How to use NFS on ZimaOS

Network file sharing protocols allow you to share files and directories from your computer with other devices on the network. Common protocols include SAMBA, NFS, and FTP.
Advantages of network sharing:

Aspect	USB Copy	Messaging Apps	Network Sharing
Storage	Local duplicates	Multiple copies	Centralized, no duplicates
Management	Manual, error-prone	Scattered in chats	Centralized control
Media Usage	Full copy required	Full download needed	Streaming support
Collaboration	Physical transfer	File size limits	Real-time multi-access

ZimaOS currently provides CLI and GUI support for SAMBA. In versions after 1.3.2, ZimaOS also integrates NFS functionality (at CLI level). This tutorial demonstrates how to use NFS on ZimaOS to share folders and access them from Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu.
You need to create or find a folder for sharing first. Here, I will use /DATA/C/demoas an example.

Edit the Configuration File

Use vi to edit the /etc/exportsfile, which is the configuration file for NFS.

# First, you need to enter the ZimaOS web terminal and obtain the root privilege.
# ZimaOS dashboard -> Settings -> General 
# -> Developer mode -> Web-based terminal
# Log in and switch to root
sudo -i

# edit the configuration file
vi /etc/exports

# in the /etc/exports, paste this line
/DATA/C/demo *(rw,sync,no_subtree_check)

# the first column specifies the shared folder(e.g., /DATA/C/demo)
# the second column defines
    # The subnet that has the permission to access
        # e.g., 10.0.0.0/8,
        # the * stands for allowing accessing from all networks
    # Allow Read and Write permission for network users(rw)
    # Writing Method, usually sync or async is taken (sync in this case)
    # no_subtree_check allows full access to the shared directory without subtree restrictions
# refer to this: https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red_hat_enterprise_linux/5/html/deployment_guide/s1-nfs-server-config-exports#s1-nfs-server-config-exports

It will work automatically, even after reboot.

Bring the Configuration File into Effect

# In some cases,
# You may need to run this command in the shell to make the configuraion effective.
systemctl restart nfs-server

#or
exportfs -a

Use（Mount/Unmount) the NFS Folders

On ZimaOS/Ubuntu

# Tested on ZimaOS 1.3.2-beta2 and Ubuntu 22.04.5 LTS
# Here on a client machine
# open Terminal
# switch to root first
# make a dir for mounting
sudo -i
mkdir /mnt/demo

# mount the nfs folder
# this ip is the Server's IP
mount 10.0.0.71:/DATA/C/demo /mnt/demo

# Now you can view and use your sharing

# you may want to remove the mounted NFS folders one day
# Just check mounted folders
df -h
# or
mount | grep nfs

# unmount the nfs folders
umount /mnt/demo

On macOS

# Tested on macOS Sequoia on M4 Chip
# make a directory for mounting
mkdir ~/demo

# mount the nfs folder
# you need to use sudo to mount
# it will prompt you to input the password
sudo mount -t nfs -o resvport 10.0.0.71:/DATA/C/demo ~/demo

# open the folder for using
open .

# you may want to remove the mounted NFS folders one day
# Just check mounted folders
df -h
# or
mount | grep nfs

# unmount the nfs folders
sudo umount /mnt/demo

On Windows

# Tested on Windows 11
# you may need enter to CMD first 
# since the terminal may place you in Powershell by default on Windows 11
cmd

# You may need to change W: to an available character that is not occupied
mount \\10.0.0.71\DATA\C\demo W:

# Now you can view and use your sharing

# you may want to remove the mounted NFS folders one day
# Just check mounted folders
net use

# unmount the nfs folders
net use W: /delete

The screenshot after mounting on Windows:

Useful Tips

Here are some commands that you may need further.

# On the ZimaOS server
# check the status of nfs-service
systemctl status nfs-server

# remove or comment out the line of /etc/exports to disable sharing
# run this to make it effective
exportfs -a
# or
systemctl restart nfs-server

If you encounter any issues during use, feel free to let us know at any time. You can also join our community and Discord to discuss more about NAS and ZimaOS. We look forward to your feedback!