Cloud Based Storage - 2023, Q1 Quarterly Cost Report
The cloud storage pricing report is a quarterly cost report comparison of cloud storage across multiple providers and tiers. The purpose of this report is to provide the reader with deeper insights into how cloud providers charge for storage while enabling end users to make better decisions when selecting a cloud provider and tier that matches their data and usage scenario.
Currently, the following cloud storage options are analyzed in this report:
The DNAfabric Cost Calculator
We utilize the “DNAfabric Cost Calculator” to contrast and compare multiple cloud providers and tiers. The DNAfabric cost calculator is a free tool that helps users build and compare cost models across multiple providers and tiers of storage.
For the purposes of this report, we rely on the cost calculator tool to build models across user data type, access scenarios, and cloud storage options.
The DNAfabric cost calculator tool is free to use.
DNAfabric: The Unstructured Data Management Platform
Along with the cost calculator, DNAfabric is a cloud-optimized, unstructured data management platform that offers multiple unstructured data management services. These services range from backup, archive, verification and synchronization services.
More information about DNAfabric.
Understanding The Cost Comparisons Below
Variables Used In Computing Cost
For the purposes of this report, we have taken a few different variables into account. While many more variables affect cloud price, the following three have the largest impact:
Type of data (Small vs Large Files): Small files result in far more API calls and IOs to be performed. This means that the same amount of data in GB will cost more if the file sizes are smaller. Hence it is important to consider file size when we are predicting cloud costs.
Data access frequency (Hot vs Cold Data): Cloud storage data access frequency refers to the rate at which data stored in a cloud storage service is accessed or retrieved by users or applications.
Factors that can impact data access frequency include the number of users accessing the data, the types of applications and workloads using the data, and the overall performance of the cloud storage service itself.
Data egress (In-Cloud vs Out-of-Cloud): Cloud storage data egress refers to the transfer of data out of a cloud storage service to a different location or system. This can include data being downloaded to a local device or system, data being transferred to another cloud storage service or to a different network location, or data being backed up to an external storage system.
Data egress can be a significant factor in the cost of using a cloud storage service, as many providers charge for data transferred out of their service.
1. Large Files, Hot Access, In-Cloud/No Egress
In this section, we compare a 1 PB dataset consisting of large files (average size 1 GB) for hot data access (75% access/month)
Data is assumed to be accessed within the cloud, essentially negating the egress costs across all providers.
NOTE: *Access costs (where applicable) are still computed. [Access costs are a separate cost to egress costs charged by some providers. Refer to the Cost Calculator for more details.]
Inputs used for the DNAfabric Cost Calculator:
– 1 PB
– Avg File Size: 1 GB
– Total Time: 12 months
2. Large Files, Hot Access, Out-of-Cloud/With Egress
In this section, we compare a 1 PB dataset consisting of large files (average size 1 GB) for hot data access (75% access/month).
Data is assumed to be accessed outside the cloud e.g. on-premise thus requiring an egress.
NOTE: *Access costs (where applicable) are still computed. [Access costs are a separate cost to egress costs charged by some providers. Refer to the Cost Calculator for more details.]
Inputs used for the DNAfabric Cost Calculator:
– 1 PB
– Avg File Size: 1 GB
– Total Time: 12 months
3. Large Files, Cold Access, In-Cloud/No Egress
In this section, we compare a 1 PB dataset consisting of large files (average size 1 GB) for hot data access (10% access/month).
Data is assumed to be accessed within the cloud essentially negating the egress costs across all providers
NOTE: *Access costs (where applicable) are still computed. [Access costs are a separate cost to egress costs charged by some providers. Refer to the Cost Calculator for more details.]
Inputs used for the DNAfabric Cost Calculator:
– 1 PB
– Avg File Size: 1 GB
– Total Time: 12 months
4. Large Files, Cool Access, Out-of-Cloud/With Egress
In this section, we compare a 1 PB dataset consisting of large files (average size 1 GB) for hot data access (10% access/month).
Data is assumed to be accessed outside the cloud e.g. on-premise thus requiring an egress.
NOTE: *Access costs (where applicable) are still computed. [Access costs are a separate cost to egress costs charged by some providers. Refer to the Cost Calculator for more details.]
Inputs used for the DNAfabric Cost Calculator:
– 1 PB
– Avg File Size: 1 GB
– Total Time: 12 months
5. Small Files, Hot Access, In-Cloud/No Egress
In this section, we compare a 1 PB dataset consisting of small files (average size 10 MB) for hot data access (75% access/month).
Data is assumed to be accessed within the cloud essentially negating the egress costs across all providers.
NOTE: *Access costs (where applicable) are still computed. [Access costs are a separate cost to egress costs charged by some providers. Refer to the Cost Calculator for more details.]
Inputs used for the DNAfabric Cost Calculator:
– 1 PB
– Avg File Size: 10 MB
– Total Time: 12 months
6. Small Files, Hot Access, Out-of-Cloud/With Egress
In this section, we compare a 1 PB dataset consisting of small files (average size 10 MB) for hot data access (75% access/month).
Data is assumed to be accessed outside the cloud e.g. on-premise thus requiring an egress.
NOTE: *Access costs (where applicable) are still computed. [Access costs are a separate cost to egress costs charged by some providers. Refer to the Cost Calculator for more details.]
Inputs used for the DNAfabric Cost Calculator:
– 1 PB
– Avg File Size: 10 MB
– Total Time: 12 months
7. Small Files, Cool Access, In-Cloud/No Egress
In this section, we compare a 1 PB dataset consisting of small files (average size 10 MB) for hot data access (10% access/month).
Data is assumed to be accessed within the cloud essentially negating the egress costs across all providers.
NOTE: *Access costs (where applicable) are still computed. [Access costs are a separate cost to egress costs charged by some providers. Refer to the Cost Calculator for more details.]
Inputs used for the DNAfabric Cost Calculator:
– 1 PB
– Avg File Size: 10 MB
– Total Time: 12 months
8. Small Files, Cool Access, Out-of-Cloud/With Egress
In this section, we compare a 1 PB dataset consisting of small files (average size 10 MB) for hot data access (10% access/month).
Data is assumed to be accessed outside the cloud e.g. on-premise thus requiring an egress.
NOTE: *Access costs (where applicable) are still computed. [Access costs are a separate cost to egress costs charged by some providers. Refer to the Cost Calculator for more details.]
Inputs used for the DNAfabric Cost Calculator:
– 1 PB
– Avg File Size: 10 MB
– Total Time: 12 months