= Lustre object storage server
A <Lustre object storage server> serves the bulk <file> contents of a <Lustre file system>. It manages one or more object storage targets, which hold stored pieces of <files>. After obtaining layout information through the metadata service, clients communicate with the relevant storage servers to transfer those pieces.<Introduction to Lustre by Lustre project>[Lustre Architecture, OSS/OST roles and client data path]{ref}
For example, a large <file> can distribute alternating stripes across two targets. Clients can transfer different portions in <parallel computing>, increasing aggregate <bandwidth> when the servers and network have capacity. This distribution is not automatically replication: losing one required stripe can make the <file> incomplete. Distinguishing the serving machine from its storage targets also explains why adding another target need not add an independent server's processing or network capacity.
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