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# View global namespace servers

Network-attached storage is a file-level storage architecture that makes stored data more accessible to networked devices.

## Prerequisites

- A SMB server must be configured properly for the relevant NAS Server for GNS of SMB type to be created.
- NFS server (nfsv4) must be configured properly for the relevant NAS Server for GNS of NFS type to be created.
- GNS name should be unique across the same NAS Server and must not conflict with share/export name on the same NAS server. This limitation is because GNS internally implemented via DFS enabled SMB share.

## About this task

PowerMax File supports Global Namespace (GNS).

GNS (Global Namespace) provides namespaces in a similar way as Microsoft DFS management tool. PowerMax File GNS enables this functionality by grouping shared folders (or exports) located on different servers into one or more logically structured namespaces. It can access file storage with a single share/export (single access point), presenting all file system (FSs) a directory structure. It gives users a virtual view of shared folders, where a single path leads to files located on multiple SMB or NFS servers. PowerMax File provides this ability to create and manage GNS. The system provides the ability to create GNS links and then the user can add a targeted share/export to GNS. Multiple Links can be added to the same GNS and each link may reside in a nested path relative to the GNS root folder (for example,: GNS_ROOT/a/b/c/Link→some_target). The target folder might reside in another GNS hosting FS inside the same NAS server as GNS root and FS on the NAS server, which is different to the one that hosts SNS.

See Understanding PowerMax File for storage systems for an overview of PowerMax File.

## Steps

1. Select a storage system that supports PowerMax File.
2. Select Storage > File.
3. Select the GLOBAL NAMESPACES tab.

   The following properties display:

   - Namespace Server Name—Namespace server name
   - NAS Server—Identity of the NAS server
   - File System—Identity of the file system
   - Namespace Path (IPv4)—Namespace path (IPv4)
   - Namespace Path (IPv6)—Namespace path (IPv6)
   - Health—Indication of the health of the server

   Click to view the following properties:

   - Description—Description
   - Type—Type
   - Client Cache Timeout (Min)—Client cache timeout in minutes
   - Links Count—Number of links
   - NFS Export—NFS Export
   - SMB Share—SMB Share
   - Namespace Path (IPv4)—Namespace path (IPv4)
   - Namespace Path (IPv6)—Namespace path (IPv6)
   - Alerts-Associated alerts

   Click VIEW ALL DETAILS to view link information (see View global namespaces server links).

   The following controls are available:

   - Create— Create a file global namespace server
   - Modify— Modify file global namespace server properties
   - Restore—restores the selected namespace server name.
   - Activate— Activate cloned namespace server
   - — Delete file global namespace server
   GNS in a replication environment-The Nameserver (hosted on selected Namespace server) and its links/targets are available on the destination site after failover/switchover on the new primary site. When NAS Servers are replicated after the failover/switchover, administrators should take care of FS hosting GNS to be visible after the operation and make sure that the links are active after failover/switchover on the FS hosted GNS.