title: Where does Name node store fsImage and edit Log?
body: <p>I am a java programmer, learning Hadoop.
  I read that the Name node in HDFS stores its information into two files namely fsImage &amp; editLog. In case of start up it reads this data from the disk &amp; performs checkpoint operation.</p>
  
  <p>But at many places I also read that Name Node stores the data in RAM &amp; that is why apache recommends a machine with high RAM for Name Node server.</p>
  
  <p>Please enlighten me on this.
  What data does it store in RAM &amp; where does it store fsImage and edit Log ?</p>
  
  <p>Sorry if I asked anything obvious.</p>