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OrangeFS
What it is
OrangeFS is a free, self-hosted parallel storage system for large workloads in high-performance computing, Big Data, streaming video, genomics, and bioinformatics. Its user-level servers and clients provide parallel access to disk storage held across multiple servers. Configurable file striping and distributed file and directory metadata support that design. Linux integration is available through the upstream kernel module, and the Linux kernel client has been part of the mainline kernel since version 4.6. Other options include a native Windows client, FUSE modules for Linux and Mac, and interfaces for Linux applications, Java JNI, Hadoop HCFS, and WebDAV. OrangeFS also provides optimized MPI-IO for parallel and distributed applications. Listed access protocols include S3. Security features include capability-based security and default, key-based, and certificate-based modes; LDAP identity mapping can associate a certificate subject with a user ID and primary group ID. CloudyCluster offers configurable deployments through Google Cloud and AWS marketplaces. Community support is available through a mailing list, with commercial and research support also offered. The open-source release costs nothing; support and services pricing is available by quote.
For and against
For
- Free open-source release.
- Parallel access across multiple servers.
- Optimized MPI-IO support.
- Includes Linux, Windows, FUSE, and WebDAV access.
- Configurable cloud deployments through Google Cloud and AWS.
Against
- Default security mode is intended for cases where multi-user security is not a priority.
- Commercial and research support pricing is by quote.
- Linux integration documentation recommends the upstream kernel module.
The verdict
OrangeFS offers a broad set of interfaces and distributed storage features for large workloads. Its default security mode is described for use cases where multi-user security is not a priority, so deployment choices matter.
Who it suits
OrangeFS suits organizations managing large, parallel storage workloads, including HPC, Big Data, video, genomics, or bioinformatics projects. It may also fit teams that need Linux, Windows, or application-level access options and can manage a self-hosted deployment.
Plans and prices
OrangeFS open source
Open-source software · downloadable release
Read 8 Oct 2026 · orangefs.org
OrangeFS support and services
Commercial and research support · targeted development · contact for quote
Read 8 Oct 2026 · orangefs.com
On the record
- Architecture
- Its user-level server and client provide parallel access to multi-server disk storage.orangefs.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Cloud deployment
- CloudyCluster offers OrangeFS deployments through Google Cloud and AWS marketplaces, configurable by instance count and type, volumes per instance, and filesystem size.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Commercial support scope
- The commercial production subscription page says it includes unlimited servers and clients, fast escalation for bug fixes, and support at various levels.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- Listed interfaces include a direct interface for Linux applications, Java JNI, an HCFS Hadoop interface, and WebDAV.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- LDAP
- OrangeFS can use LDAP identity mapping to map a client certificate subject to a user ID and primary group ID.docs.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- License
- OrangeFS is released under the LGPL License, with some recent portions also available under LGPL and Apache 2.orangefs.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Linux support
- The Linux kernel client has been in the mainline kernel since version 4.6, and the documentation recommends the upstream kernel module for Linux integration.docs.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- MPI-IO
- OrangeFS has optimized MPI-IO support for parallel and distributed applications.orangefs.org · read 8 Oct 2026
- Notable setup detail
- The documentation says default security mode is intended for cases where multi-user security is not a priority and is selected for performance and faster installation.docs.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Other clients
- The maker lists a native Windows parallel client and FUSE modules for Mac and Linux.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- OrangeFS is a scale-out parallel storage system aimed at large storage workloads in HPC, Big Data, streaming video, genomics, and bioinformatics.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Security
- The product lists capability-based security and its documentation describes default, key-based, and certificate-based security modes.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Striping and metadata
- Features include configurable file striping, distributed metadata, and distributed directory metadata.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- Community support is available through the mailing list, and the maker offers commercial and research support.orangefs.com · read 8 Oct 2026
