Large storage system

**a.hk** · November 12th, 2013

Hi!

I'm new to the forum but have been using ubuntu for some years now, my problem is that i'm a noob at large server systems. so my question is :

How can i set up a system, that makes 2 or more (multiple) physical servers look like one big storage server, with capability to expand. Lets say i have 2 servers with 4 TB storage each, what i want is to combine the 2 servers storage capacity so it look's like one HDD with 8 TB storage. And then i want a third server sharing that "virtual storage" as a CIFS share. And if at a later point I need more storage capacity i can just add another server. is this possible, and if so, how?

Thanks in advance!

( Sorry for bad english!! )

**nebileix** · November 12th, 2013

You are looking for distributed filesystem like glusterfs, andrewfs etc. Try looking in that direction.

**a.hk** · November 12th, 2013

Originally Posted by nebileix

You are looking for distributed filesystem like glusterfs, andrewfs etc. Try looking in that direction.

Thanks for quick reply!

I have already looked at GlusterFS, wasn't sure if it was what i was looking for, but i will give it a try and post later when i have tested it.

**nerdtron** · November 12th, 2013

Looks like a description of CEPH to me.
I have a cluster of 3 server for a total of 9TB storage. If I need more storage or need to add another server it is just a few commands and I have more.

**nebileix** · November 12th, 2013

Originally Posted by nerdtron

Looks like a description of CEPH to me.
I have a cluster of 3 server for a total of 9TB storage. If I need more storage or need to add another server it is just a few commands and I have more.

Yep, CEPH is nice and look promising.

Oh, and that remind me of lustre as well.