# Supported Stores In order to run NATS Streaming Server in clustered mode, you need to specify a persistent store. At this time you have the choice between `FILE` and `SQL` The NATS Streaming Server stores server meta information and messages to the storage you configure using the `--store` option. However, in clustered mode, we use RAFT for leader election. The raft layer uses its own stores which are currently necessarily file based. The location of the RAFT stores defaults to the current directory under a sub-directory named after the cluster ID, or you can configure it using `--cluster_log_path`. **Important if using a SQL Store:** * There is still a need for storing RAFT data on the file system. * Each node in the cluster needs to have its own "database", that is, no two nodes should share the same tables. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.natsclub.cn/cn/yi-chan/stan/intro/clustering/supported-stores.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.