LINSTOR

What LINSTOR is

LINSTOR is open-source software-defined storage management software for Linux clusters. It manages storage resources replicated with DRBD, supporting applications that need persistent block storage, including Kubernetes and other container platforms. A controller manages cluster configuration and storage resources, while satellite components manage resources on individual nodes. LINSTOR can run on bare-metal clusters, in cloud or hybrid cloud environments, and in virtualized or containerized environments. Administrators can manage storage through command-line and graphical clients or the REST API. Listed integrations include Kubernetes, CloudStack, Docker, OLVM, OpenNebula, and Proxmox VE; OpenShift compatibility is provided through a Kubernetes CSI driver. Storage capabilities include snapshots and clones, thin provisioning, and use of HDD, SSD, NVMe, or persistent memory. Supported volume types are LVM, thin-provisioned LVM, and ZFS. DRBD supports synchronous, asynchronous, and semi-synchronous replication, with up to 32 replicated persistent volumes. LINBIT SDS can transfer encrypted snapshots asynchronously to remote locations and ship backups to S3 and other targets. It also supports variable-rate, fixed-rate, and checksum-based synchronization. LINBIT says DRBD supports high availability and describes automatic recovery from hardware failures such as failed drives, network interfaces, and switches. LINBIT is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and says it was incorporated in 2001. LINSTOR has a free plan; LINBIT Starter costs $1,000 a year, starting at $1,000 for two nodes per year.

Who it suits

LINSTOR suits administrators managing DRBD-replicated storage across Linux server clusters. It is presented for persistent block storage used by applications, including Kubernetes and other container platforms, across bare-metal, cloud, virtualized, or containerized environments.

Limits

LINBIT HA Basic lists device sizes up to 8TB; Plus lists up to 32TB, while Enterprise is unlimited. LINBIT Starter starts at $1,000 for two nodes per year.

Getting started

1. Visit the LINSTOR website.
2. Choose the free plan or LINBIT Starter at $1,000 a year for two nodes.
3. Set up a Linux cluster in a supported bare-metal, cloud, virtualized, or containerized environment.
4. Use the controller and satellite components to manage cluster resources.
5. Manage storage with a CLI or GUI client, or the REST API.

Verdict

Choose LINSTOR if you need to manage DRBD-replicated persistent storage in Linux clusters and want deployment options across bare-metal, cloud, virtualized, or containerized environments. Its free plan and open-source software may suit teams starting with cluster storage management. Check the support tier's device-size limit if you need LINBIT HA support, and note that multi-attach is unavailable.