Hello,
could it be possible to have a just storage service from Linode? I mean a node that serves only storage accessible by classical protocols such as NFS, FTP, WebDAV and so on.
No matter how many CPUs, RAM: it could be great to have a scalable storage (just in terms of GB) to access from other "standard" nodes.
So when I need more space I have only to increase the space offered by my storage node... so simple, nothing more!

Other VPS providers are offering this copule of services: VPS (where the app works) and STORAGE (where data/files persist)

Thank you

Your Linode can function as just a file server. You can configure your Linode to be anything you want (within reason ... I think they have restrictions against death stars, turtles, skynet technologies and anything designed and/or created by Homer Simpson).

Ok, I know that, but it's not a pure storage service. I mean a hosted service that exposes only the protocols (no shell, no console) to access the storage.
No template or kernel to configure, but a virtual disk to scale depending on the case, and to share with many nodes if I needed.
If I run out of space in my node, at the moment I have to increase the plan for the entire node (I know, I can extend the storage only, but it could be more expensive than resizing the entire node plan), when I need a selector to increase my storage space only... I don't need more CPU, or RAM, just space.

At the end, just a disk instead of a node

Note that this has been talked about before: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=10181

Storage services have been talked about before, though I'd like to point out that it is possible on a Linode to expose only storage-related services. The question is: How would the storage space compare between a storage-only Linode and a disk-only service at the same price?

_________________
Kris the Piki Geeker

I think it's not the right point of view: I can set up a new node to expose "storage service" via NFS, to other nodes, but it's not completely possible in Linode.
I try to explain: my node is strong enough for the app it's hosting and I don't need to improve its "muscles" (CPU, RAM...) but I could need more disk space. Here is my problem: if I click the Extra tab in my Linode Console and i open the "Addition Storage" selection, the max amount of space I can add is 12 GB for $12/mo. 12 GB and no more... and if I needed an important amount of space, for example 1TB or 10+TB?

This is the question! Why can't I add an arbitrary amount of space (paying for it, obviously...) to my node!?
The only way to go is to resize my entire node, so I would have to pay for extra resources I don't need.
And probably the biggest node plan would have a limitation for the max amount of space: I don't need INFINITE space, but what about tens of TB!?

It does not mean Linode has a bad service (you guys are the best!), but probably only a bit less flexible than other competitors.
And because I really think you have the best VPS infrastructure ever, I would like you could offer the most complete and flexible options to configure my nodes...

So, let's close here this post. I understand at this moment this is not possible. Only a question: plans for the future?

You can't add an arbitrary amount because there is a fixed amount of space on the host, and most of it is allocated to linodes by default. What would make sense is a SAN or NAS service from Linode, but they've showed little interest in offering any storage services.

Right now, your only options are:

1) Resize your linode to have as much space as you need ($0.427/GB, best speed)
2) Add a new linode to use strictly for storage ($0.427/GB, LAN speed)
3) Rent a storage box from another provider ($0.0195/GB, internet speed)
4) Use a cloud storage solution like S3 (~$0.10/GB, slow speed, price varies)

5) A compressed filesystem like btrfs or something that uses FUSE.

Thanks for your replies.
At the end, a SAN/NAS service would be the best option (when and if Linode will offer it), in order to have good service and low latency (it would work in the same infrastructure).
I will take a look outside Linode for this kind of service.

Thank you

I'd rather do ZFS over btrfs (likely more stable/mature on Linux, ironic that), but a compressed filesystem won't get you very far. Chances are that if you need large amounts of storage, you're trying to deliver content that isn't easily compressible, like audio/video/images/etc.

Of course, if you're just running a huge MySQL database, then an LZ4-compressed ZFS filesystem on your linode could be just the ticket.