Openfiler
Free NAS and SAN operating system based on CentOS.
Openfiler is an operating system designed for file-based network-attached storage and block-based storage area networking. It is free software, released under the GNU GPLv2, and built on the CentOS Linux distribution. The system was developed by Xinit Systems.
The Openfiler codebase originated at Xinit Systems in 2001. In October 2003, the company established a project and contributed the codebase to it. The first public version was released in May 2004, with the most recent release appearing in 2011. No formal announcement has been made, but there is no indication of active development since 2015. DistroWatch lists Openfiler as discontinued, though the official website notes that paid support remains available.
Some users have reported running Openfiler for years without significant issues. However, a 2013 article on the SpiceWorks website advised against using it, pointing to a lack of features, insufficient support, and the risk of data loss.
Quick Facts
- Version Of
- CentOS
- Developer
- Openfiler Ltd.
- Family
- Unix-like
- Working State
- Inactive
- Source Model
- Open-source
- Latest Release Version
- 2.99.1
- Latest Release Date
- 2011-04-13
- Repo
- https: · github.com/skruger/reallyopenfiler
- Supported Platforms
- IA-32, x86-64
- License
- GNU GPLv2
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Openfiler codebase was started at Xinit Systems in 2001. The company created a project and donated the codebase to it in October 2003. The first public release of Openfiler was made in May 2004, and the latest release was published in 2011. Although there has been no formal announcement, there is no evidence that Openfiler is being actively developed since 2015. DistroWatch has listed Openfiler as discontinued. The official website states that paid support is still available. In a 2013 article on SpiceWorks website, the author recommended against using Openfiler, citing lack of features, lack of support and risk of data loss, though some users have run Openfiler for years with few problems.
Reader's Guide
Openfiler's significance lies in its role as an early free and open-source operating system dedicated to both file-based network-attached storage and block-based storage area network functions, built on the widely used CentOS Linux distribution. Its creation by Xinit Systems and donation to a project in 2003 helped establish a community-driven storage platform. However, the lack of active development since 2015 and its listing as discontinued by DistroWatch mark a decline in its relevance. The criticism from a 2013 SpiceWorks article, which warned of missing features, insufficient support, and potential data loss, further diminished its standing. Despite some users reporting long-term stability, Openfiler's legacy is that of a once-viable open-source storage OS that has been superseded by other solutions such as TrueNAS, OpenMediaVault, and XigmaNAS, while its official website still offers paid support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Openfiler?
Openfiler is a free operating system purpose-built for managing both file-based network-attached storage and block-based storage area networks. It functions as a dedicated storage platform rather than a general-purpose server OS.
Who created Openfiler and when did it start?
Xinit Systems wrote the original codebase beginning in 2001. The company then donated the project to an open-source initiative in October 2003, and the first public release shipped in May 2004.
What is Openfiler built on top of?
The system is constructed on the CentOS Linux distribution, which supplies its kernel and base system components. This gives it the stability of a Red Hat-derived platform while layering storage-specific tooling on top.
Under what license is Openfiler distributed?
Openfiler is released as free software under the GNU GPL version 2, a copyleft license that permits anyone to use, modify, and redistribute the code provided the same terms are passed along.
Is Openfiler still actively developed?
The latest public release appeared in 2011, and no formal end-of-life announcement has ever been issued. That said, there is no visible sign of ongoing development, so the project appears to have gone dormant.
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