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Network File System (NFS)

Network File System (NFS) provides shared file storage over a network. Linux, Unix, and other compatible systems can access files and directories from a centralized location.

Overview

Use NFS when multiple systems need access to the same shared file storage. The service supports centralized file management, multi-client access, and shared repositories for application data, team files, backups, logs, or archives.

Features

Feature Description
Centralized file storage Stores files in one shared location that multiple systems can access over the network.
Seamless access Lets environments and applications work with shared files as though they are stored locally.
Multi-client sharing Supports access from multiple Linux, Unix, and compatible systems.
Efficient file management Helps organize and maintain shared files and directories across systems.

Use Cases

  • Shared team storage.
  • Application data shared by multiple servers.
  • Centralized file repositories.
  • Backup, log, or archive storage.

Prerequisites

  • A shared IP address must be assigned to the VMs that need access to the NFS share.

Note

Shared IP assignment is covered in the public IP and shared IP workflow under Networking.

Creating an NFS Share

  1. Open Storage.
  2. Open NFS.
  3. Click Create.
  4. Enter the required share details, including allowed shared IPs.
  5. Submit the request.

To allow access to the file share, create an outgoing firewall rule from the shared IP address to the pool IP address.

Tip

Allowed shared IPs are the shared IP addresses of the VMs that require access to the NFS share. The allowed shared IP list can be updated later from the share details page.

Firewall Rules for NFS Access

Configure the following firewall rules to allow client access to the NFS share:

  • Direction: Outgoing
  • Policy Type: SSA → SHA
  • Source: Your VM shared IP address
  • Destination: NFS pool IP addresses
  • Services: NFS

Managing NFS Shares

Click the share name to access its details.

Tab Purpose
Details Shows general share information and storage configuration. You can update the share quota and add or remove allowed shared IP addresses from this tab.
Backups Provides backup management for the share. To find out more visit File Share Backup and Restore Documentation
History Shows changes and actions performed on the share.

Quick Guide: Connecting to the NFS Share

This guide explains how to mount and connect to the NFS (Network File System) server. Depending on your environment type, connect using either a DNS domain name or a shared IP address.

Step 1: Choose Your Connection Path

Before running any commands, identify which environment type applies to you.

environemnt Type Connection Method NFS Target Address
Type A: Modern environment DNS record ry1-nfs.cloud.site.sa or jd1-nfs.cloud.site.sa
Type B: Legacy environment Shared IP address 100.65.X.X using an NFS pool IP address

Type B environemt

Replace 100.65.X.X in the commands below with the exact NFS pool IP address provided to you.

Step 2: Mount the NFS Share

Choose the instructions that match your operating system and the environemnt type identified in Step 1.

Option 1: Linux / macOS

Install the required NFS tools:

Ubuntu / Debian

sudo apt install nfs-common

RHEL / CentOS

sudo yum install nfs-utils

Create a local directory where the NFS share will be mounted (e.g.,/mnt/nfs_share) 

sudo mkdir -p /mnt/nfs_share

Mount the Share

sudo mount -t nfs ry1-nfs.cloud.site.sa:/Path/in/Portal /mnt/nfs_share

sudo mount -t nfs 100.65.X.X:/Path/in/Portal /mnt/nfs_share

Note

Be sure to replace /Path/in/Portal with the actual shared folder path.

Option 2: Windows

  • Ensure the Client for NFS feature is enabled:

    Control Panel > Programs and Features > Turn Windows features on or off > Client for NFS

  • Open Command Prompt and run the applicable command.

mount \\ry1-nfs.cloud.site.sa\Path\in\Portal Z:

mount \\100.65.X.X\Path\in\Portal Z:

The NFS share will be mounted as the Z: drive.

Connect from an HSA VM

Step 1: open the required firewall rules between the HSA VM and NFS pool IP addresses.

Step 2: mount with one of the provided pool IP addresses in the share details page.

mount -t nfs4 100.65.x.x:/ifs/nfs-ry/mydata /mnt/mydata

Note

Use the NFS pool IP address provided for the relevant region when mounting from an HSA VM.

Troubleshooting

Connection timeout

Confirm that you are connected to the correct network. For Type B environments, ensure that your VPN or direct line is active and that you can ping 100.65.X.X.

Permission denied

Ensure that your local IP address or client machine is included in the NFS server export list.

Important

  • Replace <Your NFS shared IP> with your actual NFS server IP address
  • Replace <PATH in portal> with the specific NFS path from your portal
  • Replace X: with your desired drive letter (Windows)
  • Replace <your local path> with your desired mount point (Linux)