= 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>.<Introduction to Lustre by Lustre project>[Lustre Architecture, MDS/MDT roles and metadata/content separation]{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.
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