diff --git a/manila/share/drivers/ibm/gpfs.py b/manila/share/drivers/ibm/gpfs.py
index 485d75ce57..ba3711cc63 100644
--- a/manila/share/drivers/ibm/gpfs.py
+++ b/manila/share/drivers/ibm/gpfs.py
@@ -66,9 +66,9 @@ gpfs_share_opts = [
                default='$state_path/mnt',
                help='Base folder where exported shares are located.'),
     cfg.StrOpt('gpfs_nfs_server_type',
-               default='KNFS',
-               help=('NFS Server type. Valid choices are "KNFS" (kernel NFS) '
-                     'or "CES" (Ganesha NFS).')),
+               default='CES',
+               help=('NFS Server type. Valid choices are "CES" (Ganesha NFS) '
+                     'or "KNFS" (Kernel NFS).')),
     cfg.ListOpt('gpfs_nfs_server_list',
                 help=('A list of the fully qualified NFS server names that '
                       'make up the OpenStack Manila configuration.')),
diff --git a/manila/tests/share/drivers/ibm/test_gpfs.py b/manila/tests/share/drivers/ibm/test_gpfs.py
index 18ca94979d..3048a526d0 100644
--- a/manila/tests/share/drivers/ibm/test_gpfs.py
+++ b/manila/tests/share/drivers/ibm/test_gpfs.py
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ mmcesnfslsexport:nfsexports:HEADER:version:reserved:reserved:Path:Delegations:Cl
 
         self.mock_object(gpfs.os.path, 'exists', mock.Mock(return_value=True))
         self._driver._helpers = {
-            'KNFS': self._helper_fake
+            'CES': self._helper_fake
         }
         self.share = fake_share.fake_share(share_proto='NFS',
                                            host='fakehost@fakehost#GPFS')
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ mmcesnfslsexport:nfsexports:HEADER:version:reserved:reserved:Path:Delegations:Cl
 
     def test_setup_helpers(self):
         self._driver._helpers = {}
-        CONF.set_default('gpfs_share_helpers', ['KNFS=fakenfs'])
+        CONF.set_default('gpfs_share_helpers', ['CES=fakenfs'])
         self.mock_object(gpfs.importutils, 'import_class',
                          mock.Mock(return_value=self._helper_fake))
         self._driver._setup_helpers()
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/gpfs-nfs-server-type-default-value-change-58890adba373737c.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/gpfs-nfs-server-type-default-value-change-58890adba373737c.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c8a61e8b6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/gpfs-nfs-server-type-default-value-change-58890adba373737c.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+other:
+  - |
+    Changing the default value of 'gpfs_nfs_server_type' configuration
+    parameter from KNFS to CES as Spectrum Scale provide NFS service with
+    Ganesha server by default.