SNFS allows for dynamic file space allocation
R.T. Pfaff, C.L.B. Siciliano · OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) · 1992
Simulated network file server (SNFS) replaces or supplements data migration. Stubs allow executables to appear to be where users expect them; actual executables reside in sub-directories in the scratch area (/usr/tmp). SNFS transparently checks for a file in /usr/tmp. If it exists, SNFS executes it, otherwise, SNFS retrieves it from archival storage (CFS), installs it in /usr/tmp, and then executes it. Space allocated for utilities can be significantly reduced. Since /usr/tmp files are periodically purged, only frequently used software remains on disk and such space is dynamically managed. SNFS also eases installation of software on multiple machines SNFS runs with Secure Mode UNICOS and Multi-Level Security (MLS).