Openfiler
Openfiler is an operating system that provides file-based network-attached storage and block-based storage area network. It was created by Xinit Systems, and is based on the CentOS Linux distribution. It is free software licensed under the GNU GPLv2
| A version of the CentOS operating system | |
 Screenshot of Openfiler installer | |
| Developer | Openfiler Ltd. |
|---|---|
| OS family | Unix-like |
| Working state | Inactive |
| Source model | Open-source |
| Initial release | 2001 |
| Latest release | 2.99.1 / April 13, 2011 |
| Repository | github |
| Platforms | IA-32, x86-64 |
| License | GNU GPLv2 |
| Official website | www |
History
The Openfiler codebase was started at Xinit Systems in 2001. The company created a project and donated the codebase to it in October 2003.
The first public release of Openfiler was made in May 2004. The latest release was published in 2011.
Although there has been no formal announcement, there is no evidence that Openfiler is being actively developed since 2015. DistroWatch has listed Openfiler as discontinued.[1] The official website states that paid support is still available.
Criticism
Though some users have run Openfiler for years with few problems, in a 2013 article on SpiceWorks website, the author recommended against using Openfiler, citing lack of features, lack of support and risk of data loss.[2]
See also
- Celerra, a commercial proprietary NAS solution - development discontinued in early 2012
- NetApp filer, a commercial proprietary filer
- FreeNAS, a FreeBSD based free and open-source NAS solution
- OpenMediaVault — an out-of-the-box Linux NAS solution developed by a former FreeNAS developer, based upon Debian Linux (previous name: CoreNAS)
- Gluster
- NAS4Free — a reliable network-attached storage (NAS) server software.
- NexentaStor - Advanced enterprise-level NAS software solution (Debian/OpenSolaris-based)
References
- "DistroWatch.com: Openfiler". DistroWatch.com. Atea Ataroa Limited. 11 April 2019. Archived from the original on 6 August 2019. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
- Miller, Scott Alan (22 August 2013). "Why We Recommend Against OpenFiler". spiceworks.com. Spiceworks Inc. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
After a few years of recommending against the use of OF for storage projects, I'm surprised to find that it still comes up in nearly daily conversations as a tool being considered for storage. The reasons that we recommend avoiding OpenFiler are pretty concrete issues that should rule out any product for use in storage. Even in a lab, OF does not make sense.
Further reading
- Buford, Cory (10 September 2008). "Turn Your Machine Into Enterprise Storage With Openfiler". linux.com. The Linux Foundation. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
- Childers, Bill (1 May 2009). "OpenFiler: an Open-Source Network Storage Appliance". linuxjournal.com. Linux Journal, LLC. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
The OpenFiler distribution is an easy-to-install, easy-to-use, nearly turnkey solution.
- Conner, Deni (23 February 2007). "10 free storage utilities. Some software is truly offered without strings". computerworld.com. IDG Communications, Inc. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
There's nothing like free software to save some drain on your storage management or data protection budget -- if that free software works, of course. Here are 10 storage utilities you can download and start using to manage your storage-area network (SAN), deploy network-attached storage (NAS), or monitor and assess the privacy of your network.
- Dunn, Darrel (18 October 2007). "Low-Cost Storage Tools: Open-Source Projects Provide Increasing Choices". processor.com. Sandhills Publishing Company. Archived from the original on 30 October 2007. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
- Grehen, Rick (24 February 2009). "More specialty Linuxes to the rescue". computerworld.com. IDG Communications, Inc. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
- Meller, Chris (4 November 2003). "Open Source NAS with SAN possibly coming". techworld.com. IDG UK. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
NAS and SAN software has been proprietary, up until now. It meets storage standard interfaces of course, but the code itself is private. A UK Linux house is proposing to change this.
External links
- Official website
- "sourceforge.net: Openfiler". sourceforge.net. Slashdot Media. Retrieved 21 September 2019.