internet file system. NFS helps avail a user to closely observe or edit on another computer through the network from a computer. But CIFS helps the user to access another computer that is connected to the same server as the computer.
NFS vs CIFS
The main difference between NFS and CIFS is that NFS helps the user to restore the data over the web from a different computer that is equivalent to accessing limited storage files. On the other hand, CIFS helps the user to collaboratively work unitedly from different groups and share data, files, or documents as a combined web of networks.
Network File System(NFS) was outlined by Sun Microsystems in 1984. It’s a structured agreement of files, enabling the operator to retrieve documents and files over the web from another device which is similar to the process of accessing limited storage files. Everyone can execute the protocol as NFS is an open standard.
Common Internet File System (CIFS) has been adapted for usage over the web. This is a general version of SMB (Server Message Block) which has mainly been designed for sharing file protocols over an internet connection. CIFS allows users of various groups in sharing and collaborating information and documents within a combined network.
Comparison Table Between NFS and CIFS
| Parameters Of Comparison | NFS | CIFS |
| Transportation | NFS is a concordat used for transferring files. It also provides an excessive evaluation in terms of commuting speed. | CIFS is utilized for non-deviated arrangements. Generally, CIFS’s transferring of files is dependent on NetBios over the protocols namely IP and TCP. |
| Definition | Network file system, also wedged as NFS is largely used and operated on LINUX or UNIX types of operating systems. | The Common internet file system(CIFS) has been developed for generating restricted acquiring of ‘Windows’ type operating systems. |
| Port Protocols | The number of port protocols required by NFS is 111. This is applicable for both the ports UDP as well as TCP. | By CIFS, the ports required for TCP are 139 and 445 whereas for UDP 137 and 138 ports are required. |
| Usage |
NFS is solely used for sharing files as well as documents over Linux and Unix and it also provides assemblies. | CIFS type of protocol allows sharing of files as well as documents over Windows and it does not provide any session. |
| Implementation | Installation of NFS is easy and simple and is very user-friendly because of the commands which are provided, thereby simplifying its execution. | The layout of CIFS is very complicated. Also, there is a big difficulty in recognition of any kind of lagging in the protocol. |
What is NFS?
The Network File System or NFS was founded by Sun Microsystems. The network was used vastly by operating systems that are based on Linux or Unix. The applications are provided with capabilities of remote access with the help of this network. The computer owned by the user can be closely examined or viewed by the user from another computer with the help of this remote access.
The remote access also avails the user to edit on his computer from another computer. For instance, if the old file has the possibility of getting damaged or is already damaged, then it can be repaired by the user from another computer at a distance.
This protocol or network enables the user to make a change or improvise on his computer with the help of just a network. As compared to the communication in CIFS, NFS can provide better communication. It does not provide the feature for sessions. The scalability and speed of NFS are greater than that of CIFS.
What is CIFS?
The Common Internet File System or the CIFS is considered to be a Windows-based network is sharing the file. The network can work on devices that function on Windows OS. Microsoft’s invention of Server Message Block was made as a public version with the introduction of CIFS. This characteristic is able to share several devices or printers with the device. It also enables the device to share several ports for the administration and user.
Once a computer is linked with a server, this feature helps the user to access that computer’s files through another computer. It makes a request for accessing the file beforehand that is served by the server as an answer to the client requesting to access the files. The CIFS helps large data companies to work with its feature of availing data to the multiple users or employees in the company situated at multiple locations. CIFS is most likely to develop confusion or complications during communication. It has the feature for providing sessions and contains a greater number of security features.
Main Differences between NFS and CIFS
- NFS is vastly used as concordat to transfer files and CIFS transfer files based on the NetBios on top of protocols that are IP and TCP.
- NFS is vastly used or applied in UNIX or LINUX operating systems. On the other hand, CIFS is vastly based on windows OS to generate its functions.
- NFS is solely applied during file or document sharing in Linux or Unix whereas CIFS is used in windows for the same purpose but fails to provide sessions.
- NFS is affiliated with easier installation and execution for the user but CIFS is considered to be complicated and lagging in the protocol is recognized with huge complications.
- NFS needs 111 port protocols for either UDP or TCP whereas CIFS needs 139 and 445 ports for UDP or 137 and 138 ports for UDP.
Conclusion
Thus it can be concluded by saying that NFS and CIFS are distinctly different from each other concerning several parameters. The former can work or share files or documents on UNIX or LUNIX OS whereas the latter can work only on windows affiliated operating systems. NIFS has a better-evolved communication system without complication contrasting to the feature that of CIFS. The former has more scalability and speed than CIPS that is low in scalability and is associated with moderate speed. NFS is not featured with reliable security like that of CISF which is associated with descriptive security systems.
References
- https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/1222721
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/cpe.1644