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Overview

The Shared File Service (SFS) within the Cloud Management Portal offers a robust, fully managed solution for provisioning shared network storage using NFS (Network File System). This feature is designed to enable multiple virtual instances (VMs) under the same user account to access a centralized file system simultaneously.

SFS is ideal for applications and workloads that require persistent, shared access to files—such as content repositories, software build environments, analytics frameworks, and clustered computing workloads.

What is Shared File Service (SFS)?​

The Shared File Service in the Cloud Management Portal delivers a cloud-native alternative to traditional NAS appliances, allowing users to:

  • Create a shared file system directly from the portal UI.

  • Automatically provision storage using standard NFS protocols.

  • Mount the storage across multiple instances without manual setup.

  • Choose between XFS or EXT4 file systems for compatibility with various workloads.

Key Features​

1. NFS-Based Architecture​

SFS utilizes the Network File System (NFS) protocol to deliver shared access. It supports the widely adopted XFS and EXT4 file systems, making it compatible with most Linux-based workloads.

  • Multi-instance access: Attach the shared file system to multiple VMs.

  • File-level concurrency: Allow concurrent access and read/write operations.

2. Fully Automated Provisioning​

No need to manually deploy NAS devices or configure NFS services:

  • SFS is deployed and configured automatically via the Cloud Management Portal.

  • Users specify capacity and configuration during setup.

  • The system handles all underlying infrastructure tasks, such as volume mounting, export configuration, and network accessibility.

3. Intuitive UI Integration​

You can provision and manage SFS resources with just a few clicks from the Cloud Management Portal UI:

  • Launch shared storage under your selected network or instance group.

  • Choose storage size, file system type, and disk offering.

  • View storage status, metrics, and mount instructions within the portal.

4. Scalability​

SFS is designed to scale with your workload:

  • Increase storage size by updating your disk offering.

  • Add or remove instances that access the shared storage dynamically.

5. Backup and Snapshots​

To support data protection and disaster recovery, Shared File Service can be linked to Backup Offerings:

  • Schedule regular backups for your shared file system.

  • Capture snapshots for rollback or version control.

6. Mounting Instructions Provided​

For each provisioned SFS, the portal provides:

  • Mount point details (NFS endpoint).

  • File system format (XFS or EXT4).

  • Secure mounting options and command-line instructions to connect the instance to the SFS.

7. Real-Time Metrics & Monitoring​

Cloud Management Portal offers real-time visibility into your SFS environment:

  • CPU Usage: Track processing load of the shared storage host.

  • Memory Usage: Monitor RAM utilization related to the SFS instance.

  • Disk Utilization: Keep track of space consumption and IOPS activity.