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Creating a Shared File Service (SFS)

The Shared File Service (SFS) is a fully managed NFS-based storage solution within the Cloud Management Portal that allows multiple virtual machines (VMs) under the same account and network to share a persistent storage volume.

This guide walks you through the step-by-step process of provisioning a new SFS instance through the user-friendly Cloud Management Portal interface.

Prerequisites​

Before you begin:

  • Ensure you have valid login credentials for the Cloud Management Portal.

  • Verify that your account has the necessary permissions and quota to create an SFS service.

  • Confirm the network zone in which the SFS service will be deployed.

Steps to Create an SFS Service​

1. Login to the Portal :​

  • Open your browser and navigate to the Cloud Management Portal.

  • Login using your user credentials.

2. Navigate to the SFS Service :​

  • From the main dashboard, go to the left-hand navigation panel.

  • Click on Add-ons.

  • Under Add-ons, select SFS Service.



First-time Access:
If there are no existing SFS services under your account, you will be redirected to the SFS Welcome Page. This page introduces the key features of SFS and provides a quick-start path.

3. Start Creating the SFS Service :​

  • On the welcome page, click the Create button to initiate the provisioning process.

  • You will be redirected to the SFS Creation Wizard.

4. Configure Deployment Settings :​

  • Select Instance Zone - Choose the zone in which your SFS service should be deployed. This zone should match the zone where your VMs are located to minimize latency and ensure compatibility.
  • Set Service Name - Provide a meaningful name for your SFS service. This name will be used for identification across the portal. Example: project-data-store or shared-logs-volume

5. Select Storage Configuration :​

  • Choose File System Type - You can select from the following file systems:

    • XFS – Ideal for high-performance applications and large files.

    • EXT4 – Widely supported and suitable for general-purpose workloads.

Choose the format based on your application compatibility and performance requirements.

  • Specify Storage Size - Enter the desired size of your shared file system in GB.

6. Create the SFS Service :​

  • Review your selected options:

    • Zone

    • Name

    • Storage Type (XFS/EXT4)

    • Storage Size

  • Once confirmed, click the Create button.

  • The provisioning process will begin. It typically takes a few minutes to complete, depending on system load and selected zone.

7. Monitor SFS Creation Status :​

  • After the creation process completes, You will be redirected back to the SFS Service List page.

  • Your newly created SFS instance will appear in the list with a status indicator (e.g., Running, Initializing, or Failed).