Docker Engine provides cluster management and orchestration features in Swarm mode. Minio server can be easily deployed in distributed mode on Swarm to create a multi-tenant, highly-available and scalable object store.
As of [Docker Engine v1.13.0](https://blog.docker.com/2017/01/whats-new-in-docker-1-13/) (Docker Compose v3.0), Docker Swarm and Compose are [cross-compatible](https://docs.docker.com/compose/compose-file/#version-3). This allows a Compose file to be used as a template to deploy services on Swarm. We have used a Docker Compose file to create distributed Minio setup.
## 1. Prerequisites
* Familiarity with [Swarm mode key concepts](https://docs.docker.com/engine/swarm/key-concepts/).
* Docker engine v1.13.0 running on a cluster of [networked host machines](https://docs.docker.com/engine/swarm/swarm-tutorial/#/three-networked-host-machines).
After the manager is up, [add worker nodes](https://docs.docker.com/engine/swarm/swarm-tutorial/add-nodes/) to the Swarm. Find detailed steps to create the Swarm on [Docker documentation site](https://docs.docker.com/engine/swarm/swarm-tutorial/create-swarm/).
Download the [Docker Compose file](https://github.com/minio/minio/blob/master/docs/orchestration/docker-swarm/docker-compose.yaml?raw=true) on your Swarm master. Then execute the command
This deploys services described in the Compose file as Docker stack `minio_stack`. Look up the `docker stack` [command reference](https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/commandline/stack/) for more info.
After the stack is successfully deployed, you should be able to access Minio server via [Minio Client](https://docs.minio.io/docs/minio-client-complete-guide) `mc` or your browser at http://[Node_Public_IP_Address]:[Expose_Port_on_Host]
## 4. Remove distributed Minio services
Remove the distributed Minio services and related network by
* By default the Docker Compose file uses the Docker image for latest Minio server release. You can change the image tag to pull a specific [Minio Docker image](https://hub.docker.com/r/minio/minio/).
* There are 4 minio distributed instances created by default. You can add more Minio services (up to total 16) to your Minio Swarm deployment. To add a service
* By default the services use `local` volume driver. Refer to [Docker documentation](https://docs.docker.com/compose/compose-file/#/volume-configuration-reference) to explore further options.
* Minio services in the Docker compose file expose ports 9001 to 9004. This allows multiple services to run on a host. Explore other configuration options in [Docker documentation](https://docs.docker.com/compose/compose-file/#/ports).
* Docker Swarm uses ingress load balancing by default. You can configure [external load balancer based](https://docs.docker.com/engine/swarm/ingress/#/configure-an-external-load-balancer) on requirements.
