---
title: "Scalable File System"
description: "SFS is NFS-based shared file storage that multiple nodes can mount and use at once."
content_type: "overview"
product: "sfs"
platform: "MyAccount"
url: "/myaccount/sfs/"
---

# Scalable File System

Scalable File System (SFS) is shared file storage that several nodes can mount and use at once.
Nodes reach it over the Network File System (NFS). NFS is a standard protocol for sharing files
across a network, and both Linux and Windows Server nodes can use it. You create an SFS once, give
access to the nodes that need it, and mount it on each of them. SFS suits any work where several
nodes need the same files, and snapshots, plus backups for an SFS in the Default VPC, protect that
data.

## How it fits together

```mermaid
flowchart TD
    A[Create an SFS] --> B[Give a VPC or nodes access]
    B --> C[Mount it on each node]
    A --> D[Protect it with snapshots and backups]
```

## What you can do

- [Create an SFS](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/create-an-sfs/) with a plan and a VPC.
- [Grant a VPC access to an SFS](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/grant-vpc-access-to-an-sfs/), or
  [Configure per-node access to an SFS](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/configure-per-node-access-to-an-sfs/)
  to choose nodes one at a time.
- [Mount an SFS](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/mount-an-sfs/) on a Linux or Windows Server node, or
  [Use an SFS from Kubernetes](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/use-an-sfs-from-kubernetes/) as shared
  storage for pods.
- [Create and schedule an SFS snapshot](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/create-and-schedule-an-sfs-snapshot/),
  then [Clone or upgrade an SFS](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/clone-or-upgrade-an-sfs/) from it.
- [Back up an SFS](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/back-up-an-sfs/), and
  [Restore from an SFS backup](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/restore-from-an-sfs-backup/) to bring back
  files from an earlier time.
- [Convert an SFS to a committed plan](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/convert-an-sfs-to-a-committed-plan/)
  for a lower rate, or [Delete an SFS](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/delete-an-sfs/) when you have finished
  with it.

## Who it is for

Common uses:

- Websites and content management systems. Several web nodes behind a load balancer serve the same
  site files and uploads. A file saved on one node is there on all of them.
- Shared code and tools for development teams. The team's nodes mount the same folders for code,
  build output, and tools. To try a change safely, clone the SFS from a snapshot and work on the
  copy.
- Data for analytics and machine learning. Many nodes read the same datasets at once. Give the nodes that only read the data **Read Only** access,
  so the data stays exactly as it is.
- Kubernetes and containers. With VPC-wide access, a Kubernetes cluster in the SFS's VPC can reach
  it, so applications running on different nodes share one set of files. See
  [Use an SFS from Kubernetes](/myaccount/sfs/how-to/use-an-sfs-from-kubernetes/).
- Shared folders for Linux and Windows servers. Linux nodes and Windows Server nodes can both mount
  an SFS, for team folders, shared settings, or logs. If someone deletes a file by mistake, a backup
  brings it back.

## Where to start

Start with [Get started with SFS](/myaccount/sfs/get-started/). If something goes wrong,
[Troubleshooting SFS](/myaccount/sfs/troubleshooting/sfs/) has the fixes, and the [SFS
FAQ](/myaccount/sfs/faq/) has short answers.