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In contrast to a single-protocol environment, a multi-protocol system introduces new challenges and requires a planned approach to managing users and file permissions. One of the key facets of PowerScale scale-out NAS is the support of several protocols, leading to the elimination of silos and focusing on a single storage platform.
In a multi-protocol environment, UNIX and Windows users access the same file through the same directory structure, but through different protocols. The challenge is how identities are verified and what file permissions are used for authorization. Previously, each set of users only had a single authentication provider. A multi-protocol infrastructure might be composed of LDAP and Active Directory, connected to a single NAS. Additionally, the authentication provider might not be related to the client operating system. For example, a UNIX user could authenticate with Active Directory. Furthermore, users might have accounts in both Active Directory and LDAP, requiring mapping between those accounts and allowing OneFS to link the accounts.
Figure 4. Multi-protocol NAS environment
Although PowerScale OneFS supports many protocols, it may be configured as a single-protocol system. Access zones and directories may be limited to a single protocol, while other areas are defined as multi-protocol.