IOStack

IOStack is an open, modular software stack that provides an input/output abstraction layer for data-intensive environments. It enables unified access to multiple storage backends, including object stores, file systems, and block devices, through a common API and policy-driven routing.

The architecture consists of a core I/O engine that routes requests through backend drivers, a policy and orchestration layer that makes placement and caching decisions, and optional components such as a metadata service, a cache layer, and data-protection features. Drivers enable pluggable backends; the system can be extended with new backends and protocols without changing the core.

IOStack supports multi-protocol access, data locality, caching, and data integrity mechanisms. It emphasizes modularity, observability, and interoperability with existing storage ecosystems. Some deployments emphasize performance optimization for cloud-scale workloads, while others focus on research environments requiring flexible data movement between on-premises and public cloud.

Use cases include multi-cloud storage management, data-intensive analytics, high-performance computing workflows, and disaster recovery testing. It is typically deployed as part of a software-defined storage strategy, enabling operators to consolidate I/O control and policy across heterogeneous storage assets.

IOStack is maintained by an open-source community under a permissive license with governance that includes core developers and community contributors. The project maintains documentation, issue trackers, and contribution guidelines to facilitate collaboration.