CIFS Scale-out Cluster
Synology CIFS Scale-out Cluster allows you to create a clustered storage unit by aggregating the storage and computational resources of multiple Synology NAS servers. A CIFS Scale-out Cluster implements scaling-on-demand architecture, allowing storage capacity to be expanded linearly when adding more servers to the cluster.
In a cluster configuration, Synology NAS servers can be designated to assume the following roles -- Storage Server or Computing Server. Storage servers contribute hard drives to the cluster storage space. Computing servers handle and distribute file access requests, thus increasing the data throughput of the cluster. The same server can be designated as a computing server and storage server at the same time.
Term Explanation
- Cluster Volume: A cluster volume is an aggregated data storage pool consisting of 1 to 12 Synology NAS servers. Each server contributes specified hard drives, which are configured in a RAID 1/5/6 layout and constitute the storage units of the cluster volume. Only unused hard drives can be used to create a cluster volume.
- Storage Unit: A storage unit is composed of hard drives configured in RAID/1/5/6 on a storage server. Storage units constitute a cluster volume.
- Cluster Share: A cluster share is a shared folder that is created on a cluster volume in order to organize and share data. A cluster share can be accessed by users via CIFS protocol.
- Storage Server: A storage server is a Synology NAS server that contributes specified hard drives to be a part of the storage space of a cluster volume.
- Computing Server: A computing server is a Synology NAS server that provides computation power to handle and distribute file access requests to multiple storage servers. It also provides CIFS service, allowing users or applications to connect and access data. You can designate 1 to 12 servers to act as computing servers. The IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) of the cluster increases linearly according to the number of designated computing servers.