diff --git a/src/model/garage.rs b/src/model/garage.rs
index 273690db..863271d5 100644
--- a/src/model/garage.rs
+++ b/src/model/garage.rs
@@ -40,9 +40,6 @@ pub struct Garage {
 	/// The set of background variables that can be viewed/modified at runtime
 	pub bg_vars: vars::BgVars,
 
-	/// The replication factor of this cluster
-	pub replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
-
 	/// The local database
 	pub db: db::Db,
 	/// The membership manager
@@ -143,26 +140,23 @@ impl Garage {
 		.and_then(|x| NetworkKey::from_slice(&x))
 		.ok_or_message("Invalid RPC secret key")?;
 
-		let (replication_factor, consistency_mode) = parse_replication_mode(&config)?;
+		let consistency_mode = ConsistencyMode::parse(&config.consistency_mode)
+			.ok_or_message("Invalid consistency_mode in config file.")?;
 
 		info!("Initialize background variable system...");
 		let mut bg_vars = vars::BgVars::new();
 
 		info!("Initialize membership management system...");
-		let system = System::new(network_key, replication_factor, consistency_mode, &config)?;
+		let system = System::new(network_key, consistency_mode, &config)?;
 
 		let data_rep_param = TableShardedReplication {
-			system: system.clone(),
-			replication_factor: replication_factor.into(),
-			write_quorum: replication_factor.write_quorum(consistency_mode),
-			read_quorum: 1,
+			layout_manager: system.layout_manager.clone(),
+			consistency_mode,
 		};
 
 		let meta_rep_param = TableShardedReplication {
-			system: system.clone(),
-			replication_factor: replication_factor.into(),
-			write_quorum: replication_factor.write_quorum(consistency_mode),
-			read_quorum: replication_factor.read_quorum(consistency_mode),
+			layout_manager: system.layout_manager.clone(),
+			consistency_mode,
 		};
 
 		let control_rep_param = TableFullReplication {
@@ -259,7 +253,6 @@ impl Garage {
 		Ok(Arc::new(Self {
 			config,
 			bg_vars,
-			replication_factor,
 			db,
 			system,
 			block_manager,
diff --git a/src/rpc/layout/helper.rs b/src/rpc/layout/helper.rs
index 3a033ab2..5512bae5 100644
--- a/src/rpc/layout/helper.rs
+++ b/src/rpc/layout/helper.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,6 @@ pub struct SyncLayoutDigest {
 }
 
 pub struct LayoutHelper {
-	replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
 	consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode,
 	layout: Option<LayoutHistory>,
 
@@ -51,7 +50,6 @@ pub struct LayoutHelper {
 
 impl LayoutHelper {
 	pub fn new(
-		replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
 		consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode,
 		mut layout: LayoutHistory,
 		mut ack_lock: HashMap<u64, AtomicUsize>,
@@ -97,8 +95,7 @@ impl LayoutHelper {
 		// consistency on those).
 		// This value is calculated using quorums to allow progress even
 		// if not all nodes have successfully completed a sync.
-		let sync_map_min =
-			layout.calculate_sync_map_min_with_quorum(replication_factor, &all_nongateway_nodes);
+		let sync_map_min = layout.calculate_sync_map_min_with_quorum(&all_nongateway_nodes);
 
 		let trackers_hash = layout.calculate_trackers_hash();
 		let staging_hash = layout.calculate_staging_hash();
@@ -111,7 +108,6 @@ impl LayoutHelper {
 		let is_check_ok = layout.check().is_ok();
 
 		LayoutHelper {
-			replication_factor,
 			consistency_mode,
 			layout: Some(layout),
 			ack_map_min,
@@ -134,7 +130,6 @@ impl LayoutHelper {
 		let changed = f(self.layout.as_mut().unwrap());
 		if changed {
 			*self = Self::new(
-				self.replication_factor,
 				self.consistency_mode,
 				self.layout.take().unwrap(),
 				std::mem::take(&mut self.ack_lock),
diff --git a/src/rpc/layout/history.rs b/src/rpc/layout/history.rs
index af2cbc63..892f2dea 100644
--- a/src/rpc/layout/history.rs
+++ b/src/rpc/layout/history.rs
@@ -9,8 +9,8 @@ use super::*;
 use crate::replication_mode::*;
 
 impl LayoutHistory {
-	pub fn new(replication_factor: ReplicationFactor) -> Self {
-		let version = LayoutVersion::new(replication_factor.into());
+	pub fn new() -> Self {
+		let version = LayoutVersion::new(3);
 
 		let staging = LayoutStaging {
 			parameters: Lww::<LayoutParameters>::new(version.parameters),
@@ -123,11 +123,7 @@ impl LayoutHistory {
 		}
 	}
 
-	pub(crate) fn calculate_sync_map_min_with_quorum(
-		&self,
-		replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
-		all_nongateway_nodes: &[Uuid],
-	) -> u64 {
+	pub(crate) fn calculate_sync_map_min_with_quorum(&self, all_nongateway_nodes: &[Uuid]) -> u64 {
 		// This function calculates the minimum layout version from which
 		// it is safe to read if we want to maintain read-after-write consistency.
 		// In the general case the computation can be a bit expensive so
@@ -139,7 +135,7 @@ impl LayoutHistory {
 			return self.current().version;
 		}
 
-		let quorum = replication_factor.write_quorum(ConsistencyMode::Consistent);
+		let quorum = self.current().write_quorum(ConsistencyMode::Consistent);
 
 		let min_version = self.min_stored();
 		let global_min = self
@@ -153,7 +149,11 @@ impl LayoutHistory {
 		// This is represented by reading from the layout with version
 		// number global_min, the smallest layout version for which all nodes
 		// have completed a sync.
-		if quorum == self.current().replication_factor {
+		if self
+			.versions
+			.iter()
+			.all(|v| v.write_quorum(ConsistencyMode::Consistent) == v.replication_factor)
+		{
 			return global_min;
 		}
 
diff --git a/src/rpc/layout/manager.rs b/src/rpc/layout/manager.rs
index a0dcf50e..89392f49 100644
--- a/src/rpc/layout/manager.rs
+++ b/src/rpc/layout/manager.rs
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@ use crate::system::*;
 
 pub struct LayoutManager {
 	node_id: Uuid,
-	replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
 	persist_cluster_layout: Persister<LayoutHistory>,
 
 	layout: Arc<RwLock<LayoutHelper>>,
@@ -38,38 +37,24 @@ impl LayoutManager {
 		node_id: NodeID,
 		system_endpoint: Arc<Endpoint<SystemRpc, System>>,
 		peering: Arc<PeeringManager>,
-		replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
 		consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode,
 	) -> Result<Arc<Self>, Error> {
 		let persist_cluster_layout: Persister<LayoutHistory> =
 			Persister::new(&config.metadata_dir, "cluster_layout");
 
 		let cluster_layout = match persist_cluster_layout.load() {
-			Ok(x) => {
-				if x.current().replication_factor != replication_factor.replication_factor() {
-					return Err(Error::Message(format!(
-						"Prevous cluster layout has replication factor {}, which is different than the one specified in the config file ({}). The previous cluster layout can be purged, if you know what you are doing, simply by deleting the `cluster_layout` file in your metadata directory.",
-						x.current().replication_factor,
-						replication_factor.replication_factor()
-					)));
-				}
-				x
-			}
+			Ok(x) => x,
 			Err(e) => {
 				info!(
 					"No valid previous cluster layout stored ({}), starting fresh.",
 					e
 				);
-				LayoutHistory::new(replication_factor)
+				LayoutHistory::new()
 			}
 		};
 
-		let mut cluster_layout = LayoutHelper::new(
-			replication_factor,
-			consistency_mode,
-			cluster_layout,
-			Default::default(),
-		);
+		let mut cluster_layout =
+			LayoutHelper::new(consistency_mode, cluster_layout, Default::default());
 		cluster_layout.update_update_trackers(node_id.into());
 
 		let layout = Arc::new(RwLock::new(cluster_layout));
@@ -84,7 +69,6 @@ impl LayoutManager {
 
 		Ok(Arc::new(Self {
 			node_id: node_id.into(),
-			replication_factor,
 			persist_cluster_layout,
 			layout,
 			change_notify,
@@ -298,16 +282,6 @@ impl LayoutManager {
 			adv.update_trackers
 		);
 
-		if adv.current().replication_factor != self.replication_factor.replication_factor() {
-			let msg = format!(
-				"Received a cluster layout from another node with replication factor {}, which is different from what we have in our configuration ({}). Discarding the cluster layout we received.",
-				adv.current().replication_factor,
-				self.replication_factor.replication_factor()
-			);
-			error!("{}", msg);
-			return Err(Error::Message(msg));
-		}
-
 		if let Some(new_layout) = self.merge_layout(adv) {
 			debug!("handle_advertise_cluster_layout: some changes were added to the current stuff");
 
diff --git a/src/rpc/layout/test.rs b/src/rpc/layout/test.rs
index fcbb9dfc..7f91d5ac 100644
--- a/src/rpc/layout/test.rs
+++ b/src/rpc/layout/test.rs
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ use garage_util::crdt::Crdt;
 use garage_util::error::*;
 
 use crate::layout::*;
-use crate::replication_mode::ReplicationFactor;
 
 // This function checks that the partition size S computed is at least better than the
 // one given by a very naive algorithm. To do so, we try to run the naive algorithm
@@ -121,7 +120,7 @@ fn test_assignment() {
 	let mut node_capacity_vec = vec![4000, 1000, 2000];
 	let mut node_zone_vec = vec!["A", "B", "C"];
 
-	let mut cl = LayoutHistory::new(ReplicationFactor::new(3).unwrap());
+	let mut cl = LayoutHistory::new();
 	update_layout(&mut cl, &node_capacity_vec, &node_zone_vec, 3);
 	let v = cl.current().version;
 	let (mut cl, msg) = cl.apply_staged_changes(Some(v + 1)).unwrap();
diff --git a/src/rpc/layout/version.rs b/src/rpc/layout/version.rs
index ee4b2821..2c434eaa 100644
--- a/src/rpc/layout/version.rs
+++ b/src/rpc/layout/version.rs
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ use garage_util::error::*;
 
 use super::graph_algo::*;
 use super::*;
+use crate::replication_mode::ConsistencyMode;
 
 // The Message type will be used to collect information on the algorithm.
 pub type Message = Vec<String>;
@@ -843,4 +844,20 @@ impl LayoutVersion {
 
 		Ok(msg)
 	}
+
+	pub fn read_quorum(&self, consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode) -> usize {
+		match consistency_mode {
+			ConsistencyMode::Dangerous | ConsistencyMode::Degraded => 1,
+			ConsistencyMode::Consistent => self.replication_factor.div_ceil(2),
+		}
+	}
+
+	pub fn write_quorum(&self, consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode) -> usize {
+		match consistency_mode {
+			ConsistencyMode::Dangerous => 1,
+			ConsistencyMode::Degraded | ConsistencyMode::Consistent => {
+				(self.replication_factor + 1) - self.read_quorum(ConsistencyMode::Consistent)
+			}
+		}
+	}
 }
diff --git a/src/rpc/replication_mode.rs b/src/rpc/replication_mode.rs
index a3a94085..520688d2 100644
--- a/src/rpc/replication_mode.rs
+++ b/src/rpc/replication_mode.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,6 @@
-use garage_util::config::Config;
 use garage_util::crdt::AutoCrdt;
-use garage_util::error::*;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-#[serde(transparent)]
-pub struct ReplicationFactor(usize);
-
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq, PartialOrd, Ord, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[serde(rename_all = "lowercase")]
 pub enum ConsistencyMode {
@@ -28,67 +22,3 @@ impl ConsistencyMode {
 impl AutoCrdt for ConsistencyMode {
 	const WARN_IF_DIFFERENT: bool = true;
 }
-
-impl ReplicationFactor {
-	pub fn new(replication_factor: usize) -> Option<Self> {
-		if replication_factor < 1 {
-			None
-		} else {
-			Some(Self(replication_factor))
-		}
-	}
-
-	pub fn replication_factor(&self) -> usize {
-		self.0
-	}
-
-	pub fn read_quorum(&self, consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode) -> usize {
-		match consistency_mode {
-			ConsistencyMode::Dangerous | ConsistencyMode::Degraded => 1,
-			ConsistencyMode::Consistent => self.replication_factor().div_ceil(2),
-		}
-	}
-
-	pub fn write_quorum(&self, consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode) -> usize {
-		match consistency_mode {
-			ConsistencyMode::Dangerous => 1,
-			ConsistencyMode::Degraded | ConsistencyMode::Consistent => {
-				(self.replication_factor() + 1) - self.read_quorum(ConsistencyMode::Consistent)
-			}
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-impl std::convert::From<ReplicationFactor> for usize {
-	fn from(replication_factor: ReplicationFactor) -> usize {
-		replication_factor.0
-	}
-}
-
-pub fn parse_replication_mode(
-	config: &Config,
-) -> Result<(ReplicationFactor, ConsistencyMode), Error> {
-	match (&config.replication_mode, config.replication_factor, config.consistency_mode.as_str()) {
-        (Some(replication_mode), None, "consistent") => {
-            tracing::warn!("Legacy config option replication_mode in use. Please migrate to replication_factor and consistency_mode");
-            let parsed_replication_mode = match replication_mode.as_str() {
-                "1" | "none"  => Some((ReplicationFactor(1), ConsistencyMode::Consistent)),
-                "2"           => Some((ReplicationFactor(2), ConsistencyMode::Consistent)),
-                "2-dangerous" => Some((ReplicationFactor(2), ConsistencyMode::Dangerous)),
-                "3"           => Some((ReplicationFactor(3), ConsistencyMode::Consistent)),
-                "3-degraded"  => Some((ReplicationFactor(3), ConsistencyMode::Degraded)),
-                "3-dangerous" => Some((ReplicationFactor(3), ConsistencyMode::Dangerous)),
-                _ => None,
-            };
-            Some(parsed_replication_mode.ok_or_message("Invalid replication_mode in config file.")?)
-        },
-        (None, Some(replication_factor), consistency_mode) => {
-            let replication_factor = ReplicationFactor::new(replication_factor)
-                .ok_or_message("Invalid replication_factor in config file.")?;
-            let consistency_mode = ConsistencyMode::parse(consistency_mode)
-                .ok_or_message("Invalid consistency_mode in config file.")?;
-            Some((replication_factor, consistency_mode))
-        }
-        _ => None,
-    }.ok_or_message("Either the legacy replication_mode or replication_level and consistency_mode can be set, not both.")
-}
diff --git a/src/rpc/system.rs b/src/rpc/system.rs
index 0e78060b..305e23ad 100644
--- a/src/rpc/system.rs
+++ b/src/rpc/system.rs
@@ -112,8 +112,6 @@ pub struct System {
 
 	metrics: ArcSwapOption<SystemMetrics>,
 
-	pub(crate) replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
-
 	/// Path to metadata directory
 	pub metadata_dir: PathBuf,
 	/// Path to data directory
@@ -125,9 +123,6 @@ pub struct NodeStatus {
 	/// Hostname of the node
 	pub hostname: Option<String>,
 
-	/// Replication factor configured on the node
-	pub replication_factor: usize,
-
 	/// Cluster layout digest
 	pub layout_digest: RpcLayoutDigest,
 
@@ -242,7 +237,6 @@ impl System {
 	/// Create this node's membership manager
 	pub fn new(
 		network_key: NetworkKey,
-		replication_factor: ReplicationFactor,
 		consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode,
 		config: &Config,
 	) -> Result<Arc<Self>, Error> {
@@ -279,11 +273,10 @@ impl System {
 			netapp.id,
 			system_endpoint.clone(),
 			peering.clone(),
-			replication_factor,
 			consistency_mode,
 		)?;
 
-		let mut local_status = NodeStatus::initial(replication_factor, &layout_manager);
+		let mut local_status = NodeStatus::initial(&layout_manager);
 		local_status.update_disk_usage(&config.metadata_dir, &config.data_dir);
 
 		// ---- if enabled, set up additionnal peer discovery methods ----
@@ -314,7 +307,6 @@ impl System {
 			netapp: netapp.clone(),
 			peering: peering.clone(),
 			system_endpoint,
-			replication_factor,
 			rpc_listen_addr: config.rpc_bind_addr,
 			rpc_public_addr,
 			bootstrap_peers: config.bootstrap_peers.clone(),
@@ -429,10 +421,6 @@ impl System {
 	}
 
 	pub fn health(&self) -> ClusterHealth {
-		let quorum = self
-			.replication_factor
-			.write_quorum(ConsistencyMode::Consistent);
-
 		// Gather information about running nodes.
 		// Technically, `nodes` contains currently running nodes, as well
 		// as nodes that this Garage process has been connected to at least
@@ -465,6 +453,7 @@ impl System {
 		// Determine the number of partitions that have:
 		// - a quorum of up nodes for all write sets (i.e. are available)
 		// - for which all nodes in all write sets are up (i.e. are fully healthy)
+		let quorum = layout.current().write_quorum(ConsistencyMode::Consistent);
 		let partitions = layout.current().partitions().collect::<Vec<_>>();
 		let mut partitions_quorum = 0;
 		let mut partitions_all_ok = 0;
@@ -580,13 +569,6 @@ impl System {
 	) -> Result<SystemRpc, Error> {
 		let local_info = self.local_status.read().unwrap();
 
-		if local_info.replication_factor < info.replication_factor {
-			error!("Some node have a higher replication factor ({}) than this one ({}). This is not supported and will lead to data corruption. Shutting down for safety.",
-				info.replication_factor,
-				local_info.replication_factor);
-			std::process::exit(1);
-		}
-
 		self.layout_manager
 			.handle_advertise_status(from, &info.layout_digest);
 
@@ -635,7 +617,7 @@ impl System {
 				.count();
 
 			let not_configured = !self.cluster_layout().is_check_ok();
-			let no_peers = n_connected < self.replication_factor.into();
+			let no_peers = n_connected < self.cluster_layout().current().replication_factor;
 			let expected_n_nodes = self.cluster_layout().all_nodes().len();
 			let bad_peers = n_connected != expected_n_nodes;
 
@@ -781,14 +763,13 @@ impl EndpointHandler<SystemRpc> for System {
 }
 
 impl NodeStatus {
-	fn initial(replication_factor: ReplicationFactor, layout_manager: &LayoutManager) -> Self {
+	fn initial(layout_manager: &LayoutManager) -> Self {
 		NodeStatus {
 			hostname: Some(
 				gethostname::gethostname()
 					.into_string()
 					.unwrap_or_else(|_| "<invalid utf-8>".to_string()),
 			),
-			replication_factor: replication_factor.into(),
 			layout_digest: layout_manager.layout().digest(),
 			meta_disk_avail: None,
 			data_disk_avail: None,
@@ -798,7 +779,6 @@ impl NodeStatus {
 	fn unknown() -> Self {
 		NodeStatus {
 			hostname: None,
-			replication_factor: 0,
 			layout_digest: Default::default(),
 			meta_disk_avail: None,
 			data_disk_avail: None,
diff --git a/src/rpc/system_metrics.rs b/src/rpc/system_metrics.rs
index a64daec8..2f29659f 100644
--- a/src/rpc/system_metrics.rs
+++ b/src/rpc/system_metrics.rs
@@ -65,10 +65,13 @@ impl SystemMetrics {
 				.with_description("Garage build info")
 				.init(),
 			_replication_factor: {
-				let replication_factor = system.replication_factor;
+				let system = system.clone();
 				meter
 					.u64_value_observer("garage_replication_factor", move |observer| {
-						observer.observe(replication_factor.replication_factor() as u64, &[])
+						observer.observe(
+							system.cluster_layout().current().replication_factor as u64,
+							&[],
+						)
 					})
 					.with_description("Garage replication factor setting")
 					.init()
diff --git a/src/table/replication/sharded.rs b/src/table/replication/sharded.rs
index e0245949..787a01f4 100644
--- a/src/table/replication/sharded.rs
+++ b/src/table/replication/sharded.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 use std::sync::Arc;
 
 use garage_rpc::layout::*;
-use garage_rpc::system::System;
+use garage_rpc::replication_mode::ConsistencyMode;
 use garage_util::data::*;
 
+use crate::replication::sharded::manager::LayoutManager;
 use crate::replication::*;
 
 /// Sharded replication schema:
@@ -15,42 +16,43 @@ use crate::replication::*;
 #[derive(Clone)]
 pub struct TableShardedReplication {
 	/// The membership manager of this node
-	pub system: Arc<System>,
-	/// How many time each data should be replicated
-	pub replication_factor: usize,
-	/// How many nodes to contact for a read, should be at most `replication_factor`
-	pub read_quorum: usize,
-	/// How many nodes to contact for a write, should be at most `replication_factor`
-	pub write_quorum: usize,
+	pub layout_manager: Arc<LayoutManager>,
+	pub consistency_mode: ConsistencyMode,
 }
 
 impl TableReplication for TableShardedReplication {
 	type WriteSets = WriteLock<Vec<Vec<Uuid>>>;
 
 	fn storage_nodes(&self, hash: &Hash) -> Vec<Uuid> {
-		self.system.cluster_layout().storage_nodes_of(hash)
+		self.layout_manager.layout().storage_nodes_of(hash)
 	}
 
 	fn read_nodes(&self, hash: &Hash) -> Vec<Uuid> {
-		self.system.cluster_layout().read_nodes_of(hash)
+		self.layout_manager.layout().read_nodes_of(hash)
 	}
 	fn read_quorum(&self) -> usize {
-		self.read_quorum
+		self.layout_manager
+			.layout()
+			.current()
+			.read_quorum(self.consistency_mode)
 	}
 
 	fn write_sets(&self, hash: &Hash) -> Self::WriteSets {
-		self.system.layout_manager.write_sets_of(hash)
+		self.layout_manager.write_sets_of(hash)
 	}
 	fn write_quorum(&self) -> usize {
-		self.write_quorum
+		self.layout_manager
+			.layout()
+			.current()
+			.write_quorum(self.consistency_mode)
 	}
 
 	fn partition_of(&self, hash: &Hash) -> Partition {
-		self.system.cluster_layout().current().partition_of(hash)
+		self.layout_manager.layout().current().partition_of(hash)
 	}
 
 	fn sync_partitions(&self) -> SyncPartitions {
-		let layout = self.system.cluster_layout();
+		let layout = self.layout_manager.layout();
 		let layout_version = layout.ack_map_min();
 
 		let mut partitions = layout
diff --git a/src/util/config.rs b/src/util/config.rs
index 028f8c68..f66eb786 100644
--- a/src/util/config.rs
+++ b/src/util/config.rs
@@ -38,12 +38,6 @@ pub struct Config {
 	)]
 	pub block_size: usize,
 
-	/// Number of replicas. Can be any positive integer, but uneven numbers are more favorable.
-	/// - 1 for single-node clusters, or to disable replication
-	/// - 3 is the recommended and supported setting.
-	#[serde(default)]
-	pub replication_factor: Option<usize>,
-
 	/// Consistency mode for all for requests through this node
 	/// - Degraded -> Disable read quorum
 	/// - Dangerous -> Disable read and write quorum