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| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +title: Proper Usage and Limitations of Classic Multi-Attach Block Storage in 3AZ Regions |
| 3 | +excerpt: 'Learn how to safely use Classic Multi-Attach Block Storage in 3AZ regions, understand its limitations, and avoid data corruption' |
| 4 | +updated: 2025-05-06 |
| 5 | +flag: hidden |
| 6 | +--- |
| 7 | + |
| 8 | +## Introduction |
| 9 | + |
| 10 | +Classic Multi-Attach 3AZ is a regional multi-zone volume type, available exclusively in Public Cloud regions with three Availability Zones (3AZ). This volume type allows a single volume to be attached simultaneously to multiple instances within the same region, enabling increased resilience and high availability for critical applications. |
| 11 | + |
| 12 | +This feature is designed specifically for active/active or active/passive use cases, where multiple instances need coordinated access to shared data. |
| 13 | + |
| 14 | +To better understand the underlying architecture for multi-zone deployments using regional Block Storage, refer to the following [documentation](/pages/public_cloud/public_cloud_cross_functional/3az_ref_architecture#2az-with-regional-block-storage). |
| 15 | + |
| 16 | +> [!warning] |
| 17 | +> |
| 18 | +> It is the user's responsibility to ensure that a cluster-aware file system is used with Classic Multi-Attach volumes. |
| 19 | +> |
| 20 | +> Failure to do so can result in data corruption. |
| 21 | +> |
| 22 | +> Use only file systems designed for shared access, such as GFS2 or OCFS2. |
| 23 | +> |
| 24 | +> Standard file systems (e.g., XFS, EXT4, NTFS) are not supported unless proper fencing mechanisms are in place. |
| 25 | +> |
| 26 | +
|
| 27 | +## Usage |
| 28 | + |
| 29 | +Creating and attaching a Classic Multi-Attach volume follows the same process as described in the [OVHcloud documentation on volume creation](/pages/public_cloud/compute/starting_with_managing_volumes_openstack_api). The key difference is that the volume type is "classic-multiattach", not just "classic". |
| 30 | + |
| 31 | +If the volume type is omitted during creation, OpenStack will default to "classic-multiattach" (similar to how "classic" is set by default in regular regions). |
| 32 | + |
| 33 | +In the OVHcloud Control Panel, simply select the classic volume available in the 3AZ region. |
| 34 | + |
| 35 | +{.thumbnail} |
| 36 | + |
| 37 | +## Considerations |
| 38 | + |
| 39 | +When working with Classic Multi-Attach in 3AZ regions, the following points should be taken into account: |
| 40 | + |
| 41 | +- Classic 3AZ Multi-Attach volumes can be attached to up to 16 instances simultaneously within the same region. |
| 42 | +- The multi-attach feature is only available with this specific volume type and exclusively in 3AZ regions, such as the Paris region. |
| 43 | +- Using cluster-aware file systems is required, but may result in performance degradation depending on the workload and configuration. |
| 44 | + |
| 45 | +## Limitations |
| 46 | + |
| 47 | +Classic Multi-Attach volumes come with specific limitations that should be considered before deployment: |
| 48 | + |
| 49 | +- Volume retyping is not supported while the volume is in use — switching from a multiattach-capable type to a non-multiattach-capable type (or vice-versa) is not allowed. |
| 50 | +- Encryption is not available for multiattach-capable volumes. |
| 51 | + |
| 52 | +## Go further |
| 53 | + |
| 54 | +Join our [community of users](/links/community). |
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