The OpenAFS Client implements Universally Unique Identifiers (UUIDs). They are used to provide the AFS file server with a method of identifying the client that is independent of IP address. This permits the AFS file server to track mobile clients or those behind Network Address Translators when they move from address to address or port to port. Tracking the client improves client performance by permitting callback state to be maintained across location changes. The UUID is generated when the AFSCache file is created and is maintained as long as the contents of the AFSCache file are valid. The UUID is stored in the AFSCache file.

When cloning machines that have Windows AFS client installed it is necessary to generate a new UUID for each client. This will be done automatically if the Windows Machine SID is re-generated using Microsoft SysPrep. If the SID is not being re-generated either the AFSCache file should be deleted or the command fs uuid -generate must be executed after the the clone is created. Multiple AFS clients reporting the same UUID will not only result in horrible AFS client performance and cache inconsistencies, but they will also put a tremendous strain on the AFS file servers.

For lab environments that wish to erase all cached data on each restart, the NonPersistentCaching option will disable the use of the persistent cache file. As a side effect, a new UUID will be generated for the AFS client service on each restart.

[SMB only] When a Windows system is cloned, the Microsoft Loopback Adapter will be disabled in the cloned system. Administrators must re-install the Microsoft Loopback Adapter within the cloned environment. This can be automated by using the OpenAFS " instloop.exe – i" command. Instloop.exe can be extracted from the MSI installer by performing an administrative install via msiexec.exe /a.