IONOS Simple Storage Service (S3) Object Storage is a secure, scalable storage solution that offers high data availability and performance. The product adheres to the S3 API standards, enabling the storage of vast amounts of unstructured data and seamless integration into S3-compatible applications and infrastructures.
Unlike traditional hierarchical systems like block storage volumes or disk file systems, Object Storage utilizes a flat structure that is ideal for storing large chunks of unstructured, static data that you want to keep ‘as is’ for later access. Businesses of all sizes can use IONOS S3 Object Storage to store files (objects) for varied Use Cases.
The IONOS S3 Object Storage service is available in the following locations:
| Data Center | S3 Region |
|---|---|
For the list of available points of access, see S3 Endpoints.
In IONOS S3 Object Storage, the data that you want to store in the Object Storage is called Objects. The data types could be archives, backups, log files, documents, images, and media assets. Each object is allocated a unique URL for direct access. Further, you can group these objects within a folder to help organize and manage these objects within a bucket. For more information, see Objects and Folders.
To upload objects into the Object Storage, you need to first create containers known as Buckets by choosing the S3 region and a unique bucket name. The objects are stored in these buckets which are accompanied by rich metadata. For more information, see Buckets.
On creating the first bucket, a key is generated if it does not exist already. A key is a unique identifier to access buckets and objects. This key is a combination of Access Key and Secret Key which is listed in the Key Management section. Each object in the bucket has exactly one key. For more information, see Key Management.
Based on access permissions, buckets, and objects can be publicly accessible or kept private and shared with only intended users. Use the bucket and object Access Control List (ACL) setting and S3 Endpoints to manage access.
The illustration summarizes the core components of Object Storage and the functional benefits businesses can attain with Object Storage. Important use cases where Object Storage is of benefit to enterprises are highlighted here. For more information, see Features and Benefits, Use Cases.
The following are a few limitations to consider while using IONOS S3 Object Storage:
Access Keys: A user can have up to 5 Access Keys.
Storage size: The minimum storage size available is 1 Byte of data and is extendable to a maximum storage of petabytes.
Bucket count: A user can create a maximum of 500 buckets only.
Object size: The maximum allowed object size is 46.566 GB.
File upload size: A file upload size cannot exceed 4,65 GB. If you have a single file exceeding this limit, you can bypass it using multi-part uploads. Command-line tools such as and graphical tools such as automatically handle larger files by breaking them into parts during uploading.
Bucket naming conventions: Only buckets for static website hosting can use dots (.) in the bucket names. For more information, see .
Object name length: The maximum allowed length of the folder path, including the file name, is 1024 characters.
Bandwidth: Each connection is theoretically capped at approximately 10G per region. However, remember that this is a shared environment. Based on our operational data, achieving peak loads up to 2x7 G is feasible by leveraging parallel connections, although this is on a best-effort basis and without any guaranteed Service Level Agreement (SLA).
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Berlin, Germany
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Logroño, Spain
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The pricing model for IONOS S3 Object Storage is as follows:
1 Gigabyte (GB) is equal to 1024 Megabytes (MB).
Storage space is charged per GB per hour.
Data transfer is charged in GB. Outbound data transfer is paid, except for replication traffic. Inbound data transfer is free, but it will be counted as outbound data transfer for your virtual machine if you upload data from it.
Using the IONOS S3 Object Storage API is free of charge.
Prices are listed in the respective price lists:
IONOS Ltd. – United Kingdom.
IONOS Inc. – United States and Canada.
All outbound data transfer from IONOS S3 Object Storage is billed as public traffic. The local and national traffic definitions do not apply. This includes outgoing data transfer to IONOS Virtual Machines (VMs) or dedicated servers regardless of their geographical location.
While inter-bucket data transfer is subject to charges, replication traffic both within the same region and across different regions is cost-free.
The cost per GB for outbound data transfer is contingent upon the cumulative data consumption of the account. A tiered pricing structure is implemented for all outbound traffic, including data transfer from VMs and IONOS S3 Object Storage.
No charges are imposed on inbound data transfer to IONOS S3 Object Storage. It is essential to know that when uploading data to IONOS S3 Object Storage, the same data transfer may be billed as an outbound data transfer for your VM. While calculating network costs for data transfer from a VM to IONOS S3 Object Storage, the following distinctions are made between local, national, and public traffic:
Data transfer from a VM to IONOS S3 Object Storage within the confines of the same data center is billed as local traffic.
Data transfer from a VM to IONOS S3 Object Storage located in the same country but at a different data center is billed as national traffic.
Data transfer from a VM to IONOS S3 Object Storage in a data center in a different country is billed as public traffic.
Based on IONOS S3 Object Storage features and benefits, the following use cases are derived that meets your business demands:
Data Backup and Restore: IONOS S3 Object Storage backs up critical databases and data with ease. With replication and resilience features along with versioning of buckets, the data security and access are enhanced.
Website Asset Storage: You can store specific website assets like images or downloadable files on Object Storage even if you do not host the whole site, helping in cost-saving and server space optimization.
Static Website Hosting: Utilize Object Storage for hosting static websites that load quickly as Object Storage does not require server-side processing.
Multimedia Asset Hosting: Storing static multimedia files like images, videos, audio, and documents, which seldom change, is easier in IONOS S3 Object Storage and does not need block storage volumes. With a dedicated URL to each of these objects, you can easily embed or host these assets on a Static Website without the need for a server.
Private File Storage: Safely store private data with default settings, making objects inaccessible through regular HTTP. You get the flexibility to modify object access permissions whenever needed.
Storing Unstructured Data: With a flat data structure, it is ideal for storing and managing large datasets outside of traditional databases. You can customize the metadata of objects to classify and retrieve data such as images, videos, audio, documents, and Big Data more efficiently.
Artifact Storage: Storing and sharing development artifacts such as log data via Object Storage URL is an ideal solution for developers. Using access keys, you can safely share artifacts with intended users only. Developers can also store software applications as objects in the Object Storage.
Software Hosting and Distribution: Developers can upload software applications as objects in the buckets and easily provide access to their software via unique URLs, making it a go-to solution for hosting and distributing software.
Periodic Data Retention: For periodic logs that need to be accessed only for a certain period and be removed after a specific duration, Object Storage Lifecycle Rules make it possible to retain data and delete data objects on the specified data expiration date; thus ideal for periodic data storage.
S3 Compatible: Object Storage adheres to the industry-standard S3 protocol, ensuring seamless integration with S3 Tools and applications designed for S3-compatible platforms. For more information, see S3 API Compatibility.
Data Management: The data storage pool comprising of objects and buckets in a flat data environment is well manageable with the following data management functions:
Replication: Safeguards your data by duplicating it across multiple locations, providing redundancy and ensuring high availability.
Versioning: Tracks and manages multiple versions of an object, enabling easy rollback of objects and buckets to the previous states and preserving historical versions of objects and buckets.
Lifecycle: Archives or deletes objects based on predefined criteria, optimizing costs and managing data efficiently.
Object Lock: Secures your data by implementing retention policies or legal holds, ensuring that data objects remain immutable for a specified duration or indefinitely. This way, the data meets the Write Once Read Many (WORM) data storage technology and prevents the data from being erased or modified.
Access Management: The following functions allow users to set access permissions to other Object Storage users, defining who can access their objects and buckets.
Access Control List (ACL): A granular permissions for objects and buckets, controlling who can access and modify your data.
Bucket Policy: You can set overarching access policies for a bucket that provides additional security and control over how data is accessed and used.
Logging: Monitors and records access requests to your objects and buckets, providing a clear audit trail and helping identify suspicious activities.
Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS): Defines rules for client web applications from different domains to access the data resources stored in your buckets.
Public Access: The data in the IONOS S3 Object Storage are well managed by allowing or blocking access permissions to be public access wherever needed with the following functions:
Block Public Access: Ensures data privacy by blocking all public access at the bucket or account level.
Static Website Hosting: Using Object Storage, you can host static websites directly, eliminating the need for additional web servers, thus simplifying deployment. You can enable the objects in these buckets with public read access, allowing users to view all the content on these static websites.
Security: Data object protection is achieved through the following:
Encryption in Transit: Secures data as it travels to and from the Object Storage using robust TLS 1.2/1.3 encryption protocol.
Server-Side Encryption: Protects stored data by encrypting it on the server side with IONOS S3 Object Storage managed keys (SSE-S3) and customer-managed keys (SSE-C) using AES256 encryption algorithm. The storage objects are decrypted automatically when downloaded.
S3 Features: IONOS S3 Object Storage secures your data in the storage pool through Versioning, Block Public Access, Object Lock, and Replication features.
Security Certification: The solution adheres to the ISO 27001 certificate based on IT-Grundschutz and complies with the EU's GDPR.
Large Data Volume: Data in the Object Storage are stored as objects, which include metadata and a unique identifier, making object retrieval easier for large volumes of unstructured data.
Cost-Effective Billing: A straightforward pay-as-you-go model, eliminating upfront costs. You are charged solely based on storage utilization and outbound data transfer per gigabyte. Additionally, we do not impose charges for requests.
Highly Scalable: With Object Storage, you can start with small data storage and expand data storage as your application needs at any time, offering the utmost flexibility with data storage.
Georedundant Hosting: The objects and buckets in Object Storage are hosted on multiple data centers in different geographical locations, guaranteeing high availability and data durability even during primary site failures or outages.
Compliance Standards: IONOS S3 Object Storage infrastructure and processes comply with IT-Grundschutz, GDPR, and ISO-27001 standards, offering peak data protection and robust privacy policies.
Write Once Read Many (WORM): The Object Lock on the data stored in the Object Storage is protected and prevents the data from being erased or modified.
Data Protection: With access control lists and object lock features, multiple layers of data protection can be enforced on data objects and define permissions for who can access the data in the Object Storage. With advanced data encryption algorithms, secure data storage is achieved.
Lifecycle Management: With Object Storage Lifecycle rules, you can enforce the data deletion process for historical data and save the storage cost.
IONOS S3 Object Storage provides a range of access options, including a web console, desktop applications, command-line tools, and an option to develop your application using API and SDKs.
In the DCD, go to Menu > Storage > IONOS S3 Object Storage to access IONOS S3 Object Storage via the web console. Here you can manage buckets, and objects, set access controls, and much more. To set up Object Storage, see Enable Object Storage access.
Cyberduck is an open-source GUI client supporting object storage among other protocols, presenting storage objects as local files for easy browsing, upload, and download.
S3 Browser is a freeware Windows client for Object Storage, providing an easy way to manage buckets and objects, including file permissions and access control lists, through a visual interface.
You can access the IONOS S3 Object Storage via the following command-line tools:
AWS CLI is unique in offering a wide range of commands for the comprehensive management of buckets and objects which is ideal for scripting and automation.
S3cmd is a command-line tool offering direct, scriptable control over object storage buckets and objects. However, it lacks certain features like versioning and replication management.
rclone is a command-line program for syncing files between local and cloud storage, distinguishing itself with powerful synchronization capabilities, specifically useful when handling large data quantities and complex sync setups.
Being S3 compatible means you can use standard S3 API calls and SDKs with our storage solution. For more information, see IONOS S3 Object Storage API Reference.