nfs-ganesha/nfs-ganesha
FreeNFS-Ganesha is an NFSv3,v4,v4.1 fileserver that runs in user mode on most UNIX/Linux systems
FreeFree tier
About nfs-ganesha/nfs-ganesha
NFS-Ganesha is an NFSv3, v4, and v4.1 fileserver that runs in user mode on most UNIX/Linux systems. It also supports the 9p.2000L protocol. Designed for flexibility, it integrates with multiple file system backends including CephFS, GlusterFS, Lustre, GPFS, and S3/RGW. Contributions are managed via gerrithub, and the project is written primarily in C. For detailed documentation, refer to the project wiki.
Key Features
NFSv3, v4, and v4.1 support
9p.2000L protocol support
Runs in user mode (no kernel module required)
Compatible with multiple file system backends (CephFS, GlusterFS, Lustre, GPFS, S3/RGW)
Open source (C language) with contributions via gerrithub
Active development with 58 releases
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Runs in user space, avoiding kernel dependency and simplifying deployment
- Supports modern NFS versions (v4, v4.1) along with legacy v3
- Also supports the 9p.2000L protocol for alternative file sharing
- Works with multiple popular storage backends, increasing flexibility
- Open source with an active community and regular releases
Cons
- Limited to UNIX/Linux platforms; no native Windows or macOS support
- May require configuration and tuning for production use
- Not as widely adopted as kernel-based NFS servers
- Documentation largely on wiki, may require additional research
Best For
Deploying an NFS server for UNIX/Linux environments without kernel modificationsProviding file access from distributed storage systems like CephFS or GlusterFS via NFSExporting object storage (S3/RGW) as an NFS mountIntegrating with high-performance computing (HPC) clusters using LustrePrototyping or testing NFS features in a user-space environment
FAQ
What NFS versions does NFS-Ganesha support?
NFS-Ganesha supports NFSv3, NFSv4, and NFSv4.1.
Does NFS-Ganesha support any protocols besides NFS?
Yes, it also supports the 9p.2000L protocol.
How can I contribute to NFS-Ganesha?
Code contributions are managed by submission to gerrithub for review. Pull requests from GitHub are not merged directly.