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PetaSAN
What it is
PetaSAN is a free, open-source software-defined storage platform for Linux, self-hosted deployment, and web management. Licensed under AGPL 3, it uses Ceph as its storage engine and Consul as its service-mesh platform. Storage services are available through iSCSI, CIFS/SMB, NFS, and S3 protocols. Capacity can grow by adding nodes without disrupting service, while PetaSAN describes its architecture as multi-node active/active and highly available. Graphical interfaces are intended to help non-Linux administrators install and operate the system. Listed use cases include VMware vSphere, Hyper-V, scale-out file systems, big-data analytics, database servers, and large-capacity backups. The platform includes storage pools, user management, and snapshots. Version 4.1.0 is listed with a February 18, 2026 date, kernel 6.12, and UI-performance notes. Professional support and engineering consultation are also available.
For and against
For
- Free open-source self-support plan
- Supports iSCSI, SMB, NFS, and S3
- Adds nodes without service disruption
- Includes storage pools and snapshots
- Graphical interfaces aid non-Linux administrators
Against
- Requires self-hosted Linux deployment
- Professional support is a separate offering
The verdict
PetaSAN combines multi-node storage with broad protocol support and web administration. Its free self-support model suits teams comfortable operating open-source infrastructure.
Who it suits
PetaSAN suits organizations needing self-hosted Linux storage across several protocols. It also fits teams supporting virtualization, databases, analytics, or large backups.
Plans and prices
PetaSAN (self-support)
Open-source storage platform · self-support model
Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.com
On the record
- Authentication
- The maker's Windows MPIO guide describes securing an iSCSI disk with username and password using CHAP authentication.petasan.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Availability
- PetaSAN describes its storage as multi-node active/active and highly available.petasan.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Consultation
- The maker offers engineering consultation for storage infrastructure design, network architecture, and hardware selection.petasan.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Management
- The product includes graphical interfaces intended to let non-Linux administrators install and operate it.petasan.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- It provides storage services using iSCSI, CIFS/SMB, NFS, and S3 protocols.petasan.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Release
- The downloads page lists version 4.1.0, dated February 18, 2026, with kernel 6.12 and UI performance in its description.petasan.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Scale-out
- Storage capacity can be expanded by adding nodes without disrupting service.petasan.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Security
- Release 3.3.0 added OSD encryption using Linux dm-crypt and a deployment wizard using HTTPS.petasan.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Storage engine
- PetaSAN uses the Ceph storage engine and Consul service mesh platform.petasan.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker says PetaSAN can be used free through self-support and offers professional support plans from its team.petasan.com · read 7 Oct 2026
- Use cases
- The maker lists VMware vSphere, Hyper-V, scale-out file systems, big data analytics, database servers, and large-capacity backups as use cases.petasan.org · read 7 Oct 2026
- What it does
- PetaSAN is an open-source scale-out software-defined storage solution licensed under AGPL 3.petasan.org · read 7 Oct 2026
