The invention provides a main node management method and apparatus for a distributed file storage system. The method comprises the steps of electing a node of which the ip address is the smallest in cluster nodes as a main mon node in default, and enabling the main mon node to manage other non-main mon nodes in a cluster, wherein when the main mon node breaks down, the main mon node is drifted toa node of which the ip address is the smallest in other nodes in the cluster except for the node which breaks down; and the apparatus includes a main node election module, and a main node drift module, wherein after the system is logged in for a first time or a main node breaks down, a node of which the ip address is the smallest is elected as the main node; and the main node drift module is usedfor sending data communication to the main node and judges whether the main node breaks down or not. The main node can be quickly positioned and accessed, thereby being facilitating the operation of acustomer; and the availability is strong, and the customer demand is met more efficiently.