 Lustre metadata server

A Lustre metadata server manages namespace and file metadata operations for a Lustre file system, backed by one or more metadata targets. It handles information such as names, directory structure, permissions and layout information identifying where file content resides. Bulk content normally moves directly between clients and Lustre object storage servers.^[ref]

For example, opening a named file requires locating it and obtaining its layout. Reading a long region can then transfer substantial content without routing every byte through that same Lustre metadata server. A workload creating millions of tiny files stresses this metadata path differently from one streaming a few large files. More bulk storage alone therefore need not accelerate name lookup or creation.