LINBIT
Vienna's DRBD and LINSTOR: open-source replicated storage that Proxmox lists as a native backend.
Quick Overview
| Company | LINBIT HA-Solutions GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Virtualization Software |
| Headquarters | Vienna, Austria |
| Founded | 2001 |
| EU Presence | EU (Austria) |
| Data Location | Your own infrastructure |
| Open Source | DRBD is GPLv2; LINSTOR is open source |
| Pricing | LINSTOR and DRBD are open source and free; LINBIT SDS, HA, DR and VSAN support subscriptions start at about $1,000 per 2 nodes per year (Starter, community-style support), with Basic, Plus and Enterprise tiers adding SLA-backed response times, quoted on request |
| Free Option | Free and open source (DRBD, LINSTOR) |
| Replaces | VMware vSAN, Ceph, SAN arrays |
Detailed Review
LINBIT makes DRBD, the block-level replication driver built into the Linux kernel, and LINSTOR, the orchestration layer that turns DRBD volumes into a storage pool Proxmox VE lists as a native backend alongside Ceph and ZFS.
For a cluster that wants synchronous replication without Ceph's operational weight, DRBD is the simpler alternative, and both DRBD and LINSTOR are open source rather than paid add-ons. LINBIT also supports Kubernetes and CloudStack directly, so the same replication layer follows a workload that later moves off a single hypervisor.
The commercial layer sits on top of free software rather than replacing it. LINBIT SDS, HA, DR and VSAN package the open-source core with certified binaries, cluster-wide management and a support contract, priced by cluster or node plus a per-terabyte fee.
The Starter tier begins at about $1,000 per two nodes per year with community-style support; Basic, Plus and Enterprise tiers add SLA-backed response times and are quoted on request. Running DRBD and LINSTOR unsupported remains a legitimate option for a team comfortable operating storage software itself.
LINBIT HA-Solutions GmbH has operated from Vienna since 2001, one of the older names in this category and older than most of the hypervisors it now plugs into. The honest limits: LINBIT sells a storage layer, not a hypervisor, so it only matters once Proxmox, CloudStack or Kubernetes is already the plan, and DRBD's replication model demands a well-specified network in the same way Ceph and StorPool do.
What LINBIT does well
- Free and open source, no forced subscription
- Native Proxmox VE storage backend
- Also integrates with Kubernetes and CloudStack
- Support from about $1,000 per 2 nodes/year
- Two decades of DRBD development from Vienna
Where LINBIT falls short
- Storage layer only, not a hypervisor
- Needs a well-specified network like Ceph
- Higher support tiers quoted on request
- Smaller ecosystem than Ceph or StorPool
Standout feature. The open-source replication driver Proxmox itself lists as a native storage backend, free unless you want the support contract.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Free and open source, no forced subscription
- Native Proxmox VE storage backend
- Also integrates with Kubernetes and CloudStack
- Support from about $1,000 per 2 nodes/year
- Two decades of DRBD development from Vienna
Cons
- Storage layer only, not a hypervisor
- Needs a well-specified network like Ceph
- Higher support tiers quoted on request
- Smaller ecosystem than Ceph or StorPool
Alternatives to LINBIT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LINBIT?
LINBIT makes DRBD, the block-level replication driver built into the Linux kernel, and LINSTOR, the orchestration layer that turns DRBD volumes into a storage pool Proxmox VE lists as a native backend alongside Ceph and ZFS.
For a cluster that wants synchronous replication without Ceph's operational weight, DRBD is the simpler alternative, and both DRBD and LINSTOR are open source rather than paid add-ons. LINBIT also supports Kubernetes and CloudStack directly, so the same replication layer follows a workload that later moves off a single hypervisor.
Where is LINBIT based?
LINBIT operates from Vienna, Austria, which places it under EU (Austria).
What does LINBIT cost?
LINSTOR and DRBD are open source and free; LINBIT SDS, HA, DR and VSAN support subscriptions start at about $1,000 per 2 nodes per year (Starter, community-style support), with Basic, Plus and Enterprise tiers adding SLA-backed response times, quoted on request. Free and open source (DRBD, LINSTOR).
Who is LINBIT best for?
Teams needing DRBD-replicated storage under Proxmox or Kubernetes. The open-source replication driver Proxmox itself lists as a native storage backend, free unless you want the support contract.
What are the drawbacks of LINBIT?
Storage layer only, not a hypervisor. Needs a well-specified network like Ceph. Higher support tiers quoted on request. Smaller ecosystem than Ceph or StorPool.