Solution Showcase: Using MinIO with IBM Spectrum Archive for an S3 API

MinIO is an open source, scalable, cloud storage server that is compatible with Amazon S3. It can be used with IBM Spectrum Scale in NAS Gateway mode as an S3 API.

The graphic shows that any S3-compatible object store source, or any S3 endpoint, can use the S3 API to move data to IBM Spectrum Scale, and from there the data can be moved to tape by using IBM Spectrum Archive EE. The graphic also states that the only steps for using the MinIO NAS gateway is to download the binary file, then begin using the S3 API.

The MinIO NAS Gateway is a simple translator for all S3 API calls, and writes the files on the IBM Spectrum Scale file system as normal files. This MinIO NAS Gateway provides an important feature called global 1-to-1 data sharing, which means that every object is a single file on IBM Spectrum Scale (one object to one file). Any S3 object can be seen as a file through IBM Spectrum Scale, including SMB/NFS, and any file created through IBM Spectrum Scale, including SMB/NFS, can be seen as an object via the S3 API. You can also create a separate NAS Gateway directory for only S3 data.

IBM Spectrum Archive EE provides a low-cost, scalable, tape storage tier for the files on IBM Spectrum Scale.
The left side of the graphic shows an image representing disk storage, and states how deep archives on HDD are vulnerable to uncontrolled storage growth, which increases costs and stretches security resources. The graphic then shows an arrow moving from the HDD storage to cloud storage, which can offer regulatory accountability, internal auditability, and resources that are focused on business outcomes. It also states that data stored on the cloud must be considered for long term storage. The image then shows an arrow moving from cloud storage to tape storage via the services of IBM Spectrum Archive EE. The image states that IBM Spectrum Archive EE provides up to 85% savings by storing data on tape, no vendor lock-in, scalable infrastructure, data security, encryption, WORM tapes, one tenth of the resource consumption for storage, and no specialized resources required.

MinIO is simple to deploy, and comes with its own browser. You can drag objects into the browser, and you can select objects in the browser to initiate automatic recalls. If you choose, you can also use other interfaces to interact with MinIO.

MinIO can be added to both new or existing IBM Spectrum Scale clusters. For more information about starting up the MinIO NAS Gateway, see the link to the MinIO NAS Gateway article in the Related Information section.

The minimum recommended configuration is:
  • Dual Intel Xeon Gold scalable processors (with a minimum of eight cores per socket).
  • 128 GB of RAM.
  • 25 GbE (Gigabit Ethernet) for high density, and a 100 GbE network adapter for high performance.
This minimum configuration will support a node with MinIO, IBM Spectrum Scale, and IBM Spectrum Archive EE all on the node.

For additional information about MinIO, see the MinIO product website.

Support for open source packages can be acquired, for a fee, by contacting a third-party provider.