By implementing the S3 protocol, OneFS enhances its data-lake capability by supporting both the traditional NAS protocol and object storage protocol. You can unify your file and object data access in a single storage namespace. The S3 protocol on a OneFS cluster provides following benefits:
- Consolidate storage for applications regardless of data-access protocols
- Store data with the S3 protocol and then seamlessly access the data as files with SMB, NFS, HTTPS, FTP, and HDFS
- Store files with SMB, NFS, and other protocols and then access the files as objects through the S3 protocol
- Eliminate data migration when a same set of data is accessed through NAS protocols and the S3 protocol
- Multitenancy support for better storage-as-a-service abilities through S3
- Increased return on investment for the OneFS cluster by supporting object access
As the Figure 2 shows, OneFS seamless interoperates between file-based and object-based data access in a single NAS platform for various workloads.
Figure 2. Access data as file and object in a single storage
OneFS can now extend its use cases with the benefits of OneFS S3. The following list includes general use cases for OneFS S3:
- Back up and archive: It is possible to make OneFS as an ideal target for S3-compatible data backup and archive software.
- File service: Data access for files and data access for objects are easily consolidated in a single scale-out storage. This provides faster service than cloud and more cost-effective service than traditional NAS platforms.
- Enhanced multiprotocol data access: The data in a OneFS cluster can be accessed as files or objects.