# Introduction to EPFS

## Overview

EPFS (E2E Parallel File System) is a highly scalable and reliable parallel file system designed for large-scale High-Performance Computing (HPC) environments. It delivers exceptional performance by supporting parallel data access, making it ideal for handling massive datasets and numerous clients.

- **High throughput**: Supports multiple simultaneous clients.
- **Scalability**: Can handle petabytes of data and thousands of clients.
- **Reliability**: Uses robust mechanisms to ensure data integrity.

## How EPFS Works

1. **Data Distribution**:
    - Data is striped across multiple OSSs, enabling parallel read/write operations.
    - The striping pattern can be customized for specific use cases.

2. **Metadata Management**:
    - The MDS manages metadata, keeping operations like file creation and deletion fast.

3. **Parallelism**:
    - Clients access data in parallel from OSSs, minimizing bottlenecks.

## Advantages

- **High Speed**: Parallel operations increase performance.
- **Fault Tolerance**: Data is replicated across nodes.
- **Scalability**: Designed for massive datasets and numerous clients.

:::info Note
This feature is currently available on AlmaLinux and RockyLinux.
:::

## Managing EPFS

### Creating an EPFS

1. Navigate to the **Storage > EPFS** section in the left sidebar of the dashboard.

   ![Dashboard](images/dashbard.png)

2. Click **Create**.

   ![Create EPFS](images/create_epfs.png)

3. Provide the following details:
    - **Name**: Enter a name for your EPFS.
    - **Plan**: Select an appropriate plan.
    - **VPC**: Choose the desired Virtual Private Cloud.

   ![Select Plan](images/select_plan.png)

4. Click **Create EPFS**.  
   Your newly created EPFS will appear in the list.

   ![List EPFS](images/list_epfs.png)

### Accessing EPFS

:::info Note
Ensure that EPFS and the Virtual Machine (VM) are on the same network.
:::

Follow these steps to set up the client and mount EPFS:

1. **Download the Client Setup Script**:  
   Download the `scripts.tar` file.

   ![Download Client](images/download_client.png)

2. **Transfer the script to the server**:  
   Use the `scp` command to copy the file into your server.

   ```bash
   scp <File-Location>/scripts.tar <username>@<server_ip>:/root/
    ```
3. **Extract the tar file:**

      Run the following command to extract the script:

```bash
tar -xvf <file_name>
```

4. **Run the Client Setup Command:** 

To set up the client, you need to run the setup script using the command below.
Each new EPFS (Encrypted Parallel File System) deployment will have its own unique parameters — these values change every time you create a new EPFS instance.

    Execute the following script to set up the client:

```bash
./client_setup.sh <tcp_port> <server_ip> <protocol>
```
 ![](images/run_clientscriptnew.png)



5. **Mount the EPFS:**

    Use the following command to mount EPFS:

```bash
mount -t lustre 10.20.56.8@tcp:/pfs0 <path_to_your_folder>
```
 ![](images/mount_point.png)

### Upgrading EPFS


Enhance your EPFS by increasing its memory capacity through the Upgrade EPFS feature.
1. Click Upgrade under the Action menu.

![](images/action_upgrade.png)


2. Select the desired upgraded plan and Confirm by clicking the Upgrade button.

![](images/update.png)


3. Your EPFS will be upgraded to the selected configuration.

![](images/upgrading_show.png)
    

![](images/upgraded_list.png)


### Deleting an EPFS


- Select Delete from the Action menu.

![](images/action_delete.png)


- A warning message will notify you of permanent data loss.
- Confirm and proceed by clicking Delete. The selected EPFS storage will be removed.

![](images/delete_epfs.png)


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