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LINBIT DRBD

linbit.com

From $83.33/mo Free plan WindowsLinuxSelf-hosted
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Spec score 8.2 #7 of 24 in Storage Replication Software

What it is

LINBIT DRBD is open-source distributed replicated block storage software for Linux, used in high-availability setups. Its kernel driver mirrors writes to one or more peer nodes; in synchronous mode, a write completes only after local and peer storage completion events. Reads can be served locally without network traffic, and the data path avoids user-space components. DRBD combines the kernel driver with user-space management applications and shell scripts, and its command-line interface can manage large clusters without relying on cloud, virtualization, or container platforms. It supports TCP/IP and RDMA/Verbs transports, including InfiniBand, iWARP, and RoCE. The DRBD 9 guide documents TLS encryption for TCP transport. LINBIT also offers WinDRBD for Windows and says its subscriptions integrate with Kubernetes and other major platforms. The open-source community version is free; LINBIT Starter is $1,000 a year, starting from $1,000 for two nodes. The company is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.

Spec sheet

Purpose
DRBD is open-source distributed replicated block storage software for Linux, typically used for high-performance high availability.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Integrations
LINBIT says its subscriptions integrate with Kubernetes and other major platforms and environments.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Security
The DRBD 9 guide documents TLS traffic encryption for TCP transport, with connection authentication and encryption configured through tlshd and keys in /etc/tlshd.conf.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Support
LINBIT HA Enterprise includes unlimited support tickets, 24x7 email and phone support, and a maximum 4-hour initial support response time.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Headquarters
Vienna, AustriaRead 28 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Company
LINBIT says its headquarters are in Vienna, Austria, and that the company was incorporated in 2001.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Architecture
DRBD is implemented as a kernel driver, user-space management applications, and shell scripts.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Downloads
LINBIT's downloads page offers DRBD 9 Linux kernel driver source archives, including versions 9.3.4 and 9.2.20 listed as modified September 15, 2026.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Local I/O
Read requests can be carried out locally without network traffic, and the data path does not involve user-space components.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Networking
DRBD supports TCP/IP and RDMA/Verbs transports, including InfiniBand, iWARP, and RoCE use cases.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Replication
The DRBD kernel driver mirrors writes to one or more peer nodes and in synchronous mode confirms completion after local and peer storage completion events.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Standalone use
DRBD has a command-line interface and can manage large clusters independently of cloud, virtualization, or container platforms.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Support limit
LINBIT HA Basic limits support to five tickets per year and device size up to 8TB; Plus raises device size to 32TB.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
Windows
LINBIT provides WinDRBD, a DRBD driver for Windows, with precompiled and signed packages available from its download page.Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com

Plans and prices

DRBD open-source community version Free DRBD 9 source code · documentation and tech guides · community support Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
LINBIT Starter $1,000 a year Starting from $1,000 /2 nodes/year Official repositories · latest software updates · community non-SLA support · DRBD 9 Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
LINBIT HA Basic Priced on request Priced per node per year 5 support tickets per year · device size up to 8TB · business-hour SLA support Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
LINBIT HA Enterprise Priced on request Priced per node per year Unlimited device size · 24x7 email/phone support · 1-hour maximum emergency initial response Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com
LINBIT HA Plus Priced on request Priced per node per year Unlimited support tickets · device size up to 32TB · remote installation and troubleshooting Read 30 Sep 2026 · linbit.com

Every LINBIT DRBD plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Local reads avoid network traffic.
  • Supports TCP/IP and RDMA/Verbs transports.
  • Can manage clusters independently of cloud platforms.
  • Windows driver packages are available.
  • Free community version includes DRBD 9 source code.

Limits

  • LINBIT Starter is $1,000 a year.
  • HA Basic limits devices to 8TB.
  • HA Basic includes five support tickets per year.
  • Windows is provided through the separate WinDRBD driver.

Who it suits

DRBD suits teams that need replicated block storage for high availability, including those managing clusters independently of cloud or container platforms. The community version may suit users who want source code and community support; paid support options have differing ticket and device-size limits.

Verdict

DRBD combines kernel-level replication with standalone cluster management and multiple transport options. Compare support limits and listed subscription terms with your deployment needs before choosing a plan.

Where Specifiction places it

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