Setting up a file server cluster with Samba and CTDB
Close Ranks
© Alison Bowden, 123RF
Samba Version 3.3 and the CTDB lock manager provide full cluster support.
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.
[...]
Buy Linux Magazine
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.
News
-
Working Exploit for a Linux Kernel Flaw Made Public
Even before a bug received its CVE identifier or an upstream fix, the local privilege escalation vulnerability exploit found its way into the wild.
-
r/opensource Bans AI-Assisted and AI-Related Projects
The de facto subreddit for all things open source has not only banned AI-related projects but also users who "don't speak English."
-
Bottlenecks Discovered by Meta Engineers Lead to Scalability Improvements
Thanks to a small group of engineers at Meta, the Linux kernel module kernfs has been improved, which has led to some serious gains.
-
PwnEscape Poses VM Vulnerability
A guest-to-host escape flaw in Linux KVM, named PwnEscape, might be yet another means of attacking Linux.
-
Linux Mint 27 Set for a Christmas Release
The developers behind Linux Mint have announced a Christmas release, and it looks like Santa's sack will be brimming with features.
-
Is Linus Torvalds Vibe Coding?
The creator of Linux has added AI into his process for Linux kernel development, and it's more than just for debugging.
-
openKylin 3.0 Released with Expanded AI Integration
The latest release features a pre-installed AI agent to help perform tasks.
-
DigitalOcean Ends Open Source Credits Program
In a change that has surprised many open source developers, DigitalOcean has decided to sunset its Open Source Credits Program.
-
Office 365 Available for Testing on Linux via Bottles
Linux users can now test the official Office 365, thanks to Mirko Brombin's work on Bottles.
-
Dutch Government Turns to Open Source for Digital Sovereignty
Following in the footsteps of other European countries, the Netherlands is looking to increase its sovereign digital infrastructure with open source software.