Install Ceph Step-by-Step | Guide for Linux, Centos, More

Optimizing storage infrastructure on dedicated cloud services at IOFLOOD can be achieved various ways. A common choice is with the installation of Ceph. Ceph’s distributed architecture and integration with Linux systems make it a preferred choice for scalable storage solutions. This article provides a streamlined approach to equip our customers and fellow developers with the knowledge to implement storage configurations with ease.

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing Ceph on Linux. We will cover methods for both APT-based distributions like Debian and Ubuntu, as well as YUM-based distributions like CentOS and AlmaLinux. We’ll also delve into more advanced topics like compiling Ceph from source and installing a specific version of Ceph. Finally, we will show you how to use Ceph and ensure it’s installed correctly.

So, let’s dive in and start installing Ceph on your Linux system!

TL;DR: How Do I Install Ceph on Linux?

On Ubuntu, install Ceph by runningsudo apt-get install ceph. For CentOS, use sudo yum install ceph. After installation, configure Ceph by editing /etc/ceph/ceph.conf and start the services with sudo systemctl start ceph.

Another method for Ubuntu is with the commands:

sudo apt-add-repository 'deb https://download.ceph.com/debian-luminous/ $(lsb_release -sc) main'
sudo apt-get install ceph-deploy

This will add the Ceph repository to your package manager and install the ceph-deploy tool, which is used to install Ceph on your system.

This is a basic way to install Ceph on Linux, but there’s much more to learn about installing and using Ceph. Continue reading for more detailed information and advanced installation options.

Basic Linux Installation for Ceph

Ceph is a unified, distributed storage system designed for excellent performance, reliability, and scalability. It allows you to store and manage large amounts of data efficiently. Whether you’re running a small home server or a massive data center, Ceph can be a game-changer.

Let’s start with the basics of installing Ceph on a Linux system. We’ll cover installation using two popular package managers: APT (used in Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu) and YUM (used in RHEL-based distributions like CentOS).

Installing Ceph with APT

On a Debian-based system, you can install Ceph using the APT package manager. The first step is to add the Ceph repository to your system’s list of APT sources.

echo deb https://download.ceph.com/debian-luminous/ $(lsb_release -sc) main | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/ceph.list

This command adds the Ceph repository to your APT sources. The $(lsb_release -sc) part of the command automatically inserts the codename of your Ubuntu version.

Next, update your package lists and install Ceph:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install ceph

This will fetch the latest package information and then install Ceph on your system.

Installing Ceph with YUM

If you’re using a RHEL-based distribution, you can use the YUM package manager to install Ceph. First, add the Ceph repository to your YUM configuration:

sudo rpm -Uvh https://download.ceph.com/rpm-luminous/el7/noarch/ceph-release-1-1.el7.noarch.rpm

This command downloads and installs the Ceph repository package, which adds the Ceph repository to your YUM configuration.

Next, update your package lists and install Ceph:

sudo yum update
sudo yum install ceph

This will fetch the latest package information and then install Ceph on your system.

These are the basic methods for installing Ceph on Linux. In the next sections, we’ll cover more advanced installation methods and how to use Ceph once it’s installed.

Installing Ceph from Source

For those who prefer more control over their installations or need a specific version of Ceph, installing from source is an option. This method is more involved and requires some familiarity with the Linux command line and build tools.

First, clone the Ceph repository from GitHub:

git clone https://github.com/ceph/ceph.git

Then, navigate to the cloned repository and build Ceph:

cd ceph
./install-deps.sh
./do_cmake.sh
make

This will compile Ceph from source and produce executable files.

Installing Specific Versions of Ceph

Different versions of Ceph come with various features, improvements, and bug fixes. Depending on your needs, you might want to install a specific version. Let’s discuss how to do this both from source and using package managers.

From Source

To install a specific version from source, you need to check out the appropriate tag before building. For example, to install version 14.2.5:

git clone https://github.com/ceph/ceph.git
cd ceph
git checkout tags/v14.2.5
./install-deps.sh
./do_cmake.sh
make

Using APT

To install a specific version using APT, you can specify the version in the install command:

sudo apt-get install ceph=14.2.5

Using YUM

Similarly, with YUM you can specify the version in the install command:

sudo yum install ceph-14.2.5

Version Comparison

Basic Usage and Verification

After installing Ceph, you can verify its installation and start using it. To check if Ceph is installed correctly:

ceph --version

This should return the version of Ceph that you installed.

To start using Ceph, you can create a new storage pool:

ceph osd pool create mypool 100

This command creates a new storage pool named ‘mypool’ with 100 placement groups. You can verify the creation of the pool with the ‘ceph osd pool ls’ command:

ceph osd pool ls

This command lists all storage pools, and you should see ‘mypool’ in the output.

Alternate Distributed Storage Systems

Ceph is a powerful tool for setting up distributed storage on Linux, but it’s not the only option out there. If you’re looking for alternatives, two stand-out options are GlusterFS and Hadoop. Both systems have their unique strengths and use-cases.

GlusterFS: A User-Friendly Alternative

GlusterFS is a scalable network filesystem that can handle petabytes of data. It’s known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a good option for less technical users or smaller setups.

To install GlusterFS on Ubuntu, you would use the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gluster/glusterfs-7
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install glusterfs-server

This adds the GlusterFS repository, updates your package list, and installs the GlusterFS server package.

To verify the installation, you can run:

gluster --version

This should return the version of GlusterFS that you installed.

Hadoop: A Big Data Powerhouse

Hadoop is a framework for distributed storage and processing of large datasets. It’s a bit more complex than Ceph or GlusterFS, but it’s incredibly powerful and widely used in big data applications.

To install Hadoop on Ubuntu, you can download the binary and extract it with the following commands:

wget https://downloads.apache.org/hadoop/common/hadoop-3.3.0/hadoop-3.3.0.tar.gz
tar xvf hadoop-3.3.0.tar.gz

This downloads the Hadoop binary and extracts it to a directory named ‘hadoop-3.3.0’.

To verify the installation, you can run:

./hadoop-3.3.0/bin/hadoop version

This should return the version of Hadoop that you installed.

Comparing Ceph, GlusterFS, and Hadoop

All three of these systems can be great choices for distributed storage on Linux. The best one for you depends on your specific needs and the scale of your operation.

Troubleshooting Ceph Installations

Like any software installation, installing Ceph on Linux can sometimes present challenges. Here are some common issues you might encounter and their solutions.

Error: Repository Not Found

When adding the Ceph repository, you might encounter an error like ‘Repository not found’. This could mean that the repository URL is incorrect or that there’s a network issue.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ceph/invalid-repo

# Output:
# 'Cannot add PPA: 'ppa:~ceph/ubuntu/invalid-repo'.
# The team named '~ceph' has no PPA named 'ubuntu/invalid-repo'

To resolve this, double-check the repository URL or try a different network connection.

Error: Package Not Found

When trying to install Ceph, you might see an error like ‘E: Unable to locate package ceph’. This usually means that your package lists are out of date or that the Ceph package is not available in your configured repositories.

sudo apt-get install invalid-package

# Output:
# 'E: Unable to locate package invalid-package'

To fix this, you can update your package lists with ‘sudo apt-get update’ or ‘sudo yum update’. If the issue persists, check your repository configuration.

Error: Unmet Dependencies

Sometimes, you might see an error about unmet dependencies when trying to install Ceph. This means that Ceph requires other packages that are not currently installed on your system.

To resolve this, you can use the ‘-f’ option with ‘apt-get’ or ‘yum’ to automatically install the required dependencies.

sudo apt-get install -f

This command will attempt to correct a system with broken dependencies in place.

Remember, troubleshooting is a normal part of the installation process. Don’t get discouraged if you encounter issues – with patience and persistence, you’ll get Ceph up and running on your Linux system.

What are Distributed Storage Systems

Distributed storage systems are an essential part of modern data management. They allow data to be stored across multiple nodes, ensuring high availability, fault tolerance, and scalability. But what exactly is a distributed storage system, and how does Ceph fit into this picture?

The Concept of Distributed Storage

In traditional storage systems, data is stored on a single machine or server. This setup can lead to several problems: the server could become a bottleneck, it might run out of storage space, or if the server fails, all data could be lost.

A distributed storage system solves these problems by spreading data across multiple machines. This not only increases storage capacity but also improves performance and reliability. If one machine fails, the data is still available from other machines.

# Traditional storage system

Data -> |Server|

# Distributed storage system

Data -> |Node 1| -> |Node 2| -> |Node 3|

In the above representation, you can see how data is stored in a traditional vs. a distributed storage system.

Ceph: A Leader in Distributed Storage

Ceph is a unified, distributed storage system designed for excellent performance, reliability, and scalability. It provides three types of storage in one platform:

1. Block storage
2. Object storage
3. File system

Ceph’s ability to provide these three types of storage in one platform sets it apart from other distributed storage systems. It also automatically replicates data to ensure fault-tolerance.

# Ceph storage system

Data -> |Block Storage| -> |Object Storage| -> |File System|

In the above representation, you can see how data flows in a Ceph storage system.

Ceph’s architecture is also unique. It doesn’t have a single point of failure, and it’s self-managing, which means it can automatically balance data across the cluster and recover from failures.

By understanding the fundamentals of distributed storage and the unique features of Ceph, we can better appreciate the benefits of installing Ceph on a Linux system.

Practical Usages of Ceph Knowledge

Once you’ve mastered the basics of Ceph installation, you may find yourself eager to explore the wider applications of Ceph in larger projects and learn how to optimize its performance for your specific use cases.

Managing a Ceph Cluster

Ceph’s true power lies in its ability to manage large clusters of storage nodes. A Ceph cluster can scale from a few nodes to thousands, providing petabytes or even exabytes of storage. Understanding how to manage a Ceph cluster is crucial for leveraging its full potential.

ceph osd pool create mypool 128
ceph osd pool set mypool size 3

In this example, we create a new pool with 128 placement groups and set the replication factor to 3. This means that each object in the pool will be stored on three different OSDs.

Optimizing Ceph Performance

Like any system, Ceph’s performance can be affected by a variety of factors, including hardware, network configuration, and workload characteristics. Understanding these factors and how to optimize them can help you get the most out of your Ceph installation.

ceph osd pool set mypool pg_num 256

In this example, we increase the number of placement groups in a pool to 256. This can improve performance by distributing the workload more evenly across the OSDs.

Further Resources for Mastering Ceph

To deepen your understanding of Ceph and its applications, here are some valuable resources:

1. Ceph’s Official Documentation: This is a comprehensive resource covering everything from basic installation to advanced configuration and management.

2. Red Hat’s Ceph Storage: Red Hat provides a robust commercial version of Ceph with extensive support and resources.

3. Ceph Community: This community-driven site offers a wealth of information, including tutorials, case studies, and a forum for asking questions and sharing knowledge.

By delving into these resources and continuing to experiment with Ceph, you’ll be well on your way to mastering this powerful distributed storage system.

Recap: Ceph Installation Tutorial

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve navigated through the process of installing Ceph on Linux, a powerful tool for setting up a robust and scalable storage system on your server.

We embarked on this journey with the basics of installing Ceph using popular package managers like APT and YUM. We then ventured into more advanced territory, exploring the process of installing Ceph from source and installing specific versions of Ceph. Along the way, we tackled common challenges you might encounter during the installation process, providing you with solutions and workarounds for each issue.

We also looked at alternative approaches to distributed storage, comparing Ceph with other systems like GlusterFS and Hadoop. Here’s a quick comparison of these systems:

Whether you’re just starting out with Ceph or you’re looking to level up your server management skills, we hope this guide has given you a deeper understanding of Ceph and its installation process.

With its balance of scalability, reliability, and advanced features, Ceph is a powerful tool for managing storage on your Linux server. Happy server management!