Build a Local FastDFS Cluster with Nginx and cpolar for Remote File Access

Introduction

FastDFS is an open‑source lightweight distributed file system that manages file storage, synchronization, and access, making it ideal for file‑centric online services such as photo albums and video sites. By deploying FastDFS locally and exposing it via Nginx and cpolar, you can avoid the cost of a public server while still providing internet‑accessible file services.

1. Install FastDFS Locally

1.1 Environment Installation

FastDFS is written in C, so you need the GCC compiler and libevent library.

yum -y install gcc-c++

yum -y install libevent

1.2 Install libfastcommon

libfastcommon provides essential libraries for FastDFS. cd /usr/local Download the release from GitHub:

https://github.com/happyfish100/libfastcommon/releases/tag/V1.0.7

Upload the tarball to /usr/local, then extract and compile:

tar -zxvf libfastcommonV1.0.7.tar.gz
cd libfastcommon-1.0.7/
./make.sh
./make.sh install

Copy the generated library to /usr/lib (FastDFS expects it there):

cp /usr/lib64/libfastcommon.so /usr/lib/

1.3 Install FastDFS

Download FastDFS source (e.g., version 5.05) from SourceForge, upload it to /usr/local, then extract and compile:

tar -zxvf FastDFS_v5.05.tar.gz
cd FastDFS
./make.sh
./make.sh install

Copy the configuration files to /etc/fdfs:

cd conf
cp * /etc/fdfs/

1.4 Configure Tracker

Edit /etc/fdfs/tracker.conf and set the base path: vim /etc/fdfs/tracker.conf Change base_path=/home/yuqing/fastdfs to base_path=/home/fastdfs, then create the directory: mkdir /home/fastdfs Start the tracker and enable it at boot:

/usr/bin/fdfs_trackerd /etc/fdfs/tracker.conf restart

vim /etc/rc.d/rc.local   # add the above command

1.5 Configure Storage

Edit /etc/fdfs/storage.conf: vim /etc/fdfs/storage.conf Set base_path=/home/fastdfs and store_path0=/home/fastdfs/fdfs_storage, then specify the tracker server address (e.g., 192.168.59.133:22122). mkdir /home/fastdfs/fdfs_storage Start the storage daemon and enable it at boot:

/usr/bin/fdfs_storaged /etc/fdfs/storage.conf restart

vim /etc/rc.d/rc.local   # add the above command

1.6 Test Upload/Download

Modify /etc/fdfs/client.conf to match the tracker address and base path:

base_path=/home/fastdfs
tracker_server=192.168.59.133:22122

Upload a test file:

/usr/bin/fdfs_test /etc/fdfs/client.conf upload /usr/local/test23.png

The command returns a file URL, confirming successful upload.

1.7 Integrate FastDFS with Nginx

Download the FastDFS Nginx module source:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/fastdfs/files/FastDFS%20Nginx%20Module%20Source%20Code/fastdfs-nginx-module_v1.16.tar.gz/download

Extract the module and adjust its config file to use /usr/ instead of /usr/local/:

cd /usr/local
tar -zxvf fastdfs-nginx-module_v1.16.tar.gz
cd fastdfs-nginx-module/src
vim config   # edit paths

Copy the generated mod_fastdfs.conf to /etc/fdfs and edit it:

vim /etc/fdfs/mod_fastdfs.conf

base_path=/home/fastdfs
tracker_server=192.168.59.133:22122
url_have_group_name=true
store_path0=/home/fastdfs/fdfs_storage

Copy the client library for Nginx:

cp /usr/lib64/libfdfsclient.so /usr/lib/

1.8 Install Nginx

Install dependencies:

yum -y install pcre pcre-devel
yum -y install zlib zlib-devel
yum -y install openssl openssl-devel

Download Nginx source (e.g., 1.16.1) and compile with the FastDFS module:

tar -zxvf nginx-1.16.1.tar.gz && cd nginx-1.16.1
./configure \
  --prefix=/usr/local/nginx \
  --pid-path=/var/run/nginx/nginx.pid \
  --lock-path=/var/lock/nginx.lock \
  --error-log-path=/var/log/nginx/error.log \
  --http-log-path=/var/log/nginx/access.log \
  --with-http_gzip_static_module \
  --http-client-body-temp-path=/var/temp/nginx/client \
  --add-module=/usr/local/fastdfs-nginx-module/src
make
make install

1.9 Configure Nginx

Edit /usr/local/nginx/conf/nginx.conf and add a server block to handle FastDFS requests:

server {
    listen 8089;   # use a non‑standard port to avoid conflict with port 80
    server_name 192.168.59.133;
    location /group1/M00/ {
        ngx_fastdfs_module;
    }
}

Start Nginx and enable it at boot:

/usr/local/nginx/sbin/nginx
vim /etc/rc.d/rc.local   # add the above command

If Nginx fails because the PID file directory is missing, create it: mkdir /var/run/nginx Disable the firewall to allow external access:

service iptables stop
chkconfig iptables off

2. Test LAN Access

Use the FastDFS test client to upload a file and then open the returned URL in a browser. The image should be displayed, confirming that FastDFS and Nginx are working together.

3. Install cpolar (Internet Tunnel)

Install cpolar with a one‑line script:

curl -L https://www.cpolar.com/static/downloads/install-release-cpolar.sh | sudo bash

Authenticate with your token: cpolar authtoken YOUR_TOKEN Enable and start the cpolar service:

sudo systemctl enable cpolar
sudo systemctl start cpolar

4. Configure Public Access via cpolar

Log in to the cpolar web UI, create an HTTP tunnel that forwards to the Nginx port 8089, and obtain a public URL. Visiting this URL in a browser will reach the FastDFS‑served file.

5. Reserve a Fixed Sub‑Domain

Upgrade to a paid cpolar plan, reserve a second‑level sub‑domain (e.g., fasttest), and bind it to the tunnel. After updating the tunnel configuration, the public address becomes fasttest.cpolar.io (or similar) and remains stable.

6. Verify Fixed Sub‑Domain Access

Open the fixed sub‑domain URL in a browser and confirm that the uploaded image loads, demonstrating permanent remote access without needing a public IP or router configuration.

By following these steps you obtain a fully functional, cost‑effective distributed file storage service that can be accessed from anywhere.