The pulse distributed file system
G. M. Tomlinson, D. Keeffe, I. C. Wand, A. J. Wellings · Software Practice and Experience · 1985
Abstract A network of powerful personal computers, linked by a high‐speed local area network, is being seen increasingly as an alternative to a traditional centralized time‐sharing operating system. The PULSE project is investigating how such a system may be constructed to give the benefits of a self‐sufficient personal computer to each user without losing the facilities for communication and sharing of data inherent in centralized systems. In particular, a distributed file system has been built which provides a single global UNIX UNIX is a trademark of Bell Laboratories. ‐like hierarchy, with a consistent appearance when accessed from any machine. Replicated copies of files are maintained to improve reliability, increase performance, and enable each machine to run stand‐alone, albeit with reduced facilities.