GlusterFS
GlusterFS is an open-source, scalable distributed file system that aggregates storage resources from multiple servers into a single global namespace. It is designed for cloud, big data, and media streaming applications, providing high availability, scalability, and performance through a software-defined architecture without a central metadata server. The system uses a modular stack of translators to handle functions like replication, distribution, and client protocols.
Developers should learn GlusterFS when building applications that require scalable and fault-tolerant storage, such as cloud-native deployments, big data analytics platforms, or media content delivery networks. It is particularly useful in environments where traditional storage solutions are too costly or inflexible, as it allows for easy expansion by adding more nodes without downtime. Use cases include web hosting, backup systems, and virtual machine storage in data centers.