Cloudian HyperStore: A Comprehensive Analysis of its Architecture, Performance, and Position in the Evolving Big Data Storage Landscape

Abstract

Object storage has emerged as a dominant paradigm for managing the explosive growth of unstructured data characteristic of the big data era. Cloudian HyperStore, a software-defined object storage solution, presents a compelling alternative to public cloud offerings. This research report provides a comprehensive analysis of Cloudian HyperStore, exploring its architecture, key features, performance characteristics, security implementations, and competitive positioning. We delve into various use cases beyond conventional big data storage, including artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) workloads and media archiving. Furthermore, the report examines Cloudian’s pricing model and analyzes customer reviews and case studies across diverse industries. By comparing Cloudian with leading cloud providers like AWS S3 and Azure Blob Storage, we aim to provide a nuanced understanding of its strengths, weaknesses, and suitability for different organizational needs.

Many thanks to our sponsor Esdebe who helped us prepare this research report.

1. Introduction

The exponential growth of unstructured data, driven by factors such as IoT devices, social media, and scientific research, has created significant challenges for organizations seeking to store, manage, and analyze vast datasets. Traditional storage solutions, such as Network Attached Storage (NAS) and Storage Area Networks (SANs), often struggle to scale effectively and cost-efficiently to meet the demands of big data. Object storage, characterized by its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and metadata-rich architecture, has emerged as a preferred solution for managing unstructured data. It treats each piece of data as an object, stored with associated metadata, and accessed via HTTP APIs. This architecture offers numerous advantages, including simplified data management, improved scalability, and enhanced data durability.

Cloudian HyperStore is a software-defined object storage solution that offers a compelling alternative to public cloud object storage services. It is designed to be S3-compatible, allowing organizations to leverage existing applications and tools that interact with AWS S3 without requiring significant modifications. Cloudian’s on-premise deployment model offers advantages in terms of data sovereignty, security, and latency, particularly for organizations with strict regulatory requirements or performance-sensitive applications. This report aims to provide a detailed evaluation of Cloudian HyperStore, analyzing its architectural design, performance capabilities, security features, and competitive positioning in the market. We will explore various use cases and examine customer feedback to provide a comprehensive understanding of Cloudian’s potential value proposition.

Many thanks to our sponsor Esdebe who helped us prepare this research report.

2. HyperStore Architecture and Key Features

Cloudian HyperStore’s architecture is predicated on a distributed, scale-out design, enabling organizations to seamlessly expand storage capacity as their data grows. The system comprises several key components that work together to provide a robust and scalable object storage platform:

• Storage Nodes: These are the fundamental building blocks of the HyperStore system. Each storage node is a physical or virtual server that stores object data and associated metadata. Nodes are added to the cluster to increase storage capacity and performance. Data is distributed across multiple nodes to ensure high availability and data durability. HyperStore supports a variety of hardware configurations, allowing organizations to optimize their infrastructure based on their specific requirements.
• Metadata Management: HyperStore utilizes a distributed metadata management system to efficiently track the location and attributes of objects. This metadata system is designed for high performance and scalability, ensuring that object retrieval times remain consistent even as the cluster grows. The metadata is typically stored on solid-state drives (SSDs) to provide fast access times. HyperStore’s metadata management also supports features such as versioning and object locking, enabling organizations to maintain data integrity and comply with regulatory requirements.
• S3 API Compatibility: Cloudian HyperStore is fully S3-compatible, meaning that it supports the same APIs and data formats as AWS S3. This compatibility allows organizations to seamlessly migrate existing S3 applications to HyperStore without requiring code changes. It also provides access to a rich ecosystem of S3-compatible tools and services, such as data analytics platforms and backup solutions. The S3 API compatibility is a significant advantage for organizations that want to avoid vendor lock-in and maintain flexibility in their storage strategy.
• Data Replication and Erasure Coding: To ensure data durability and availability, HyperStore offers both data replication and erasure coding. Replication involves creating multiple copies of each object and storing them on different storage nodes. This approach provides high data redundancy but can be less storage-efficient. Erasure coding, on the other hand, divides an object into multiple fragments and encodes them with parity data. These fragments are then distributed across different storage nodes. Erasure coding provides comparable data durability to replication but with significantly lower storage overhead. HyperStore allows organizations to choose the data protection method that best suits their needs.
• Multi-Tenancy and Quality of Service (QoS): HyperStore supports multi-tenancy, allowing multiple users or organizations to share the same storage infrastructure. Each tenant is isolated from others, ensuring data privacy and security. HyperStore also provides QoS features that allow administrators to prioritize access to storage resources based on tenant or application requirements. This helps to ensure that critical applications receive the resources they need to perform optimally.
• Hybrid Cloud Integration: Cloudian HyperStore can be integrated with public cloud storage services, such as AWS S3 and Azure Blob Storage, to create a hybrid cloud storage environment. This integration allows organizations to leverage the scalability and cost-effectiveness of public cloud storage while maintaining control over their data and security. HyperStore can be used to tier data between on-premise storage and public cloud storage, optimizing storage costs and performance. For example, frequently accessed data can be stored on-premise for low latency access, while less frequently accessed data can be tiered to the public cloud for cost-effective archiving.
• Searchable Metadata: A key feature of HyperStore is its ability to index and search object metadata. This allows users to quickly and easily find specific objects based on their attributes, such as file type, creation date, or user-defined tags. Searchable metadata can significantly improve data discovery and management, particularly in large and complex storage environments. The ability to quickly locate specific data sets is crucial for many applications, such as data analytics and compliance reporting.

Many thanks to our sponsor Esdebe who helped us prepare this research report.

3. Performance Benchmarks and Analysis

The performance of object storage solutions is critical for many applications, particularly those involving large datasets and high transaction volumes. Cloudian HyperStore’s performance depends on several factors, including the hardware configuration, network bandwidth, and workload characteristics. While Cloudian publishes performance benchmarks, independent verification is essential for a comprehensive evaluation.

• Throughput: Throughput measures the rate at which data can be read from or written to the storage system. HyperStore’s throughput is influenced by the number of storage nodes in the cluster and the network bandwidth between the nodes. Benchmarks typically measure both read and write throughput under different load conditions. Tests conducted by Cloudian have shown that HyperStore can achieve high throughput rates, particularly when using SSDs for metadata storage. However, real-world performance can vary depending on the specific workload and network configuration.
• Latency: Latency measures the time it takes to retrieve an object from the storage system. Low latency is critical for applications that require fast access to data, such as web servers and real-time analytics platforms. HyperStore’s latency is affected by the distance between the client and the storage nodes, the network latency, and the performance of the metadata management system. Using SSDs for metadata storage can significantly reduce latency.
• IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second): IOPS measures the number of read or write operations that the storage system can handle per second. IOPS is particularly important for applications that perform a large number of small reads and writes. HyperStore’s IOPS performance is influenced by the number of storage nodes in the cluster and the performance of the storage devices. Again, SSDs will provide significant improvements in IOPS performance compared to traditional hard disk drives (HDDs).
• Scalability: A key advantage of object storage is its ability to scale horizontally. HyperStore is designed to scale linearly, meaning that performance increases proportionally as more storage nodes are added to the cluster. This scalability is crucial for organizations that need to store and manage rapidly growing datasets. Independent tests should evaluate HyperStore’s scalability under realistic load conditions to ensure that it can meet the demands of growing data volumes.

It’s important to note that performance benchmarks should be interpreted with caution. The results can vary significantly depending on the specific test conditions. When evaluating HyperStore’s performance, it’s crucial to consider the specific requirements of the application and the expected workload. Comparing benchmark results from different vendors can also be challenging, as the test methodologies may not be consistent. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct in-house testing with a representative workload to accurately assess HyperStore’s performance in a real-world environment.

Many thanks to our sponsor Esdebe who helped us prepare this research report.

4. Security Aspects of Cloudian HyperStore

Data security is a paramount concern for organizations, particularly when dealing with sensitive data. Cloudian HyperStore offers several security features to protect data from unauthorized access and ensure data integrity:

• Authentication and Authorization: HyperStore supports various authentication and authorization mechanisms, including Active Directory integration, LDAP integration, and S3 IAM (Identity and Access Management). These mechanisms allow organizations to control access to data based on user roles and permissions. HyperStore also supports multi-factor authentication (MFA) for enhanced security.
• Encryption: HyperStore offers both data-at-rest encryption and data-in-transit encryption. Data-at-rest encryption protects data stored on the storage nodes from unauthorized access. HyperStore supports various encryption algorithms, such as AES-256. Data-in-transit encryption protects data as it is transmitted between clients and the storage nodes. HyperStore supports HTTPS (TLS) for secure communication.
• Data Integrity: HyperStore employs checksums to verify the integrity of data stored on the storage nodes. Checksums are calculated for each object and stored with the object metadata. When an object is retrieved, the checksum is recalculated and compared to the stored checksum. If the checksums do not match, it indicates that the data has been corrupted. HyperStore also supports data versioning, which allows organizations to revert to previous versions of an object if it has been accidentally deleted or corrupted.
• Auditing: HyperStore logs all access attempts and administrative actions. These logs can be used to track user activity, identify security breaches, and comply with regulatory requirements. The audit logs can be stored locally or exported to a centralized log management system.
• Compliance Certifications: Cloudian has obtained several compliance certifications, such as SOC 2 and HIPAA, demonstrating its commitment to security and data protection. These certifications provide assurance to organizations that HyperStore meets industry standards for security and privacy.
• Object Locking (WORM): Cloudian supports Write Once Read Many (WORM) functionality, also known as object locking. This is crucial for regulatory compliance in industries like finance and healthcare. WORM ensures that data cannot be altered or deleted after it has been written, providing a tamper-proof archive.

It’s important to note that security is a shared responsibility. While HyperStore provides a range of security features, organizations are responsible for properly configuring and managing the system to ensure data security. This includes implementing strong authentication policies, encrypting data both at rest and in transit, and regularly monitoring audit logs for suspicious activity. Security best practices should be followed to minimize the risk of data breaches.

Many thanks to our sponsor Esdebe who helped us prepare this research report.

5. Competitive Landscape

Cloudian HyperStore competes with a range of object storage solutions, including public cloud services such as AWS S3 and Azure Blob Storage, as well as other on-premise object storage solutions. Each solution has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on the specific requirements of the organization.

• AWS S3 (Amazon Simple Storage Service): S3 is the market leader in object storage, offering a highly scalable, reliable, and cost-effective service. S3 benefits from a large ecosystem of tools and services, and it is deeply integrated with other AWS services. However, S3 is a public cloud service, which may not be suitable for organizations with strict data sovereignty or security requirements. S3’s pricing can also be complex, and costs can escalate quickly with high data transfer volumes.
• Azure Blob Storage: Azure Blob Storage is Microsoft’s object storage service, offering similar features to AWS S3. Azure Blob Storage is well-integrated with other Azure services, and it offers competitive pricing. Like S3, Azure Blob Storage is a public cloud service, which may not be suitable for all organizations.
• Dell ECS (Elastic Cloud Storage): Dell ECS is an on-premise object storage solution that offers similar features to Cloudian HyperStore. Dell ECS is designed for large enterprises and offers high scalability and performance. However, Dell ECS can be more complex and expensive to deploy and manage than Cloudian HyperStore.
• IBM Cloud Object Storage: IBM Cloud Object Storage is another on-premise and cloud-based object storage offering. It provides strong data protection and compliance features. It tends to be targeted at larger enterprises with more complex requirements.
• Ceph: Ceph is an open-source software-defined storage platform that can be used to build object storage systems. Ceph offers high flexibility and customization, but it can be more complex to deploy and manage than commercial solutions. Ceph also requires significant in-house expertise.

Cloudian HyperStore differentiates itself from the public cloud providers by offering an on-premise solution that provides greater control over data and security. It differentiates itself from other on-premise solutions by offering a simpler and more cost-effective deployment model. Its S3 compatibility is also a key advantage, allowing organizations to leverage existing S3 tools and applications. A key consideration is whether the total cost of ownership, including hardware, software, and maintenance, is lower for Cloudian compared to the public cloud when the costs associated with moving large amounts of data in and out of the cloud are considered.

Many thanks to our sponsor Esdebe who helped us prepare this research report.

6. Pricing Models

Cloudian’s pricing model is based on a perpetual license or subscription model. The perpetual license model requires an upfront payment for the software license, followed by annual maintenance fees. The subscription model involves paying a recurring fee for the software license and support services. The pricing is typically based on the amount of storage capacity managed by the system. This differs significantly from the pay-as-you-go model of AWS S3 and Azure Blob Storage.

The total cost of ownership (TCO) of Cloudian HyperStore depends on several factors, including the amount of storage capacity, the number of storage nodes, the hardware configuration, and the level of support services required. Organizations should carefully evaluate their storage needs and compare the TCO of Cloudian HyperStore with that of other object storage solutions to determine the most cost-effective option. Public cloud pricing is complex. There are ingress, egress, and storage costs to be considered and these vary by the type of storage class (standard, infrequent access, archive etc.) If large data transfers are expected then the cost of a private on-premise solution can be more competitive. The key factor when pricing a cloud solution is to carefully cost the data access pattern.

Many thanks to our sponsor Esdebe who helped us prepare this research report.

7. Use Cases Beyond Traditional Big Data Storage

While Cloudian HyperStore is well-suited for traditional big data storage applications, such as archiving and data analytics, it can also be used for a variety of other use cases:

• AI/ML Workloads: Object storage is increasingly being used to store and manage the large datasets required for AI/ML workloads. Cloudian HyperStore can provide a cost-effective and scalable storage platform for these workloads, allowing data scientists and engineers to access and process data quickly and efficiently. The searchable metadata capabilities of HyperStore can also be used to improve data discovery and management for AI/ML projects. Specifically, HyperStore can efficiently store training datasets, model artifacts, and intermediate results, enabling faster iteration and experimentation.
• Media Archiving: The media and entertainment industry generates vast amounts of digital content, which needs to be stored and archived for long-term preservation. Cloudian HyperStore can provide a cost-effective and reliable solution for media archiving, allowing organizations to store their content securely and access it quickly when needed. The S3 compatibility of HyperStore makes it easy to integrate with existing media asset management systems.
• Backup and Disaster Recovery: Object storage is also being used as a target for backup and disaster recovery. Cloudian HyperStore can provide a cost-effective and scalable solution for backing up data from on-premise systems and applications. The data replication and erasure coding features of HyperStore ensure that backups are highly available and durable.
• Healthcare Image Storage (PACS): Medical imaging systems (PACS – Picture Archiving and Communication System) generate large image files (X-rays, CT scans, MRIs). HyperStore is an excellent solution for storing this type of data because the system is easily scaled as more data is acquired. Also, the ability to set retention periods and access controls assists in the compliance requirements necessary in healthcare.
• Data Lakes: Cloudian is well positioned as a core technology for data lakes. Data lakes store data in its native format. All data sources can be ingested directly into the data lake in their original structure, ready for future analytics and processing. The scalability and metadata support that HyperStore offers are ideal for the requirements of building a data lake.

These are just a few examples of the many use cases for Cloudian HyperStore beyond traditional big data storage. As data volumes continue to grow, object storage will become increasingly important for a wide range of applications.

Many thanks to our sponsor Esdebe who helped us prepare this research report.

8. Customer Reviews and Case Studies

Customer reviews and case studies provide valuable insights into the real-world performance and usability of Cloudian HyperStore. While it’s crucial to approach these with a critical eye, they can offer a glimpse into the experiences of organizations that have deployed the solution.

Generally, customer reviews highlight the following advantages of Cloudian HyperStore:

• Scalability: Customers consistently praise HyperStore’s ability to scale seamlessly to meet growing storage needs.
• S3 Compatibility: The full S3 API compatibility is a major selling point, enabling organizations to leverage existing S3 tools and applications without requiring code changes.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Customers often find HyperStore to be more cost-effective than public cloud storage, especially for large datasets and long-term archiving.
• On-Premise Control: Organizations appreciate the ability to maintain control over their data and security by deploying HyperStore on-premise.

Common use cases highlighted in customer case studies include:

• Media and Entertainment: Storing and archiving large media files.
• Healthcare: Storing medical images and patient data.
• Research and Education: Storing scientific data and research results.
• Financial Services: Archiving financial records and transaction data.

It’s important to note that some customer reviews also mention challenges, such as the complexity of initial deployment and configuration. Some users have also expressed a desire for improved monitoring and management tools. These concerns should be carefully considered when evaluating Cloudian HyperStore.

Many thanks to our sponsor Esdebe who helped us prepare this research report.

9. Conclusion

Cloudian HyperStore offers a compelling solution for organizations seeking a scalable, cost-effective, and S3-compatible object storage platform. Its architecture, performance characteristics, and security features make it well-suited for a variety of use cases, including big data storage, AI/ML workloads, and media archiving. While it faces competition from public cloud providers and other on-premise solutions, Cloudian HyperStore differentiates itself by offering a balance of control, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. The on-premise deployment model may be preferred for organizations with strong security or data sovereignty constraints. The full S3 compatibility is a major advantage, simplifying integration with existing S3 tools and applications.

However, organizations should carefully evaluate their storage needs and compare the TCO of Cloudian HyperStore with that of other object storage solutions to determine the most suitable option. Independent performance testing and careful consideration of customer reviews are essential for making an informed decision. Cloudian offers a mature platform, but the ongoing evolution of the object storage market, especially with respect to serverless compute and AI/ML integration in the public cloud, should be factored into long term planning.

Many thanks to our sponsor Esdebe who helped us prepare this research report.

References

• Cloudian Website: https://www.cloudian.com/
• AWS S3 Documentation: https://aws.amazon.com/s3/
• Azure Blob Storage Documentation: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/storage/blobs/
• Cloudian HyperStore Documentation: https://cloudian.com/resources/documentation/
• Object Storage Definition: https://www.oracle.com/uk/cloud/what-is-object-storage/
• Erasure Coding Overview: https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/STXKQY/pdf/com.ibm.storage.cns.erasure.coding.pdf
• TechTarget Definition of Object Storage: https://www.techtarget.com/searchstorage/definition/object-storage