What Is It?
Network File Storage (NFS) provides shared file storage accessible by multiple VMs using the NFSv4.2 protocol. POSIX-compliant file system with SSD-Standard performance, encryption at rest, and fine-grained access controls. Ideal for shared application data, home directories, and web content.
Quick Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Protocol | NFSv4.2 |
| Performance Class | SSD-Standard (active-active redundancy, RAID) |
| Throughput | Up to 300 MB/s per 4 TiB |
| IOPS | 24,000 read IOPS, 18,000 write IOPS (4 KB block) |
| File System | POSIX-compliant |
| Encryption | At rest (default on SSD-based storage servers) |
| Security | Root-squash (maps client root to anonymous UID, prevents root privileges from clients) |
| Access Control | Per-IP network or host, configurable squash modes per client group |
What You Can Do
Create NFS Clusters
Set up managed NFS clusters with SSD-Standard storage. Fully managed service handles provisioning, redundancy, and maintenance. Clusters support multiple shares with independent access controls.
Configure Shares
Create NFSv4.2 shares with specific size allocations and access rules. Define which IP networks or hosts can mount each share. Configure squash modes per client group to control user identity mapping.
Mount from Multiple VMs
Multiple Linux VMs can mount the same share simultaneously. Standard NFS mount commands work with NFSv4.2 protocol. Shares accessible across VMs in same data center.
Apply Root-Squash Security
Built-in root-squash maps client root user to anonymous UID, preventing super-user privileges on NFS server. Reduces risk from compromised client machines. Configurable per client group.
Scale Performance
Linear scaling of IOPS and throughput with capacity. Live data movement without interruption. Performance metrics available at file level for monitoring and optimization.
Manage Access
Fine-grained client group access controls. Limit shares to specific IP networks or hosts. Optional squash modes per client group for precise user identity control.
Best For
| Scenario | Why It Fits |
|---|---|
| Shared application data | Multiple VMs need concurrent read/write access, POSIX semantics, high IOPS |
| Home directories | Centralized user storage across multiple servers, standard Linux permissions |
| Web content serving | Shared media files across web server pool, NFSv4.2 efficiency, 300 MB/s throughput |
| Shared configuration and static assets | Multiple VMs share config files, templates, and static assets over POSIX, no per-instance duplication |
Key Considerations
Billing & Costs
- Main billing: Per TB per month
- Performance tier: SSD-Standard (higher cost than HDD, lower than SSD Premium)
- Managed service: Redundancy, protocol support, maintenance or encryption, are included in the service.
Limitations
- NFSv4.2 protocol only (no NFSv3 or SMB/CIFS)
- Linux VMs only (POSIX-compliant file system)
- Performance scales with capacity (max 300 MB/s per 4 TiB, 24,000/18,000 IOPS)
- Access control by IP network or host only (no user-level authentication)
- Same data center access only (no cross-region mounting)
- Cluster size cannot be reduced after provisioning (must be created with intended size).
- Root-squash security recommended (can be disabled by selecting 'No squash mode', though not recommended for security reasons)
- Only accesible in private LANs, not form the Internet
Management Options
- Data Center Designer (DCD)
- NFS Cluster Manager (create, update, view clusters)
- Share Manager (create, update, delete shares)
- Cloud API and SDKs
- Standard NFS mount commands on Linux VMs