A cluster file system comprises a front-end file system, a back-end file system, data mover modules arranged between the front-end and back-end file systems, and a quota manager associated with at least a given one of data mover modules. The data mover modules are configured to control archiving of data between the front-end file system and the back-end file system for respective users based at least in part on respective user quotas established by the quota manager and identifying corresponding portions of the back-end file system available to the users. The front-end file system may comprise archive directories configured for respective ones of the users, with the data mover modules being configured to archive a given file from the front-end file system in the back-end file system responsive to a link to that file being stored in a corresponding one of the archive directories of the front-end file system.