SoftLayer Introduces Searchable Object Storage

SoftLayer Technologies, Inc. announced the worldwide availability of SoftLayer Object Storage, a redundant and scalable cloud storage service that allows users to store, search and retrieve data across the Internet, with optional CDN connectivity, or across SoftLayer’s global private network.

Based on OpenStack Object Storage (code-named Swift), SoftLayer’s Object Storage solution incorporates additional features including integrated indexing and search, rich metadata, CDN support and integration into SoftLayer’s management toolset.

A benefit of object-based storage is the role it can play in automating and streamlining data storage in cloud computing environments, particularly suited to managing and archiving large quantities of static information such as virtual machine images, graphic files and email. SoftLayer Object Storage adds a metadata system for describing, categorizing and indexing objects, and full search functionality for flexibility in object retrieval.

"Object Storage gives our users an easy, scalable way to store and retrieve data," said Marc Jones, director of product innovation for SoftLayer. "With our search functionality, SoftLayer Object Storage customers can efficiently find and retrieve objects from the store based on user-definable tags, extending their data management capabilities beyond traditional object storage services."

Features include:

• Integrated Indexing and Search: Quickly access information through user-defined metadata key-value pairs, file name or unique identifier.
• Worldwide Storage Fabric: Storage clusters in North America, Europe and Asia, all connected via a private network provide secure data replication and transfer.
• Redundant Architecture: Data is written multiple times per cluster with self-healing capabilities to restore data in case of drive failure. Data can be replicated across SoftLayer’s global data center footprint.
• Flexible Data Distribution: Scalable read/write access gives users the ability to serve content directly from the storage system or via the SoftLayer CDN.
• Consumption-Based Pricing: Per-gigabyte pricing allows customers to control costs, with no charge for private and inbound public network traffic.
• Management Toolkit: Integration into SoftLayer Customer Portal, mobile applications, and a RESTful API provides range of human or machine access.

Pricing and Availability
SoftLayer Object Storage is available in the U.S. with global reach coming by the end of end of February. Prices start at 12 cents per gigabyte plus outbound network utilization.