A file server for a network of low cost personal microcomputers

This paper describes a file server which was specifically designed to be the file store for a number of personal microcomputers attached to a local area network. In particular these personal machines (clients) have a very limited amount of memory with which to interface to the file server. The filing system supports an hierarchical directory structure with a simple capability‐like protection mechanism. Both the operations and communication protocol supported by the file server are chosen to make a client computer's interface code simple. Special attention is given to speeding up certain frequently used processor‐bound operations. Various aspects of the implementation are discussed, together with some suggested improvements.