Cloud storage gateway

A cloud storage gateway is a network appliance or server which resides at the customer premises and translates cloud storage APIs such as SOAP or REST to block-based storage protocols such as iSCSI or Fibre Channel or file-based interfaces such as NFS or CIFS.^[1][2]

According to a 2011 report by Gartner Group, Cloud gateways are expected to increase the use of cloud storage by lowering monthly charges and eliminating the concern of data security.^[3] Taneja Group Inc. analysts predict that the cloud gateway appliance market will grow to more than $400 million in 2014, from $11 million at the end of 2010.^[4]

Characteristics

Unlike the cloud storage services which they complement, cloud storage gateways use standard network protocols which provide a seamless integration with existing applications. Cloud storage gateways can also serve as intermediaries to multiple cloud storage providers. Some cloud storage gateways also include additional storage features such as backup and recovery, caching, compression, encryption, deduplication and provisioning.^[1]

See also

• Cloud computing
• Cloud storage

References

1. ^ ^{a b} GigaOm, Show Me the Gateway — Taking Storage to the Cloud, By Gary Orenstein. 22 June 2010 [1]
2. ^ Boles, Jeff. Cloud file storage pros and cons. 15 March 2011
3. ^ Stanley Zaffos, Adam W. Couture. Hybrid Cloud Gateway Appliances Expand Cloud Storage Use Cases. Gartner Group Research G00209453. 10 January 2011
4. ^ Sliwa, Carol. New hybrid cloud storage appliances attract attention for primary data. May 2011.