# Set Up Object Storage Access

When you log on to the Object Storage using the [<mark style="color:blue;">DCD</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/support/general-information/glossary-of-terms#dcd), the DCD manages authentication and authorization so that you can access the object storage with just one click.

## Enable Object Storage access

{% hint style="info" %}
**Prerequisite:** Make sure you have the corresponding privilege to enable <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage</code>. Only contract owners and administrators can enable Object Storage.
{% endhint %}

1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Management**, and click **Users & Groups**.

2\. [<mark style="color:blue;">Create a Group</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/sections-test/guides/set-up-ionos-cloud/management/identity-access-management/user-management#create-a-group) or open an existing group from the **Groups** drop-down list.

3\. In the **Privileges**, select the **Use Object Storage** checkbox to enable Object Storage permission.

4\. In the **Members** tab, add users to the group that you want to authorize for the use of the object storage.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** All members of the authorized group get the required permission to manage <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage</code> using the DCD.
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## Set Up Object Storage from the DCD

You must create a bucket or an Object Storage access key to start using the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage</code>.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Prerequisite:** The **Use Object Storage** permission must be enabled for the user account. The Object Storage is not enabled for an IONOS Cloud account by default. For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Enable Object Storage access</mark>](#enable-object-storage-access).
{% endhint %}

To set up Object Storage through the DCD, follow these steps:

1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Storage & Backup** > **IONOS Object Storage**.

The **Buckets** and **Key management** section are shown on the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage</code> **Home** page.

2\. Click **Create a bucket**. Creating a new bucket also creates an access key if it does not exist already. For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Create a Bucket</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/sections-test/guides/storage-and-backup/ionos-object-storage/get-started/create-bucket).

3\. In the **Key management**, click **Generate a key** to create a new access key. For more information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Generate a Key</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/sections-test/guides/storage-and-backup/ionos-object-storage/get-started/generate-key).

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** The keys work for both contract-owned and user-owned buckets and work with all available Object Storage [<mark style="color:blue;">Endpoints</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/sections-test/guides/storage-and-backup/ionos-object-storage/endpoints).
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** The Object Storage is successfully set up through the DCD. On setting up Object Storage, the billing starts only after you upload an object.
{% endhint %}

Your Object Storage credentials consist of an **Access Key** and a **Secret Key**. The DCD automatically uses these credentials to set up Object Storage. These credentials are also required to set up access to <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage</code> using [<mark style="color:blue;">S3 Tools</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/sections-test/guides/storage-and-backup/ionos-object-storage/s3-tools).

### Accessing other users' Object Storage

Contract owners and administrators may use this functionality to access buckets and objects stored in the <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage</code> accounts of users who are no longer active members of their contracts.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Warning:** Before you delete a user or all of their Object Storage access keys from your account, ensure that the content in their <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage</code> is accessible so that you can continue to use it or delete it by adjusting the access rights accordingly.
{% endhint %}

To access other user's Object Storage, follow these steps:

1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Management**, and click **Users & Groups**.

2\. Select the required user from the **Users** drop-down list.

3.In the **Object Storage Keys**, click **Manage**.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** You are now logged on as the bucket owner of the selected user's <code class="expression">space.vars.ionos\_cloud\_object\_storage</code>. You can now access the user's buckets, objects, and access keys. You can also update the Object Storage of this user account.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:**

* The contract is charged for data stored even if all the Object Storage keys are deleted. However, you can create a new key and continue to work with Object Storage.
* You need to delete all the objects from the user-owned bucket before you delete a user or all of their Object Storage Keys from your account; otherwise, the contract continues to be charged for the stored data.
  {% endhint %}

For more billing information, see [<mark style="color:blue;">Pricing Model</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/sections-test/guides/storage-and-backup/ionos-object-storage/overview/pricing) or contact the [<mark style="color:blue;">IONOS Cloud Support</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/support/general-information/contact-information).