S3 Alternatives
If you’re using or evaluating AWS S3 for cloud storage, OpenMetal provides open source S3 Alternatives via Ceph Storage that can deliver better performance and cost savings.
Looking for S3 Alternatives? Try Ceph.
Ceph storage is an open source storage platform that can be a powerful alternative to the core services of Amazon S3 because of its ability to encompass block storage, object storage, NFS and all in one service.
Compare S3 to Ceph Storage
Know your options by reviewing the key differences between S3 and Ceph.
Add Advantages With Ceph
Learn the key advantages that Ceph can offer over traditional storage solutions.
Reduce Current Storage Costs
Understand how Ceph delivers significant cost savings over traditional storage.
Defining S3
Is S3 an AWS service or a web protocol?
S3 is generally known in the market as a brand for Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3). But it is important to note that many technical engineers use the term “S3” as a generic web protocol term for interfacing with object storage. For the purpose of this page, we will refer to S3 as the AWS service.
Comparing AWS S3 to Ceph Storage
It is important to understand your cloud storage options and what they include. Two of the most popular options available include AWS S3 and Ceph storage, which is included as a standard in OpenMetal Cloud Cores. Both represent reliable and scalable options for your data. But they do have differences worth noting.
| Attributes | AWS S3 | Ceph Storage On OpenMetal |
|---|---|---|
| Proprietary vs Open | Amazon S3 is primarily a proprietary public object storage solution available only on Amazon commercial public cloud (AWS). | Ceph storage is an open source software product that can be easily included as a part of an OpenMetal hosted private cloud solution. And because it is open source, there are minimal risks of vendor lock-in. |
| Compatibility | Amazon S3 is primarily designed for easy integration with other AWS services. It does, however, offers compatibilities with multiple storage devices. | Ceph storage on OpenMetal offers compatibility with multiple storage options including AWS S3 Object storage via an interface that works with the Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) RESTful API. |
| Scalability | Amazon S3 is know for being highly scalable by simply adding additional storage resources when in demand. | Ceph storage scales horizontally to ease the expansion of storage capacity by simply adding more nodes. |
| Hardware Management | Amazon S3 is a managed storage solution on a multi-tenant infrastructure maintained and updated by AWS that offers limited access and user controls. | Ceph storage is a fully managed storage solution on a single tenant infrastructure maintained and updated by OpenMetal. Users on OpenMetal have root access to hardware to customize and optimize settings to meet specific storage configurations. NOTE: deployed and day 2 ready and you can decide if you want to manage or get assisted management. |
| Backup/Uptime | Amazon S3 offers automatic data syncing and some backup options. | Ceph storage offers data replication and high availability for maximum uptime. |
For a detailed assessment of your specific cloud storage needs, schedule a complimentary cloud consultation.
Learn About Our Storage Clusters
All OpenMetal clouds come with Ceph-based block and object storage supplied by the Cloud Core. But, for disk space intensive needs like large-scale S3 compatible object storage, we recommend standalone storage clusters. Visit our Product Page
Advantages of Ceph Storage on OpenMetal
Ceph storage is designed to allow object, block, and file storages from a unified system. This why it has become such a popular and effective option for private cloud environments and as an S3 alternative.
Historically this may have been a deterrent to customers that need the speed of public cloud. But OpenMetal Cloud Cores are single-tenant bare metal servers, which means that it is a private cloud that gives you more control over your infrastructure and costs.
But because you can rapidly deploy OpenMetal Cloud Cores in less than a minute, you gain the maximum advantage of Ceph storage without compromising the usability and convenience of public clouds.
Ceph storage advantages include:
| Advantages | Ceph Storage On OpenMetal |
|---|---|
| No Vendor Lock-In | Ceph storage is an open source, software-defined storage solution that requires no dependencies on proprietary hardware or software common with traditional storage solutions. This allows the storage to be more easily customized for performance and cost efficiencies, while minimizing vendor lock-in risks. |
| Scalability | Ceph storage is designed to be highly scalable. It strengthens and eases private cloud accommodations for growing storage needs. It is even more ideal in the case of businesses that need to store large amounts of data and want to avoid costly downtime or system crashes associated with traditional storage systems. |
| Fault Tolerance and Redundancy | Ceph storage is ideal for greater fault tolerance. Ceph storage allows data to be stored across multiple nodes, which means that if one node fails, the data can be recovered easily from another node, ensuring that data is always available when needed. By default, the Ceph Storage on OpenMetal is configured to provide block storage that is backed by a triplicate copy of your data. |
| Storage Integration | Ceph storage supports the flexibility for businesses to expand or upgrade their storage in different ways by enabling integrations with existing storage systems. This allows businesses to take advantage of the advanced functionality and flexibility of Ceph, without the need for a complete overhaul of their current storage environment. |
| Cost-Effective | As an open source software solution, Ceph helps businesses to avoid expensive licensing fees. But more so, when combined with the inherent OpenMetal cost efficiencies of lower bandwidth, tiered hardware, options, etc. Ceph storage on OpenMetal quickly becomes an attractive consideration when looking at S3 alternatives. |
For a detailed assessment of your specific cloud storage needs, schedule a complimentary cloud consultation.
How OpenMetal Delivers S3 Alternatives
OpenMetal implements a RADOS Object Gateway, which is where storage objects live, to translate data via a protocol into OpenStack Swift that utilizes your key and gives S3-style authentication. This allows OpenStack (via Swift) to provide the same functionalities in OpenStack that S3 delivers on AWS…not only operating like S3, but allowing it to actually replace S3.
Reduce Storage Costs With S3 Alternative, Ceph
Ceph storage system offers numerous advantages over traditional storage solutions. But the advantages of scalability, open source model, and hardware compatibilities ultimately result in significant cost advantages, strengthened even further when hosted on OpenMetal Cloud Cores. Therefore, Ceph is a compelling choice when searching for S3 alternatives.
Avoid Costly Upgrades
When you need more storage capacity, Ceph on OpenMetal allows you to easily deploy another server to your Cloud Core without the costly hardware upgrades associated with traditional storage. This allows you to scale your storage capacity up or down as your storage capacity demands change.
Prevent Lock-In
The open source nature of Ceph avoids common costs associated with vendor lock-in and proprietary software solutions. This minimizes dependencies on brand hardware or software costs, while creating advantages from a community of developers continually working to improve the software.
Minimize Egress
Ceph storage on OpenMetal Cloud Cores is hosted on bare metal servers typically deployed and operating with close proximity of one another. This not only speeds performance, but reduces bandwidth needs between the compute and storage to significantly reduce egress costs.
For a detailed assessment of your specific cloud storage needs, schedule a complimentary cloud consultation.
Looking for More Info on Ceph Storage?
If you would like more information on Ceph storage and why it should be considered when looking for S3 alternatives, we recommend that you visit some of these featured articles and resources:
