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About the storage system
The distributed storage system unifies dispersed commercial servers into a cluster to provide unified
storage services on one platform to users. By virtualizing local drives into uniform storage pools, the
distributed storage system ensures that users can obtain mass storage services without having to
concern about the storage hardware in use.
System architecture
A typical distributed storage cluster contains the following networks:
•
Management network
—Provides connectivity for administrators to access the management
node for cluster management.
•
Service network
—Provides connectivity for application servers to access the storage
resources and services on the cluster.
•
Storage front-end network
—Contains data links in the cluster over which the storage servers
distribute I/O requests to storage nodes (also called OSD nodes).
•
Storage back-end network
—Contains links between nodes in the cluster for OSD heartbeat
monitoring and data balancing.
Nodes in a distributed storage cluster can be divided into the following types:
•
Management node
—A host installed with the distributed storage system to deploy and
manage storage resources in the cluster.
•
Monitor node
—A host on which the monitor process runs to monitor the cluster and maintain
and distribute various information vital to cluster operations.
•
Storage node
—A host that provides storage resources in the cluster.
NOTE:
Unless otherwise stated, a host in this guide refers to a physical server or a VM.
All nodes in the cluster must be able to reach each other on the management, service, and storage
networks.
