Setting up a file server cluster with Samba and CTDB

The Open Source Samba [1] system has provided file and print services for Windows and Unix-style computers since 1992. The Samba developers [2] always had difficulties emulating Windows server characteristics without the specifications, but thanks to Microsoft finally releasing the server protocol specifications late in 2007 [3], the task is now easier.

A recent add-on tool dubbed CTDB [4] now provides Samba with a feature that even Windows does not support: clustered file servers. Samba now offers the option of a distributed filesystem with multiple nodes that looks like a single, consistent, high-performance file server. And this cluster-based file server system is (more or less) infinitely scalable with respect to the number of nodes. (Windows 2003 does have some support for clustering, but it is designed with web and database servers in mind and restricted to eight nodes.)

In this article, I describe some of the the problems Samba solves with clustering, and I take a look at the history and design of the CTDB add-on at the center of Samba's clustering support. In addition, you'll get some hints on how to configure CTDB and set up your own Samba cluster.

[...]

Use Express-Checkout link below to read the full article (PDF).

Buy Linux Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
Print Issues
Digital Issues
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Print Subs
Digisubs
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • Clustered Samba

    Fail-safe is a massive topic for file server admins. Thanks to the CTDB and Ceph, you can put Samba in a cluster with minimal complications.

    more »
  • Samba's Registry

    Samba's new registry-based configuration system conserves resources and lets the administrator configure entire clusters with a single command.

    more »
  • Samba 4

    Samba 4 has been around for more than three years, but some users still shy from it. If you are still sitting on the fence, this tour through some of the new features and capabilities might help you decide whether it is finally time to upgrade.

    more »
  • Samba 3.2 With IPv6, Clustering and GPLv3

    The free Samba project has just released version 3.2 of the file and printer server for Microsoft Windows clients. The team will be moving to the GPL v3 license as of this version.

    more »
comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters

Support Our Work

Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More

News

Tag Cloud

Administration Community Events Hardware Linux Linux Pro Magazine Mobile Programming Security Software Ubuntu Web Development Windows free software open source