Durable File Handles is a feature of the SMB 2.x and 3.x protocols that allows a client to transparently reconnect to a file share if the connection is temporarily lost. This is crucial during transient network issues or a file server failover event. When enabled, the file server preserves the state of the open file handle, allowing the client session to be re-established without interrupting the user or application. This directly addresses the user complaint of having to manually reconnect after network disruptions.

B. Multi-Protocol Shares: This feature allows both SMB (Windows) and NFS (Linux/Unix) clients to access the same data on a share, but it does not manage session resilience or auto-reconnection.

C. Connected Shares: This is a general term describing the state of an active share connection, not a specific, configurable Nutanix Files feature that ensures session persistence through network failures.

D. Workload Optimization: This refers to tuning the file server's performance characteristics for specific use cases (e.g., VDI, general purpose), not for managing client session stability or reconnection logic.

1. Nutanix University

Nutanix Unified Storage Administration (NUSA) v6.0

Module 4: Nutanix Files High Availability. The courseware explains that SMB Transparent Failover

which prevents I/O disruption

relies on features like persistent and durable handles. It states

"SMB 2.1 introduced durable handles

which allow connections to be reestablished after a temporary disconnection." This directly supports the function described in the question.

2. Nutanix Files v6.0 Documentation

High Availability for Nutanix Files. This section details the mechanisms for maintaining service continuity. It describes how

during a failover

"For SMB 3.0 shares with the continuously available property

clients transparently reconnect to another FSVM... without any disruption." This continuous availability is built upon the concept of persistent and durable handles

which preserve the session state.

3. Nutanix Files v6.0 Solution Guide

SMB Features. The guide discusses the capabilities of the SMB protocol supported by Nutanix Files. It implicitly covers features that ensure connection resilience

such as SMB 3.0 Transparent Failover

of which durable handles are a foundational component for handling temporary network interruptions.