Ceph
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- api, Linux, self-hosted, Windows
Summary
Ceph is open-source distributed storage software that brings object, block, and file storage into one system. Organizations run clusters on commodity hardware they choose and manage, using Ceph packages, container images, source clones, or tarballs. Its RGW object storage supports the S3 API and Swift-compatible applications, with object versioning, lifecycle rules, immutability, and cross-region replication. RBD provides thin-provisioned disk images, snapshots, writable clones, and asynchronous mirroring to other Ceph clusters. CephFS is a POSIX-compliant distributed filesystem with snapshots, quotas, and multi-cluster mirroring. Ceph can replicate data across devices, racks, and geographic locations, and redistribute it after hardware or connectivity failures. Kubernetes deployments can use Rook, while the Ceph CSI driver provisions block and file volumes. Production guidance calls for at least three monitors, two managers, three OSDs, and 10 Gb/s networking between hosts. Ceph is free; the listed plan is 0.00 USD per free. The project publishes a stable release annually and supports each release series for approximately 24 months.
Who it is for
Ceph suits organizations and developers that need self-managed distributed storage on commodity hardware. It is also intended for Kubernetes deployments and users seeking object, block, and file storage in one system.
What is good
- Combines object, block, and file storage.
- RGW supports S3 API and Swift-compatible applications.
- Supports snapshots, quotas, and mirroring.
- Can replicate across regions and recover from failures.
What to know first
- Clusters require hardware chosen and managed by the organization.
- Production guidance specifies multiple monitors, managers, and OSDs.
- cephadm requires Python 3, systemd, and Podman or Docker.
Verdict
Ceph offers a broad storage system for teams prepared to operate their own clusters. Its hardware requirements and cluster management make deployment planning important.
Ceph plans and pricing
All plansCompared on distributed file system software
- Free plan
- Yesceph.io
Facts
- What it does
- Ceph is open-source distributed storage software that provides object, block, and file storage through one unified system.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Deployment model
- Ceph clusters run on commodity hardware that organizations choose and manage.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Object storage
- Ceph's RGW object storage supports the S3 API and Swift-compatible applications.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Block storage
- Ceph RBD provides thin-provisioned disk images with snapshots, writable clones, and asynchronous mirroring to remote Ceph clusters.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- File storage
- CephFS is a POSIX-compliant distributed filesystem with snapshots, quotas, and multi-cluster mirroring.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Data protection
- Ceph can replicate data across devices, racks, and geographic locations, and redistribute data after hardware or connectivity failures.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- 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.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Installation
- The maker offers Ceph packages, container images, GitHub source clones, and tarballs; cephadm requires Python 3, systemd, and Podman or Docker.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Security reporting
- The Ceph project asks users to report suspected security vulnerabilities to its closed security mailing list at [email protected].ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to documentation, the ceph-users mailing list, community channels, and the bug tracker for help.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- 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.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- 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.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- The maker identifies SMEs, global organizations, academic institutions, startups, and developers as Ceph audiences.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Project stewardship
- The Ceph Foundation operates under the Linux Foundation and coordinates member support for Ceph development and community activities.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Deployment
- Ceph runs on commodity hardware and can be installed and managed with cephadm or deployed on Kubernetes with Rook.docs.ceph.com · 30 Sept 2026
- File system
- CephFS is a POSIX-compliant distributed file system with metadata servers that can scale to support higher-throughput workloads.docs.ceph.com · 30 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation lists integrations for block devices including Kubernetes, QEMU, libvirt, OpenStack, Nomad, and CloudStack.docs.ceph.com · 30 Sept 2026
- 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.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- 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.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Licensing
- Most of Ceph is dual-licensed under LGPL version 2.1 or 3.0, while some bundled components use other free software licenses.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
- Who it is for
- Ceph describes its users as including businesses, cloud providers, universities, and research institutions.ceph.io · 30 Sept 2026
Company
- Founded
- 2006ceph.io · 23 Sept 2026
Best Ceph alternatives
See all 12
Where it ranks on Everything Xiaomi
Is Ceph yours?
Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.
Sources
- ceph.io/en/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- ceph.io/en/discover/use-cases/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- ceph.io/en/discover/technology/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- ceph.io/en/discover/benefits/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- ceph.io/en/users/faq/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- ceph.io/en/users/getting-started/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- ceph.io/en/security/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- ceph.io/en/foundation/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.ceph.com/en/latest/install/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.ceph.com/en/latest/cephfs/· checked 30 Sept 2026
- docs.ceph.com/en/latest/rbd/· checked 30 Sept 2026