Object Storage Explained
Key Concepts
In Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), Object Storage is a scalable and durable storage solution designed for storing large amounts of unstructured data. Understanding Object Storage involves grasping the following key concepts:
- Buckets
- Objects
- Namespaces
- Storage Tiers
- Access Policies
Buckets
A Bucket in OCI Object Storage is a container for storing objects. Buckets are the fundamental units of storage and provide a way to organize and manage your data. Each bucket can contain an unlimited number of objects.
Think of a bucket as a digital filing cabinet. Just as a filing cabinet holds folders and documents, a bucket in Object Storage holds objects (files) and can be organized into different folders (prefixes).
Example: If you are storing customer data, you might create a bucket named "customer-data" to hold all related objects.
Objects
An Object in OCI Object Storage is a file or piece of data that you store in a bucket. Objects can be any type of file, such as images, videos, documents, or backups. Each object is uniquely identified by its key (name) within the bucket.
Consider an object as a single document in a filing cabinet. Each document has a unique name and can be retrieved using that name. Similarly, each object in a bucket has a unique key that identifies it.
Example: If you store a customer profile image, you might name the object "customer-profile-1234.jpg" and place it in the "customer-data" bucket.
Namespaces
A Namespace in OCI Object Storage is a global, unique identifier for your Object Storage resources. Namespaces are used to logically separate different sets of buckets and objects within an OCI tenancy. Each OCI tenancy has a single namespace that is shared across all regions.
Think of a namespace as a unique address for your storage facility. Just as a physical address identifies a specific location, a namespace identifies a specific set of storage resources within OCI.
Example: If your OCI tenancy has the namespace "mycompany", all buckets and objects within your tenancy will be under this namespace.
Storage Tiers
OCI Object Storage offers different storage tiers to optimize cost and performance based on the access patterns of your data. The primary storage tiers are:
- Standard Tier: For frequently accessed data that requires low latency and high throughput.
- Infrequent Access Tier: For data that is accessed less frequently but still requires quick access when needed.
- Archive Tier: For long-term storage of data that is rarely accessed and can tolerate longer retrieval times.
Imagine different storage rooms in a warehouse. The standard room is for frequently used items, the infrequent access room is for items used occasionally, and the archive room is for items stored for long periods and accessed rarely.
Example: If you have log files that are accessed daily, you would store them in the Standard Tier. For old customer records accessed once a year, you might use the Infrequent Access Tier.
Access Policies
Access Policies in OCI Object Storage define who can access your buckets and objects and what actions they can perform. Policies are defined using Identity and Access Management (IAM) and can be applied at the namespace, bucket, or object level.
Think of access policies as security guards at the entrance of a storage facility. They control who can enter, what they can access, and what actions they can perform within the facility.
Example: You can create a policy that allows a specific group of users to read and write objects in the "customer-data" bucket, while restricting access to other buckets.
Understanding and leveraging these concepts in OCI Object Storage allows you to build a scalable, durable, and secure storage solution for your data.