FileSphere: A Distributed File System Project

Overview

This project implements a distributed file system using socket programming in C. The system is designed to handle multiple clients and includes three servers: Smain, Spdf, and Stext. Clients interact exclusively with the Smain server, which handles file storage and distribution transparently by delegating certain files to the Spdf and Stext servers.

Components

1. Smain (Main Server):

   • Stores .c files locally.
   • Transfers .pdf files to the Spdf server.
   • Transfers .txt files to the Stext server.

2. Spdf (PDF Server):

   • Stores .pdf files.

3. Stext (Text Server):

   • Stores .txt files.

4. client24s (Client):

   • Provides a command-line interface for interacting with the Smain server.

File Structure

• Smain.c: Contains the implementation for the Smain server.
• Spdf.c: Contains the implementation for the Spdf server.
• Stext.c: Contains the implementation for the Stext server.
• client24s.c: Contains the implementation for the client program.

Server Details

• Smain:

  • Listens for client connections.
  • Manages file storage and redirection of .pdf and .txt files.
  • Forks a child process for each client connection to handle requests.

• Spdf:

  • Handles requests from Smain for storing and retrieving .pdf files.

• Stext:

  • Handles requests from Smain for storing and retrieving .txt files.

Client Commands

The client supports the following commands:

1. ufile filename destination_path:

   • Uploads a file to Smain.
   • Smain handles redirection to Spdf or Stext if necessary.

2. dfile filename:

   • Downloads a file from Smain.
   • Smain retrieves the file from the appropriate server if needed.

3. rmfile filename:

   • Removes a file from Smain.
   • Smain requests deletion from Spdf or Stext if necessary.

4. dtar filetype:

   • Creates a tar file of the specified type (.c, .pdf, or .txt) and downloads it.

5. display pathname:

   • Lists all files of type .c, .pdf, and .txt in the specified directory.

Installation and Usage

1. Compile the Code:

   gcc -o Smain Smain.c
   gcc -o Spdf Spdf.c
   gcc -o Stext Stext.c
   gcc -o client24s client24s.c

2. Run the Servers:

   • Start Smain on one terminal:

     ./Smain

   • Start Spdf on another terminal:

     ./Spdf

   • Start Stext on a third terminal:

     ./Stext

3. Run the Client:

   ./client24s

4. Example Commands:

   • Upload a file:

     client24s$ ufile sample.c ~smain/folder1/folder2

   • Download a file:

     client24s$ dfile ~smain/folder1/folder2/sample.c

   • Remove a file:

     client24s$ rmfile ~smain/folder1/folder2/sample.c

   • Create a tar file:

     client24s$ dtar .c

   • Display files:

     client24s$ display ~smain/folder1

Notes

• Ensure that all servers and the client are running on different machines/terminals.
• Paths are case-sensitive, and directory structures must be created as needed.
• Proper error handling is implemented for command validation and network issues.