Choices: four storage class tiers and a policy-based archive
IBM Cloud Object Storage is a highly scalable, durable and resilient cloud storage service. It offers four storage class tiers along with a policy-based archive capability, so that you can meet your workload performance needs while managing your storage costs most effectively. These include:
Storage class tiers
Standard: active workloads
The Standard storage tier is used for active workloads that require high performance and low latency and where data needs to be accessed frequently (multiple times a month). There is no charge for data retrieved (other than the cost of the operational request itself and public outbound bandwidth). Common use cases include streaming mobile and web content, DevOps, analytics, collaboration and active content repositories.
Vault: less active workloads
The Vault storage tier is used for less active workloads that require infrequent data access (accessed once a month or less), but that require immediate, real-time access when needed. A low retrieval charge applies for reading data. Vault offers the same high durability, high throughput and low latency of the Standard class tier. Vault includes a threshold for object size and storage period consistent with the intended use of this service for cooler, less active data. Common use cases include backup and digital asset retention.
Cold Vault: cold workloads
The Cold Vault storage class tier is used for cold workloads where data is primarily archived (accessed a few times a year) but requires immediate, real-time access when needed. A larger retrieval charge applies for reading data. Cold Vault includes a threshold for object size and storage period consistent with the intended use of this service to store cold, inactive data. Common use cases include long-term backup, large data set preservation such as scientific data, or older media content that needs to be stored cost effectively but requires fast access when needed.
Flex: dynamic workloads
The Flex storage class tier is used for dynamic workloads (mix of hot and cold workloads) where access patterns are more difficult to predict. Flex offers a low price to store the data with a retrieval charge based on access patterns. Depending on usage, if the lower price of cooler storage combined with retrieval charges exceeds a cap value, then the storage price increases, and no retrieval charges apply. Common use cases include cloud-native analytics and cognitive workloads and user-generated apps.
Automatically tier data to the lowest-cost archive
The IBM Cloud Object Storage policy-based archive is the lowest-cost option for data that is rarely accessed and requires long-term retention. Customers can manage their data lifecycle by applying an archive policy for objects written to their object storage buckets in any of the storage class tiers (Standard, Vault, Cold Vault, Flex). After the specified duration, objects are archived. Once archived, customers can restore a temporary copy of their objects for access when needed. Restore time may take up to 12 hours. The archive is priced at USD 0.002/GB per month for data storage and USD 0.02/GB for data restore. The archive service is designed to maintain the same high security, availability, durability and scalability as other IBM Cloud Object Storage class tiers.
Archive benefits
Lowest cost
Archive is the lowest-cost option (data storage at USD 0.00099/GB/month and restores at USD 0.02/GB), ideal for long-term retention of large data sets such as regulatory and compliance records, large data set preservation and long term storage of backups.
Data transition using archive policy
Archive works with all IBM Cloud Object Storage Classes — Smart Tier, Standard, Vault and Cold Vault — allowing you to apply age-based policies to move objects to the lower-cost archive to reduce storage costs even further. Once archived, you can restore a temporary copy of the objects for access when needed (restore time may take up to 12 hours).
Simplified API
You can use the IBM Cloud Object Storage API — with support for S3 API constructs — for transition lifecycle and restore. You can also write your own applications using IBM Cloud Object Storage SDKs.
Compare IBM Cloud Object Storage class tiers and archives
Select the right option for your workload performance and data access needs and effectively manage store costs. ** Supports transition of data to archive using archive policy.
Standard
Vault
Cold Vault
Flex
Archive
Supported workloads
Most active high performance workloads (daily access)
Less frequently used workloads (monthly access)
Nearline data that's rarely used
(annual accessData use not predictable (varying access)
Data stored for long-term retention (rare access)
Workload use case examples
Streaming mobile and web content
Digital asset retention and backup
Backup, disaster recovery or older content
Cloud-native and cognitive applications
Compliance and archival data, tape replacement
Resiliency choices (cross region, regional and single site)
All
All
All
All
Regional
Retrieval/
Restore feeNo charge for retrieval
per GB
per GB
per GB
per GB
Transition to archive**
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
* Pricing based on US regional offering.
* Learn more about IBM Cloud Object Storage pricing