# Object Storage (S3)

**Object Storage** is a storage paradigm that stores data as objects (or files) and is accessible over the internet, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Conceptually, object storage holds data in a format that can be thought of as a file. However, a key difference from a standard file is the ability to attach **metadata**. For example, when storing video from a surveillance camera, the primary object is the video file, while the metadata might include the recording time or the ID of the specific camera. This metadata is extremely useful for data analytics.

A core feature of object storage is its accessibility over the internet via the **S3 API** using standard **HTTP/HTTPS protocols**. This makes it ideal for storing media files for websites or for supporting applications with horizontally scaled instances, which are frequently added or removed. While a block storage volume can typically only be attached to a single instance, an object storage bucket can be accessed by any number of instances as long as they have network access to it.

Objects are organized into **buckets**, which are similar to folders or directories on a PC. You PUT objects into a bucket and always read objects through that bucket. Within a bucket, you can also create directories to further organize your objects.

## **Bucket Availability Zones**

Within NIPA Cloud Space, a single Object Storage Bucket is available in two Availability Zones: **NCP-BKK** and **NCS-NON**. The data in these two zones is stored completely separately. You can access each Availability Zone by using its specific bucket endpoint:

* **NCP-BKK:** https\://\[bucket-name].s3-bkk.nipa.cloud
* **NCS-NON:** https\://\[bucket-name].s3-non.nipa.cloud

## **Bucket Limitation**

While there is no limit on the total storage size of an Object Storage bucket, there is a limit on the number of objects that can be stored within a single bucket in a single Availability Zone. This limit is **1.6 million objects (1,638,400 objects)**.

## **Accessing Object Storage**

You can access object storage via the S3 protocol through several methods, such as a CLI, SDKs, or third-party software.

* Access via **CLI (Command Line Interface)** 
* Access via **SDKs**
* Access using various **software interfaces**

[Read more about Object Storage](https://nipa.cloud/products/nipa-cloud-iaas/nipa-space/object-storage)