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SPECIFICTION
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Ceph

ceph.io

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Spec score 8.8 #1 of 28 in Storage Management Software

What it is

Ceph is free, open-source distributed storage software for object, block, and file storage in one system. Organizations run clusters on commodity hardware that they choose and manage. Its RGW object storage supports the S3 API and Swift-compatible applications. RBD provides thin-provisioned disk images, snapshots, writable clones, and asynchronous mirroring to remote Ceph clusters. CephFS is a POSIX-compliant distributed filesystem with snapshots, quotas, and multi-cluster mirroring. The system can replicate data across devices, racks, and geographic locations, then redistribute it following hardware or connectivity failures. For Kubernetes, the project recommends Rook to run Ceph or connect an existing cluster; its CSI driver can provision block and file volumes. Installation choices include packages, container images, source clones, and tarballs. The cephadm tool requires Python 3, systemd, and Podman or Docker. Production guidance calls for at least three monitors, two managers, three OSDs, and 10 Gb/s networking between hosts. The project publishes a stable release annually and supports each series for approximately 24 months.

Spec sheet

What it does
Ceph is open-source distributed storage software that provides object, block, and file storage through one unified system.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Intended users
The maker identifies SMEs, global organizations, academic institutions, startups, and developers as Ceph audiences.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Deployment
Ceph runs on commodity hardware and can be installed and managed with cephadm or deployed on Kubernetes with Rook.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.ceph.com
Integrations
The documentation lists integrations for block devices including Kubernetes, QEMU, libvirt, OpenStack, Nomad, and CloudStack.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.ceph.com
Support
The maker directs users to documentation, the ceph-users mailing list, community channels, and the bug tracker for help.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
License
The maker says most of Ceph is dual licensed under LGPL 2.1 or 3.0, with some bundled components under other free software licenses.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Founded
2006Read 23 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Block storage
Ceph block devices are thin-provisioned, resizable, striped across multiple OSDs, and support snapshots and replication.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.ceph.com
Data protection
Ceph can replicate data across devices, racks, and geographic locations, and redistribute data after hardware or connectivity failures.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Deployment model
Ceph clusters run on commodity hardware that organizations choose and manage.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
File storage
CephFS is a POSIX-compliant distributed filesystem with snapshots, quotas, and multi-cluster mirroring.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
File system
CephFS is a POSIX-compliant distributed file system with metadata servers that can scale to support higher-throughput workloads.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.ceph.com
Hardware guidance
For production deployments, the FAQ recommends at least three monitors, two managers, and three OSDs, with at least 10 Gb/s networking between hosts.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Installation
The maker offers Ceph packages, container images, GitHub source clones, and tarballs; cephadm requires Python 3, systemd, and Podman or Docker.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Kubernetes integration
The maker recommends Rook to run Ceph in Kubernetes or connect an existing Ceph cluster, with the Ceph CSI driver provisioning block and file volumes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Licensing
Most of Ceph is dual-licensed under LGPL version 2.1 or 3.0, while some bundled components use other free software licenses.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Object storage
Ceph Object Gateway supports S3-compatible and Swift-compatible interfaces.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.ceph.com
Production releases
The project says it publishes a stable release each year, supports each release series for approximately 24 months, and issues point releases every 4 to 6 weeks.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Project stewardship
The Ceph Foundation operates under the Linux Foundation and coordinates member support for Ceph development and community activities.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Release support
The maker says Ceph ships a stable release each year, supports each release series for approximately 24 months, and publishes point releases every 4 to 6 weeks.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Security reporting
The Ceph project asks users to report suspected security vulnerabilities to its closed security mailing list at [email protected].Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io
Who it is for
Ceph describes its users as including businesses, cloud providers, universities, and research institutions.Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io

Plans and prices

Ceph Free Open-source distributed storage software; requires a running Ceph cluster for block storage Read 30 Sep 2026 · ceph.io

Every Ceph plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Provides object, block, and file storage
  • RGW supports S3 API and Swift-compatible applications
  • Can replicate across geographic locations
  • Kubernetes deployments can use Rook and Ceph CSI

Limits

  • Organizations choose and manage cluster hardware
  • Production guidance specifies multiple nodes and 10 Gb/s networking
  • cephadm requires Python 3 and systemd

Who it suits

Ceph is for organizations and developers that can deploy and manage distributed storage clusters on their own hardware. The project identifies businesses, cloud providers, universities, and research institutions among its audiences.

Verdict

Ceph offers several storage types in a cluster that organizations operate themselves. Its hardware guidance and installation prerequisites are important planning details.

Where Specifiction places it

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