HiComp's "Getting Started Guide to IBM/Softlayer Object Storage" is a simple, step-by-step guide to get you started using Softlayer's Object Storage.  Whether you use the drag-and-drop file upload utility in your web browser or one of the example third-party utilities, we'll get you on the road to using Softlayer's secure cloud storage platform.  The HiComp cloud storage services team has experience in guiding customers through the testing and full adoption of both block, file and object-based cloud storage.

Here's a sample from the Getting Started Guide to IBM/Softlayer Object Storage:

Picture

When you have the Softlayer signup completed and have changed your password, you can then begin using your Object Storage. Remember, your bill is ZERO dollars per month until you actually begin storing files in the object containers, and then the monthly billing is based on the exact amount of storage space you consume.  As of the date of publication of this paper, Softlayer charges four cents ($.04) per GB per month for Object Storage, that's $4/mo for every 100GB or $40/mo for every 1TB of data you store in the Softlayer Object Storage Cloud.  Note that Softlayer, much like all other cloud storage companies, charges you for OUTBOUND bandwidth.  In other words, there are no additional costs for you to upload files, but Softlayer charges ten cents ($.10) per GB for downloads from your Object Storage.  Thus, if you have to restore some files from your offsite backup, let's say 10GB for easy math, then that month's bill will have an additional one dollar ($1.00) of bandwidth charges for the downloads.

First, let's create a new storage container. Go to the SoftLayer website and click on the Portal link in the upper right hand corner of the site, you will then be prompted for your Username and Password (see image to left).   Once you've logged in, go to Storage-->Object Storage. In the menu line under clusters:dal05 over to the right, select Add Container and type in a container name. In this example we've named our container CBLtest01. Leave this browser tab open since we'll need the Credentials for the backup software to authenticate.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Download the free guide to get the complete step-by-step instructions on getting started with IBM/Softlayer Object Storage.


HiComp has partnered with IBM/Softlayer to bring cloud computing solutions to our customers.  From simple object storage for offsite backup to full production virtual servers, Softlayer has Enterprise-ready infrastructure to meet all of your cloud computing needs, from cloud hosting support and cloud storage services to cloud computing and cloud computing services and support.