One of the most important components of a Linux system is the root file system. A well-developed root file system can provide you with useful tools to work on PetaLinux projects. Because a root file system can become big in size, it is hard to store it in flash memory.
The most convenient thing is to mount the entire root file system from the network allowing the host system and the target to share the same files. The root file system can be modified quickly and also on the fly (meaning that the file system can be modified while the system is running). The most common way to setup a system like the one described is through NFS.
In case of NFS, no manual refresh is needed for new files.