15. Kubernetes CSI Driver for PanFS

This chapter explains how to configure and use the Container Storage Interface (CSI) with PanFS.

15.1 The PanFS CSI Driver

Modern containerized workloads often require persistent storage that remains available beyond the lifecycle of individual pods. Kubernetes provides a standardized mechanism for managing such storage through the Container Storage Interface (CSI), an open, community-driven specification that allows any compliant storage system to integrate seamlessly with the Kubernetes ecosystem.

With CSI, Kubernetes takes full responsibility for orchestrating the storage lifecycle: creating volumes when PersistentVolumeClaims (PVCs) are submitted, attaching them to the appropriate worker nodes, mounting them into workload pods, and later detaching or deleting them as needed. This eliminates manual intervention at the storage backend, enabling developers and operators to define storage requirements declaratively while letting the cluster handle the details.

In this model, the CSI driver serves as the bridge between Kubernetes and the underlying storage system, translating Kubernetes CSI API calls into the native operations required by the backend. Importantly, when using the PanFS/DFC CSI driver, there is no need to pre-create volumes manually within the PanFS realm; the driver will dynamically create and configure them on demand, based on the parameters defined in each PVC.

By implementing a CSI driver for PanFS storage, Kubernetes workloads can take full advantage of the performance, scalability, and reliability of the backend without custom scripts or manual configuration, aligning the storage experience with Kubernetes’ native workflows and best practices.

15.2 Installation, Configuration, and Diagnostics

The most recent files and documentation can be found at the links below.

Important: A GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT) is required for Kubernetes to authenticate with the GitHub container registry. Follow the instructions described in GitHub’s documentation to create a PAT with at least read permissions.

Basic information to get started: panfs-container-storage-interface-oss