Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have the following:

• Two or more Ubuntu 22.04 servers with root or sudo access.
• Proper network configuration between servers.
• Updated system packages.

If you need reliable servers, you might consider a VPS UK Windows solution for high performance and flexibility.

Step 1: Update Your Servers

On all servers, update the package index and upgrade the installed packages:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

This ensures that all dependencies required by GlusterFS are up-to-date.

Step 2: Install GlusterFS Server

Install GlusterFS on all nodes by running:

sudo apt install glusterfs-server -y

After installation, start and enable the GlusterFS service:

sudo systemctl start glusterd
sudo systemctl enable glusterd
            

Whether you're using a local server or a UK Windows VPS, these steps remain consistent.

Step 3: Configure Firewall Rules

GlusterFS requires certain ports to be open for communication. Allow these ports through UFW:

sudo ufw allow 24007
sudo ufw allow 24008
sudo ufw allow 24009:24049/tcp
            

Enable UFW if it's not already enabled:

sudo ufw enable

Proper firewall configuration is crucial for both security and functionality, especially on a Windows Server VPS.

Step 4: Set Up Hostname Resolution

Edit the /etc/hosts file on each server to include the IP addresses and hostnames of all nodes:

sudo nano /etc/hosts
            

Add the following lines (adjust IP addresses and hostnames accordingly):

192.168.1.1 gluster-node1
192.168.1.2 gluster-node2
            

Step 5: Create Trusted Storage Pool

On the first server, probe the second server to create a trusted pool:

sudo gluster peer probe gluster-node2

Verify the pool status:

sudo gluster peer status

This step is vital for the nodes to communicate and share storage, regardless of whether you're using physical hardware or a Windows Virtual Private Server.

Step 6: Create GlusterFS Volume

First, create directories that will serve as GlusterFS bricks:

sudo mkdir -p /gluster-storage/brick1
            

Repeat this on all servers. Then, create a replicated volume:

sudo gluster volume create gv0 replica 2 gluster-node1:/gluster-storage/brick1 gluster-node2:/gluster-storage/brick1
            

Start the volume:

sudo gluster volume start gv0

Step 7: Mount the GlusterFS Volume

Install the GlusterFS client:

sudo apt install glusterfs-client -y

Create a mount point and mount the volume:

sudo mkdir /mnt/glusterfs
sudo mount -t glusterfs gluster-node1:/gv0 /mnt/glusterfs
            

Add the following line to /etc/fstab to mount the volume at boot:

gluster-node1:/gv0 /mnt/glusterfs glusterfs defaults,_netdev 0 0

Step 8: Mirror Your Web Site With rsync

To ensure your website data is consistent across servers, you can mirror it using rsync. This is especially useful when you have multiple servers or are using services like VPS Windows Hosting.

Use the following command to synchronize your website directory:

rsync -avz /path/to/website/ user@remote-server:/path/to/destination/
            

Automate this process with a cron job for regular synchronization.

Conclusion

You've successfully installed and configured GlusterFS on Ubuntu 22.04. This setup allows for scalable and distributed storage across multiple servers. Combining GlusterFS with rsync ensures high availability and data redundancy for your web applications.

For robust and scalable hosting solutions, consider exploring Windows VPS Italy or UK Windows VPS options. Services like virtual private server hosting windows and windows virtual dedicated server hosting provide the flexibility and power needed for demanding applications.