GlusterFS is a scalable, distributed file system suitable for various types of storage needs. It can be installed on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, and Fedora using the default dnf or yum repositories. While these repositories provide stable versions, they may not always contain the latest releases. To access the most up-to-date packages, it is recommended to use the CentOS Storage SIG repository.
Before installing GlusterFS, it’s crucial to ensure the appropriate version of the repository is available for your system. The CentOS Storage SIG repository provides several GlusterFS versions, which include important libraries and tools required for optimal performance. Adding this repository ensures you can install newer releases and their corresponding dependencies without manual configuration.
Once installed, GlusterFS requires some additional configuration to enable communication between nodes. You need to configure the system firewall to allow traffic on GlusterFS ports. Additionally, enabling and starting the glusterd service ensures that the distributed file system is operational and ready for cluster configuration.
Steps to install GlusterFS on RHEL, CentOS, or Fedora:
- Launch terminal.
- Check for available GlusterFS repositories.
$ sudo dnf search gluster [sudo] password for user: Last metadata expiration check: 23:20:40 ago on Fri 07 May 2021 08:01:41 AM +08. =========================== Name & Summary Matched: gluster =========================== centos-release-gluster6.noarch : Gluster 6 packages from the CentOS Storage SIG : repository centos-release-gluster7.noarch : Gluster 7 packages from the CentOS Storage SIG : repository centos-release-gluster8.noarch : Gluster 8 packages from the CentOS Storage SIG : repository glusterfs-api.x86_64 : GlusterFS api library glusterfs-cli.x86_64 : GlusterFS CLI glusterfs-client-xlators.x86_64 : GlusterFS client-side translators glusterfs-libs.x86_64 : GlusterFS common libraries glusterfs-rdma.x86_64 : GlusterFS rdma support for ib-verbs libvirt-daemon-driver-storage-gluster.x86_64 : Storage driver plugin for gluster pcp-pmda-gluster.x86_64 : Performance Co-Pilot (PCP) metrics for the Gluster filesystem qemu-kvm-block-gluster.x86_64 : QEMU Gluster block driver ================================ Name Matched: gluster ================================ glusterfs.x86_64 : Distributed File System glusterfs-fuse.x86_64 : Fuse client - Add latest GlusterFS repository.
$ sudo dnf install --assumeyes centos-release-gluster Last metadata expiration check: 23:22:15 ago on Fri 07 May 2021 08:01:41 AM +08. Dependencies resolved. ======================================================================================= Package Architecture Version Repository Size ======================================================================================= Installing: centos-release-gluster8 noarch 1.0-1.el8 extras 9.3 k Installing dependencies: centos-release-storage-common noarch 2-2.el8 extras 9.4 k Transaction Summary ======================================================================================= Install 2 Packages Total download size: 19 k Installed size: 2.4 k ##### snipped
This will install the CentOS Storage Special Interest Group (SIG) yum repository which provides the latest GlusterFS software packages.
- Install glusterfs server and related packages.
$ sudo dnf install --assumeyes glusterfs glusterfs-server CentOS-8 - Gluster 8 92 kB/s | 50 kB 00:00 Package glusterfs-6.0-49.1.el8.x86_64 is already installed. Dependencies resolved. ======================================================================================= Package Arch Version Repository Size ======================================================================================= Installing: glusterfs-server x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 1.4 M Upgrading: glusterfs x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 689 k glusterfs-cli x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 214 k glusterfs-client-xlators x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 899 k Installing dependencies: glusterfs-fuse x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 171 k libgfapi0 x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 125 k replacing glusterfs-api.x86_64 6.0-49.1.el8 libgfchangelog0 x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 67 k replacing glusterfs-libs.x86_64 6.0-49.1.el8 libgfrpc0 x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 89 k replacing glusterfs-libs.x86_64 6.0-49.1.el8 libgfxdr0 x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 61 k replacing glusterfs-libs.x86_64 6.0-49.1.el8 libglusterd0 x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 45 k replacing glusterfs-libs.x86_64 6.0-49.1.el8 libglusterfs0 x86_64 8.4-1.el8 centos-gluster8 350 k replacing glusterfs-libs.x86_64 6.0-49.1.el8 python3-pyxattr x86_64 0.5.3-18.el8 centos-gluster8 35 k Transaction Summary ======================================================================================= Install 9 Packages Upgrade 3 Packages Total download size: 4.1 M ##### snipped - Allow network access for GlusterFS service.
$ sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-service=glusterfs --permanent success
This will enable access to 5667/tcp and is similar to running the following command:
$ sudo firewall-cmd --zone=public --add-port=5667/tcp --permanent
- Reload firewall to activate changes.
$ sudo firewall-cmd --reload success
- Enable automatic startup of glusterd service.
$ sudo systemctl enable glusterd
- Start the glusterd service.
$ sudo systemctl start glusterd
- Start creating GlusterFS cluster.
Mohd Shakir Zakaria is a cloud architect with deep roots in software development and open-source advocacy. Certified in AWS, Red Hat, VMware, ITIL, and Linux, he specializes in designing and managing robust cloud and on-premises infrastructures.
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