Interim File System

The Interim File System (usually referred to by the acronym, IFS) was an early data networking server providing a number of services, principally remote secondary storage access, using the PUP protocol suite.

Although remote file access was the principal service provided, an IFS server provided several other services over the network, including email, directory, time, and a number of others.

Developed by Xerox PARC, it ran on a Xerox Alto, using T-80 or T-300 Trident disk drives to hold data.

It was designed in November-December 1976, began testing operation in January, 1977, went into what was effectively 'beta' release in June, 1977, and had its first full release in August, 1977. It was called 'Interim' because "improved facilities are under development", but those never appeared, and IFS soldiered on within the Xerox corporate internetwork. Major IFS servers within that internet were:

Name(s)	Organization
Ivy	PARC (Palo Alto)
Iris	SOD (Palo Alto)
Isis, Sun	SOD (El Segundo)
Ibis	ASD (Palo Alto)
Oly	ASD (El Segundo)
XEOS	EOS (Pasadena)
ADL	ADL (El Segundo)
Erie	WRC(Webster)
Eagle	Corporate headquarters (Stamford)

IFS servers, pre-loaded with software, documentation, etc were also provided to the universities which received a grant of a package of PARC-developed technology in 1978.

External links

• IFS papers - includes (some in multiple versions):
  • 'Interim File System Overview'
  • 'How to Use IFS'
  • 'IFS Operation'
  • 'IFS Software Maintenance'
  • 'IFS File Structure'
  • 'IFS Directory Operations'
  • 'IFS Deugging and Tuning Aids'
  • 'IFS Scavenger'
  • 'IFS Scavenger Operation'
  • 'Interim IFS Mail Forwarding'
  • 'Introducing new access control policies'
  • 'Access controls'
• IFS Status and Plans