NFS Server Reboot

[Norman Elton <wnelto net wm edu>]

I've tested disconnecting our NFS server from the network. As expected, 
any processes accessing an NFS share "hang" until the connection is 
restored, and which point, they all spring back to life. This is good.

Does anyone know what happens if the NFS server process dies, or if the 
server is rebooted? I seem to remember last time I ran an "exportfs -r" 
to load new mountpoint, all the clients started complaining of "stale 
nfs handles", and had to be individually rebooted. This is not a good 
thing. How can I work with the NFS server without causing all the 
clients to go haywire?

An NFS server crash is obviously a bad thing, but I'd expect the 
clients to revive themselves once the server is back online.

Thanks,

Norman

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Norman Elton
Information Technology - Network Engineering
College of William & Mary
757-221-7790