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XtreemFS
What it is
XtreemFS is a free, open-source distributed file system for general-purpose storage, available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployments. It replicates files across storage servers and can automatically switch to a backup replica if the primary fails. Full or partial read-only replicas support immutable files and can be used to build caches across datacenters. The project says an installation can scale to thousands of storage and metadata servers by adding or removing storage servers. XtreemFS offers POSIX compatibility and can act as a drop-in replacement for NFS. Its built-in SSL and X.509 certificate support are described as allowing it to run over the internet without a VPN. A Hadoop client is available for using it as an HDFS replacement. Listed uses include filer replacement, HPC and Hadoop clusters, VM block storage, and sharing data across branches. The FAQ says a single volume may hold up to tens of millions of files, while reporting no known limits for the number of volumes and services. Questions can go to the public mailing list, and bugs can be reported through the GitHub bug tracker.
For and against
For
- Automatically fails over to a backup replica.
- Supports POSIX compatibility and NFS replacement.
- Includes SSL and X.509 certificate support.
- Free under an open-source BSD license.
Against
- A single volume may contain up to tens of millions of files.
- Support questions go through a public mailing list.
- Bug reports go through the GitHub bug tracker.
The verdict
XtreemFS is a no-cost distributed storage option with replication, failover, and POSIX compatibility. Its deployment and support model may suit teams comfortable working with an open-source project.
Who it suits
XtreemFS may suit organizations or technical teams needing distributed storage across servers or sites, including HPC, Hadoop, VM storage, or branch-sharing use cases. It is developed as an open-source project by Zuse Institute Berlin.
Plans and prices
XtreemFS
Open-source BSD license · free of charge
Read 30 Sep 2026 · xtreemfs.org
On the record
- Compatibility
- XtreemFS offers POSIX compatibility and can be used as a drop-in replacement for NFS.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Deployment
- The project provides Linux distribution packages and precompiled client packages for Windows and Mac OS X.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Developer
- The site says XtreemFS is developed as an open-source project by Zuse Institute Berlin.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Hadoop
- A Hadoop client is available for using XtreemFS as an HDFS replacement.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Limit
- The FAQ says a single volume may contain up to tens of millions of files; it reports no known limits for the number of volumes and services.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- XtreemFS is a fault-tolerant distributed file system for general-purpose storage.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Read-only replicas
- It supports full and partial read-only replicas for immutable files, which can be used to build a cache across datacenters.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Replication
- It replicates files across storage servers and can automatically fail over to a backup replica if the primary fails.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Scalability
- The site says an installation can scale to thousands of storage and metadata servers by adding or removing storage servers.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- It has built-in SSL and X.509 certificate support, and the site says it can run over the internet without a VPN.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Users can ask questions on the public mailing list and report bugs through the GitHub bug tracker.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Use cases
- The site lists filer replacement, HPC and Hadoop clusters, VM block storage, and cross-branch data sharing as use cases.xtreemfs.org · read 30 Sep 2026
