Block storage volumes
Updated
Block storage on Wolkra gives your servers extra disk space as volumes from 10 GB to 10 TB that you attach, detach and grow while the server keeps running. Volumes live in Frankfurt, Germany, next to your servers, and you pay per GB per month.
What a volume is
A volume is a network block device that appears inside your server as an additional disk. It is separate from the server's own boot disk, so its life cycle is separate too: delete or rebuild a server and the volume stays, ready to be attached somewhere else.
That separation is useful whenever data should outlive the machine that uses it. Database files, uploads, media libraries, build caches and Docker volumes are all good fits.
Features
- Sizes from 10 GB to 10 TB in one volume
- Attach and detach at any time to servers in the same location
- Grow online without stopping the server, then extend the file system
- Formatted and mounted for you if you choose, with a file system ready to use
- Raw mode for people who want their own partitioning, LVM or encryption
- Labels to keep track of which volume belongs to which service
How it works in the console
- Open Volumes in your project and choose Create volume.
- Set the size and pick the server to attach it to, or leave it unattached.
- Choose whether Wolkra should format and mount it automatically.
- The volume shows up on the server as a new disk. With automatic mounting, it is already mounted and listed in the server's mount table.
To grow a volume, enter the new size. The extra space is available to the server right away; extend the partition or file system to use it. The volumes doc shows the commands for common file systems.
Using volumes through the API
Volumes have their own resources in the Wolkra API. You can create a volume, attach it to a server, resize it and detach it from scripts or deployment pipelines with a project-scoped API token. This is handy when you rebuild servers often and want the data disk to follow the new machine.
Typical uses
- Databases: keep data files on a volume so you can resize or replace the server freely. See databases.
- Docker data: mount a volume for named volumes and images in Docker hosting.
- WordPress and media: store uploads separately from the web server in WordPress hosting.
- Self-hosted files: photo libraries, file sync and archives in self-hosting.
- CI caches: keep dependency caches between runner rebuilds in CI runners.
Pricing basis
Block storage is billed per GB per month for the size you provision. Like everything on Wolkra, it is charged per started hour from your prepaid balance and capped at the monthly price, so a volume you keep for two days costs two days. There are no setup fees. Current per-GB prices are on the pricing page.
Limits to know
- A volume is between 10 GB and 10 TB.
- Volumes grow but never shrink.
- A volume is attached to one server at a time.
- Volumes and servers must be in the same location. Today that is Frankfurt.
- A volume is not a backup. If you need restore points, use backups and snapshots and read the backup strategy guide.
Volumes, boot disks and backups compared
| Boot disk | Volume | Backup | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comes with the server | Yes | No, added separately | No, enabled per server |
| Survives server deletion | No | Yes | Until removed |
| Can move between servers | No | Yes | Restore to the server |
| Grows | With a plan resize | Online, any time | Not applicable |
Related products
- Cloud servers to attach volumes to
- Backups and snapshots for restore points
- Composer to add volumes to a stack and see the monthly cost first
- Private networks to keep storage servers off the internet
Add storage to your servers
Create a volume in a few clicks and grow it as your data grows. Sign up for Wolkra and add block storage in Frankfurt today.
Frequently asked questions
How big can a Wolkra volume be?
A volume can be anywhere from 10 GB to 10 TB. You can start small and grow it later without taking the server offline.
How is block storage billed?
Volumes are billed per GB per month, charged by the hour from your prepaid balance and capped at the monthly price. You pay for the size you set, whether or not it is full.
Can I move a volume to another server?
Yes. Detach the volume from one server and attach it to another server in the same location. The data on it stays as it is.
Can I make a volume smaller?
No. Volumes can grow but cannot shrink. If you need a smaller volume, create a new one and copy the data across.
Do I have to format a new volume myself?
Not unless you want to. When you create a volume you can have it formatted and mounted for you, or leave it raw and partition it yourself.