Gfarm

What Gfarm is

Gfarm is free, self-hosted software for storing and working with data across multiple sites. It includes data replication, allowing data to be maintained across the sites in a deployment. The software runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows systems. Operators can reach files through the Gfarm client interface or through several other access routes. FUSE access is available with gfarm2fs, while an HTTP(S) gateway provides web-protocol access. SMB access is available through Samba. These options let an installation support different file-access preferences while keeping deployment under the operator’s control. Gfarm’s multi-site support is central to environments that place data in more than one location, and replication is provided as a built-in capability. The software has a free plan and uses a self-hosted deployment model rather than a hosted service. A team evaluating Gfarm can therefore match its platform support and access methods to its own infrastructure, then select the client, FUSE, HTTP(S), or SMB route that fits its workflow. It supports replicated, multi-site data access.

Who it suits

Gfarm suits operators who need data handled across multiple sites with replication. It is also appropriate for teams that can run self-hosted software on Linux, macOS, or Windows and need client, FUSE, HTTP(S), or SMB access.

Limits

Gfarm is provided as a free plan. The deployment model requires the operator to host and run the software.

Getting started

1. Open the Gfarm website
2. Choose a Linux, macOS, or Windows environment
3. Deploy Gfarm on self-hosted infrastructure
4. Select the Gfarm client, gfarm2fs FUSE, HTTP(S) gateway, or SMB through Samba for file access

Verdict

Choose Gfarm when multi-site data handling, replication, and self-hosting are core requirements. Its broad access options support different environments. Look elsewhere if you need a hosted deployment instead of software run on your own infrastructure.