> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs-v2.ard.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why is GlusterFS used?

> Understanding why ModMS uses GlusterFS for distributed storage

GlusterFS provides multiple benefits for ModMS:

<Columns>
  <Column>
    **Consistent State**

    Maintains a consistent state (to a good degree) between different servers
  </Column>

  <Column>
    **File Replication**

    Simple way to copy files between servers
  </Column>

  <Column>
    **Fault Tolerance**

    Replication capability to handle node failures
  </Column>

  <Column>
    **Scalability**

    Easy to add new storage nodes as data grows
  </Column>
</Columns>

## GlusterFS Architecture

ModMS uses a replicated GlusterFS volume with:

* **Multiple brick nodes** for data storage
* **Arbiter node** for split-brain prevention
* **Self-healing daemon** for automatic recovery
* **TCP transport** for network communication

## Technical Details

The GlusterFS architecture in ModMS is designed for:

* High availability with automatic failover
* Data consistency across multiple servers
* Easy expansion as storage needs grow
* Protection against split-brain scenarios

## Benefits for ModMS

**Data Consistency:**
GlusterFS maintains a consistent view of the filesystem across all ModMS servers, ensuring that the Aggregator, Indexer, and Server components all see the same data.

**High Availability:**
With replication, if one storage node fails, the system continues operating using the replicated data on other nodes.

**Scalability:**
As ModMS data grows, new storage nodes can be added to the GlusterFS cluster without downtime.

**Simplified File Management:**
The distributed filesystem provides a unified view of storage, making it easier to manage files across multiple servers.

## Related Topics

* [Mountpoint `/data` not working](/data-ai/modms/faq/mountpoint-not-working)
* [GlusterFS Commands](/data-ai/modms/faq/glusterfs-commands)
* [Architecture Overview](/data-ai/modms/architecture)