Object storage is an efficient way to store and manage large amounts of data for backup and archiving, data analytics, and more.
In an era driven by data, understanding how to store, manage, and leverage your information is imperative. Object storage, also known as object-based storage, is a modern storage architecture that manages data as distinct entities called objects stored in one large pool rather than a hierarchy of files within folders. Each object includes the data itself, a variable amount of metadata, and a globally unique identifier. This type of storage differs from traditional file or block storage systems that manage data as a hierarchy or as fixed-sized blocks of data within a specific storage volume.
According to DataIntelo's market research, the global object storage market was valued at approximately $6.8 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach nearly $25 billion by 2032, reflecting a 15.7% compound annual growth rate driven by cloud adoption and big data analytics demands.
In this article, we'll explain how object storage works, how it differs from file and block storage, its use cases, and how to get started with a cost-effective object storage provider.
In object storage, data is bundled with relevant metadata into objects and stored in a flat organizational structure, often called a storage pool. The extensive metadata, along with the unique identifier, allows each object to be located and accessed directly without the need for a hierarchical path. This method makes object storage highly scalable, easy to manage, and efficient in handling vast amounts of unstructured data, making it a popular choice for cloud storage, big data analytics, and archiving.
The most widely adopted interface for object storage is the S3 API, originally introduced by Amazon S3 and now considered an industry standard. Most object storage providers, including open-source solutions like MinIO, support S3-compatible APIs for seamless integration.
A storage bucket serves as a container for objects (files, images, or any other piece of data). You can think of it as a top-level folder within an object storage framework. However, the data within is stored in a flat structure rather than a traditional hierarchy.
Buckets are globally unique within a storage system, meaning no two buckets can have the same name. This global namespace allows for direct access to an object without needing to know the physical location of the data. As a result, buckets can hold an unlimited number of objects. They can be used to store and manage data effectively, making them a valuable tool for applications that require large-scale, long-term storage.
Object storage, file storage, and block storage are all effective methods of storing data, but they each have distinct characteristics and use cases. While object storage treats data as individual objects with a unique identifier, file storage and block storage follow a location-based structure for data retrieval.
| Feature | Object Storage | File Storage | Block Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Flat (buckets + objects) | Hierarchical (folders) | Fixed-size blocks |
| Metadata | Rich, customizable | Limited (name, date, type) | None |
| Best for | Media, backups, analytics | Documents, shared files | Databases, VMs |
| Scalability | Virtually unlimited | Limited by directory depth | Limited by volume |
File storage manages data as a hierarchy of files in folders. It's similar to the file directory system on a typical computer. Data is organized and accessed based on its location or file path. This organization makes file storage intuitive and well-suited for human-accessible data, shared files, and document-oriented applications. Network-attached storage (NAS) systems commonly use protocols like NFS and SMB for file-based access.
Block storage breaks up data into uniform-sized 'blocks,' each with a unique address. Unlike object storage and file storage, block storage has no metadata describing what the block contains. It's akin to a hard drive in a computer system. Block storage is excellent for low-latency, high-performance use cases like databases or high-transaction applications, as each block can be accessed and modified independently.
In essence, the choice between object, file, and block storage depends on the specific needs of your data environment, including factors like the type of data you're dealing with, performance requirements, and scalability needs. But since this post is all about object storage, let's shine a spotlight on its specific benefits.
Object storage offers several advantages over traditional storage solutions:
Object storage systems typically have lower costs per terabyte compared to traditional storage solutions, making them ideal for storing massive amounts of data. Providers like Telnyx Storage, Backblaze B2, and Wasabi offer S3-compatible solutions at a fraction of legacy cloud pricing.
Object storage systems are designed for high availability, ensuring data remains accessible even in the event of hardware failures or network issues. Most providers replicate data across multiple availability zones or use erasure coding to protect against data loss.
Object storage supports many data types and use cases, including multimedia content, backups, archives, and big data analytics.
Because of its flat architecture, object storage is easily scalable. As long as there are enough devices, the storage size is essentially limitless.
Now that we understand object storage's main benefits, let's explore some of its use cases.
Object storage has gained popularity due to its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and ability to handle vast amounts of unstructured data. Below are some common use cases for object storage.
Object storage is well-suited for storing and delivering large multimedia files, such as images, audio, and video, making it a popular choice for streaming services, content delivery networks, and media libraries.
Object storage's scalability and flat structure make it an ideal solution for long-term storage, including backups and archives. In addition, its ability to store extensive metadata allows for easy indexing and retrieval of data when needed. See how object storage powers modern backup and restore workflows.
Object storage can efficiently store and manage massive datasets generated by big data applications, IoT devices, and data analytics platforms. The associated metadata enables more in-depth data analysis and improves data retrieval efficiency. Platforms in the CNCF cloud-native ecosystem increasingly rely on object storage for data lake architectures.
As a fundamental component of many cloud storage systems, object storage provides a cost-effective and scalable solution for storing and managing data in the cloud. Major providers like Google Cloud Storage and Azure Blob Storage all offer object storage services. As a result, it's often used in both public and private cloud storage scenarios.
In summary, object storage is a versatile and robust data storage solution that addresses the needs of various applications, especially those involving large volumes of unstructured data or requiring easy scalability and efficient data management.
When choosing an object storage solution, it's important to consider the following factors:
Evaluate the performance characteristics of the object storage system, including throughput, latency, and scalability, to ensure it meets your requirements.
Assess the data durability and availability guarantees offered by an object storage provider to ensure your data is protected and accessible when needed.
Ensure the object storage solution provides robust security features, such as encryption, access controls, and auditing, to protect your data from unauthorized access.
Choose an object storage solution that offers user-friendly management interfaces and APIs for seamless integration with your existing applications and services.
Compare the pricing models of different object storage providers, taking into account factors such as storage capacity, data transfer, and API request costs.
Telnyx makes object storage accessible and scalable without breaking the bank. Customers can save up over 70% when switching to Telnyx, and our S3-compatible API makes migrating a breeze. We boast 99.999999999% (11 9's) of data durability as well as data encryption for security. Build on the next generation of storage technology with Telnyx!
Contact a member of our team to learn more. Or start storing objects on Telnyx Storage in just a few simple steps by creating a free Mission Control Portal account.
Have object storage questions or tips? Join our subreddit community: r/Telnyx
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| HTTP/REST API |
| File path |
| Block address |
| Latency | Higher (eventual consistency) | Medium | Lowest |
| Cost | Lowest per TB | Medium | Highest |
