General usage and use cases for the S3 Object Browser

Typical usage

The IBM Storage Ceph S3 Object Browser is used to manage S3 object storage through a graphical user interface instead of command-line tools.

After deployment, you access the S3 Object Browser from a web browser and connect to an S3-compatible endpoint by providing an access key and secret key.

A typical workflow includes:

• Access the S3 Object Browser and connect to the S3 endpoint
• View and manage buckets
• Browse objects within a selected bucket
• Upload, download, and organize objects
• Review object metadata and versions
• Apply lifecycle and data protection settings

Common use cases

The S3 Object Browser supports the following common use cases:

Managing object storage through a user interface

Users can perform common storage operations, such as creating buckets and uploading objects, without using the command line or APIs in IBM Storage Ceph.

Uploading and organizing data

Users can upload files and folders, create logical folder structures, and organize objects within buckets to improve data accessibility.

Reviewing object information

Users can view object metadata and version history to understand the state and history of stored data.

Applying data protection settings

Users can configure versioning, object locking, and legal holds to protect data from accidental deletion or modification.

Managing data lifecycle

Users can define lifecycle rules to automate how objects are retained, transitioned, or expired over time.

When to use the Object Browser

Use the S3 Object Browser when you need a simple, visual way to manage S3 storage for day-to-day operations.

• When you prefer a graphical interface over command-line tools
• When performing exploratory or ad hoc storage tasks
• When managing buckets and objects interactively

For automated workflows or large-scale operations, use programmatic access through S3 APIs or command-line interfaces.