# Configure Object Storage as a Backup Target
By default, backup data gets stored on the storage provided by the Backup Service. You can add Object Storage endpoints to the list of storage locations. Consider this option when you want to use further features from the respective Object Storage or ensure that the distance between the location of the backup data source and backup data target is of a certain near or far distance.
Object Storage setups must be configured per individual backup unit.
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**Prerequisites:**
* The **Backup Unit** must be shared with the user. Alternatively, the user can create a new backup unit with the **Create Backup Units** privilege. Contract administrators and owners can access all backup units and can create new ones anytime.
* The user may need the **Use Object Storage** privilege, which is required to generate an Access Key and Secret Key for the respective user account. Alternatively, the user may receive an Access Key and Secret Key from another organisation member to complete the configuration. Contract administrators and owners have the privilege **Use Object Storage** by default.
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## Open the Backup Service Console
1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Storage & Backup** > **Backup Unit Manager**.
2\. Select the required backup unit and click **Open Console**.
### Configure a new Backup Storage
By default, the storage of the space.vars.backup\_service is pre-selected as the target storage for backup data. Follow the instructions to add your Object Storage:
1. Navigate to **Backup Storage** in the left navigation of the **Backup Service Console**. The list of locations will be displayed.
2. To add a location, click on **Add Location** in the actions menu on the right panel. A fly-out configuration menu will be displayed.
3. Select **Public Cloud**.
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**Note:** The green arrow next to the configuration item indicates that this configuration option will incur additional costs to your backup plan. Backups on Object Storage require the **Direct Backup to Public Cloud Pack** (previously known as Advanced Backup pack), which is applied per device. Object Storage may incur additional costs based on the service provider's pricing.
The configuration of the endpoint does not activate additional costs. Any cost becomes applicable only once the new storage location is configured in a backup plan and applied to an instance.
The service fee will differ when using the space.vars.backup\_service in combination with the Object Storage, as it does not use the backup storage. Refer to the price list for the applicable prices for the space.vars.backup\_service fee and the Advanced Backup Pack.
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4. Depending on your contract region, you can select IONOS Cloud Object Storage from the drop-down list. Alternatively, you can select other pre-configured Object Storage options or choose **S3 compatible**, which allows manual configuration of S3-compatible endpoints.
5. When you select a third-party Object Storage from the drop-down list, please follow their instructions to add or connect your account to the Acronis backup unit.
6. Select **IONOS Cloud Object Storage** as your target and click **Connect** to continue the configuration.
7. Select the Management Agent you want to use, then add the Access Key and Secret Key for a user who is a member of the IONOS Cloud Object Storage installation. If you want to configure other Object Storage providers, additional configurations may be needed.
8. Click **Connect**. The space.vars.backup\_service will verify your settings. After successful verification, you will be requested to specify the target bucket that will receive the backup data. The drop-down list will show all buckets that are available to the user, represented by the previously given Access Key.
9. After the configuration is completed, you need to confirm the setup by clicking **Add**. The screen returns to the overview of backup storage locations, which will contain the newly added Object Storage location.
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**Result:** The backup unit is prepared to use Object Storage as a backup storage target within backup plans.
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### Configure a Backup Plan to use Object Storage as backup target
1. Navigate to **Management** in the left navigation of the **Backup Service Console**.
2. Select **Protection Plans** from the list of options. You will see all existing protection plans within this **Backup Unit**.
**Note:** You can edit an existing protection plan or create a new one. If you edit an existing protection plan, the changes will be applied to all devices using this backup plan. The following section will describe creating a new backup plan, but the same changes would apply when editing an existing backup plan.
3. Select **Create Plan** from the actions menu on the right panel to create a new backup plan. You can choose from the templates or create your own plan. In this section, we will walk through the process of creating a custom backup plan.
4. A default configuration of a backup plan will be opened that contains several categories. Ensure the category **Backup** is enabled by setting the slider to the right. If the category **Backup** is not expanded then click on the category to unfold the configuration details.
5. Navigate to the configuration element **Where to backup**. The default backup storage is displayed. Click on **Cloud Storage** to open a list of available backup storage targets. Select the Object Storage location you have configured.
6. The backup storage location configurator closes automatically and shows the configuration page of your backup plan again. Depending on your previous settings, the pack **Direct Backup to Public Cloud** gets activated, which is required for storing data on an Object Storage.
7. Continue to configure further details of your backup plan, for example schedule, increments, encryption, or additional advanced features.
8. Once you have completed your setup, click on **Create** to apply the configuration plan.
9. You can add the backup plan to your device.
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**Result:** The backup plan is configured to use Object Storage as a backup target.
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