File server

Learn about the file server, including file server programs and how it works with the integrated file system.

The integrated file system is a part of the base iSeries™ server operating system that supports stream input/output and storage management, similar to personal computer and UNIX^® operating systems. The integrated file system also integrates all information that is stored on the iSeries server. iSeries servers can support several different file systems with similar interfaces. A file system allows users and applications to access specific segments of storage that are organized as file, directory, library, and object logical units.

The file server allows clients to store and access information, such as files and programs, located on the iSeries server. The file sever interfaces with the integrated file system and allows clients to use their own interface to interact with the file systems, rather than using the integrated file system user interfaces and APIs. The file server can give clients access to all of the iSeries file systems or just the Document Library Services File System (QDLS), depending on the support provided by the client product.

The key features of the integrated file system are the following:

Support for storing information in stream files, which are files that contain long, continuous strings of data. These strings of data might be, for example, the text of a document or the picture elements in a picture. Documents that are stored in iSeries folders are stream files. Other examples of stream files are PC files and the files in UNIX systems. The stream file support is designed for efficient use in client/server applications.
A hierarchical directory structure that allows objects to be organized like branches of a tree. To access an object, specify the path from the directories to the object.
A common interface that allows users and applications to access stream files, database files, documents, and other objects that are stored on the iSeries server.

For a list of iSeries file systems, see the Work with file systems topic collection. For more information about the integrated file system, see the Integrated file system topic collection.