Skip to main content
NetApp Knowledge Base

How does file locking work between NFS and SMB protocols?

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
Views:
2,073
Visibility:
Public
Votes:
0
Category:
ontap-9
Specialty:
nas
Last Updated:

Applies to

  • NFS
  • CIFS/SMB
  • ONTAP

Answer

  • NFS client locks are advisory
  • SMB client locks are mandatory
  • Advisory locking is when the operating system keeps track of which files have been locked by which process, but does not prevent a process from writing to a file that is locked by another process. This means that a process can ignore an advisory lock if the process has adequate permission.
  • Because of differences between the NFS and SMB file locks, an NFS client might fail to access a file previously opened by an SMB application.

Additional Information

For more instances of what happens when an NFS client attempts to access a file locked by an SMB application, please see About file locking between protocols.

NetApp provides no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or reliability or serviceability of any information or recommendations provided in this publication or with respect to any results that may be obtained by the use of the information or observance of any recommendations provided herein. The information in this document is distributed AS IS and the use of this information or the implementation of any recommendations or techniques herein is a customer's responsibility and depends on the customer's ability to evaluate and integrate them into the customer's operational environment. This document and the information contained herein may be used solely in connection with the NetApp products discussed in this document.