Chapter 3. Metavariables


Metavariables simplify Ceph Storage Cluster configuration dramatically. When a metavariable is set in a configuration value, Ceph expands the metavariable into a concrete value. Metavariables are very powerful when used within the [global], [osd], [mon] or [client] sections of your configuration file; however, you may also use them with the admin socket. Ceph metavariables are similar to Bash shell expansion.

Ceph supports the following metavariables:

$cluster

Description
Expands to the Ceph Storage Cluster name. Useful when running multiple Ceph Storage Clusters on the same hardware.
Example
/etc/ceph/$cluster.keyring
Default
ceph

$type

Description
Expands to one of osd or mon, depending on the type of the instant daemon.
Example
/var/lib/ceph/$type

$id

Description
Expands to the daemon identifier. For osd.0, this would be 0.
Example
/var/lib/ceph/$type/$cluster-$id

$host

Description
Expands to the host name of the instant daemon.

$name

Description
Expands to $type.$id.
Example
/var/run/ceph/$cluster-$name.asok
Back to top
Red Hat logoGithubredditYoutubeTwitter

Learn

Try, buy, & sell

Communities

About Red Hat Documentation

We help Red Hat users innovate and achieve their goals with our products and services with content they can trust. Explore our recent updates.

Making open source more inclusive

Red Hat is committed to replacing problematic language in our code, documentation, and web properties. For more details, see the Red Hat Blog.

About Red Hat

We deliver hardened solutions that make it easier for enterprises to work across platforms and environments, from the core datacenter to the network edge.

Theme

© 2025 Red Hat