Object Storage
In computer science, "object" refers to binary data, often known as a Binary Large OBject (BLOB). BLOBs can encompass images, audio files, spreadsheets, and even binary executable code.
Object storage refers to a platform that provides specialized tools for storing, retrieving, and locating BLOBs. In terms of practical applications, it is a type of data storage architecture designed for large amounts of unstructured data, such as videos, audio files, images, and documents. It organizes objects into buckets, similar to folders in a file system, with each bucket able to hold an unlimited number of objects. Unlike traditional file and block storage, object storage does not utilize a hierarchical file system. Instead, it has a flat address space, where data is stored as objects containing raw data, metadata, and a unique identifier.
Object storage is superior to block and file storage in several ways:
- Security: object storage provides higher levels of data durability by replicating data across multiple nodes and storing it in a flat address space, minimizing the risk of data loss in the event of a node failure.
- Scalability: object storage is designed to handle large amounts of unstructured data in a high-performance manner, making it ideal for storing and accessing vast quantities of files, images, videos, and other data types.
- Cost-effectiveness: object storage eliminates the need for expensive data tiering, making it more cost-effective than traditional file and block storage.
File storage vs block storage vs object storage
Data storage methods have progressed over the years to adapt to the changing nature of data. File-based and block-based storage are well-suited to structured data, but as organizations face increasing volumes of unstructured data, object-based storage has emerged as the superior solution.
File storage organizes data within folders and is based on a hierarchy of directories and subdirectories. It works well for small, easily organized data, but as the number of files grows, it becomes cumbersome and time-consuming.
Block storage breaks down a file into equally-sized blocks and stores them separately, offering improved efficiency and performance for critical business applications and transactional databases.
Object storage, on the other hand, treats objects as discrete units of data stored in a structurally flat environment, with each object including raw data, metadata, and a unique identifier. It offers cost-effective storage capacity for unstructured data and is ideal for data that does not change frequently or at all. Additionally, it provides more descriptive metadata than file storage, allowing for customization and further analysis.
Cubbit DS3
Cubbit DS3, short for Distributed Simple Storage Storage, is a geo-distributed, S3-compatible object storage platform. Its buckets have comparable functionality to AWS S3 buckets, providing reliable and scalable storage solutions for unstructured data. Additionally, the geo-distributed nature of Cubbit DS3 solution provides users with enhanced security and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional centralized cloud storage solutions.
Being S3 compatible, Cubbit can offer state-of-the-art solutions for data protection, distribution, and retrieval, such as:
Use cases
Backup
Cubbit DS3 is the ideal solution for organizations looking to automate their off-site backups in a fast, secure, and immutable manner. The platform is compatible with Veeam or any S3 client, making it easy to store your backups on Cubbit and protect your data from disaster. With its advanced data management features, users can easily retrieve their data as needed cost-effectively, taking advantage of Cubbit S3 compatibility. The geo-distributed network infrastructure of Cubbit provides scalable storage for large amounts of data without sacrificing performance. Data security is a top priority, with multi-layered encryption and robust disaster recovery options ensuring that your data is always protected.
Hybrid Cloud
With Cubbit DS3 and the right hybrid cloud strategy, you can virtually extend your NAS and virtual machines without disrupting your workflow ensuring quick recovery of your cold backups while collaborating locally in a secure manner. Whether you're dealing with massive data sets or demanding applications, Cubbit DS3 can help you execute a simple, secure, and high-performance hybrid cloud strategy while breaking free from bandwidth limitations.
Cloud-to-cloud
With Cubbit DS3, you can automate your scripting processes, effortlessly migrate massive amounts of data, and stay compliant with regulations using Cubbit DS3. With a simple change of endpoint and connection to Cubbit via rclone/AWS CLI, you can implement a multi-cloud strategy, diversify your risk, and provide your customers with a secure exit plan that meets GDPR requirements.
Hybrid Backup
With two-way synchronization between your NAS and object storage, Cubbit DS3 lets you schedule backup jobs and safeguard your data against potential threats such as ransomware and natural disasters. By utilizing deduplication technology, you can also compress your data, minimize bandwidth usage, and shorten transfer times. Implementing a comprehensive backup plan gives you peace of mind, knowing that your data is secure and easily accessible in case of an emergency.
Build cloud-native applications
With Cubbit DS3 APIs, you can streamline your app development process and focus on building without worrying about data storage. Cubbit DS3 can serve as a persistent data store for building or transitioning to cloud-native applications, providing you with a highly scalable, flexible, and cost-effective solution. Simply change your endpoint and deploy it on Cubbit’s S3-compatible object storage for immediate results.
Rich media storage and delivery
Cubbit DS3 is designed to be highly cost-effective for storing and distributing large and rich media files, such as music, video, images, and more complex multimedia objects. With its powerful global distribution capabilities, organizations can quickly and easily distribute their media content to a global audience, reducing costs and improving user experience. Cubbit DS3 is perfect for media organizations with rapidly growing data storage needs, as it ensures that their storage solutions will keep pace with their business requirements.
Big data analytics
Cubbit DS3 can be used to store large amounts of any data type, including big data. With S3-compatible third-party apps, organizations can execute big data analysis and gain valuable insights into customer behavior, operations, and market trends. The data can be stored in its raw form, allowing for flexibility in analyzing it and deriving meaningful insights. This can help organizations make more informed decisions and drive growth, without having to worry about the limitations of traditional storage systems.
Internet of Things
Cubbit DS3 is designed to handle large amounts of machine-to-machine data efficiently and cost-effectively. Since Cubbit DS3 is S3 compatible, it can be leveraged through third-party apps to support artificial intelligence and advanced analytics applications to turn data generated by IoT devices into actionable insights. With Cubbit DS3, IoT-first organizations can streamline their data management processes, reduce costs, and improve the accuracy of their data.