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.
Is LINBIT a good alternative to VMware vSAN?
LINBIT is built as a European alternative to VMware vSAN: Vienna's DRBD and LINSTOR: open-source replicated storage that Proxmox lists as a native backend. It will not be a like-for-like feature match in every respect, so check the review above for where the two genuinely differ before switching.
How does LINBIT compare to other Virtualization Software?
LINBIT is one of several European Virtualization Software we cover. It is most often compared with VMware vSAN, Ceph, SAN arrays.