PetaSAN
petasan.org
What it is
PetaSAN is an open-source, software-defined storage platform for Linux and self-hosted web-managed deployments, licensed under AGPL 3. It uses Ceph and Consul, delivering storage through iSCSI, CIFS/SMB, NFS, and S3. Capacity can grow by adding nodes without interrupting service, and the system is described as multi-node active/active and highly available. Graphical interfaces are intended to help non-Linux administrators install and operate it. Listed use cases include VMware vSphere, Hyper-V, scale-out file systems, big-data analytics, database servers, and large-capacity backups. Capabilities include storage pools, user management, and snapshots. The self-support plan costs nothing; professional support and engineering consultation are also offered. Version 4.1.0 is dated February 18, 2026, and release 3.3.0 added dm-crypt OSD encryption and an HTTPS deployment wizard.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- PetaSAN is an open-source scale-out software-defined storage solution licensed under AGPL 3.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.org
- Security
- Release 3.3.0 added OSD encryption using Linux dm-crypt and a deployment wizard using HTTPS.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.org
- Support
- The maker says PetaSAN can be used free through self-support and offers professional support plans from its team.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.com
- Authentication
- The maker's Windows MPIO guide describes securing an iSCSI disk with username and password using CHAP authentication.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.org
- Availability
- PetaSAN describes its storage as multi-node active/active and highly available.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.org
- Consultation
- The maker offers engineering consultation for storage infrastructure design, network architecture, and hardware selection.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.com
- Management
- The product includes graphical interfaces intended to let non-Linux administrators install and operate it.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.org
- Protocols
- It provides storage services using iSCSI, CIFS/SMB, NFS, and S3 protocols.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.org
- Release
- The downloads page lists version 4.1.0, dated February 18, 2026, with kernel 6.12 and UI performance in its description.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.org
- Scale-out
- Storage capacity can be expanded by adding nodes without disrupting service.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.org
- Storage engine
- PetaSAN uses the Ceph storage engine and Consul service mesh platform.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.org
- Use cases
- The maker lists VMware vSphere, Hyper-V, scale-out file systems, big data analytics, database servers, and large-capacity backups as use cases.Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.org
Plans and prices
PetaSAN (self-support) Free Open-source storage platform · self-support model Read 7 Oct 2026 · petasan.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Open-source AGPL 3 licensing
- Supports iSCSI, SMB, NFS, and S3
- Adds nodes without disrupting service
- Graphical management targets non-Linux administrators
- Includes pools, users, and snapshots
Limits
- Self-support model places assistance responsibility on users
- Self-hosted Linux deployment required
- Some security features are tied to specific releases
Who it suits
PetaSAN suits organizations building self-hosted, expandable storage infrastructure on Linux. It is relevant to teams using virtualization, file services, databases, analytics, or large backups.
Verdict
PetaSAN offers scale-out storage with multiple protocols and web management. Its free self-support model suits teams prepared to operate the platform themselves.
Where Specifiction places it
- NAS Software#17 of 217.6
