# Overview Network File Storage ([NFS](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/support/general-information/glossary-of-terms#network-file-system-nfs)) is a fully managed, high-availability shared storage service for your VMs. It provides SSD-backed, encrypted-by-default file storage available over a private network using NFSv4.2, with no data transfer charges between storage and compute. Fine-grained POSIX permissions at file and directory levels let you control access precisely. During cluster creation, you must specify an IP address from your LAN for the cluster. The specified IP address is used as a floating IP address for the two VMs that the Network File Storage uses to provide high availability. As seen in the illustration, you create a cluster within the Network File Storage and create shares within a cluster. Multiple VMs from within a VDC are connected to shares of a Network File Storage's cluster through a private LAN. ![A VDC containing multiple VMs is connected to a Network File Storage's clusters](https://1737632334-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MifAzdGvKLDTtvJP8sm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3591a2b0c1b2a1a8e91090b784838e57fbbbb838%2Fnetwork-file-storage.png?alt=media) Each cluster can contain multiple shares within it. Shares are individual file systems within the storage. For example, you can imagine it as a cluster being a computer and shares are folders within it that are accessed by VMs. An administrator can allow VMs to use specific shares. VMs on the same private network can connect to the Network File Storage's cluster. In addition, data can be accessed simultaneously from multiple compute instances (for example, VMs, and containers) without compromising data consistency. Multiple VMs from within the VDC can access the data simultaneously. IONOS Cloud manages maintenance operations, such as software updates and hardware replacement, by offering redundant, high-availability cluster services. You can also integrate it with Kubernetes clusters to provide persistent storage for containerized workloads. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/backup-and-storage/network-file-storage/overview.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.