Ceph
Summary
What it is
A distributed storage system providing object, block, and file storage in a unified platform. S3 compatibility via its RADOS Gateway (RGW).
Where it fits
Ceph is the enterprise-grade, self-managed storage platform for organizations that need S3-compatible object storage alongside block and file access from a single infrastructure.
Misconceptions / Traps
- Ceph is not just an object store — it is a unified storage platform. The S3 gateway is one component. Operational complexity is significantly higher than MinIO.
- S3 API coverage in Ceph RGW is broad but not complete. Test specific API operations (multipart uploads, lifecycle policies) before production use.
Key Connections
implementsS3 API — via RADOS GatewaysolvesVendor Lock-In — self-hosted deployment optionscoped_toS3, Object Storage — participates in the S3-compatible ecosystem
Definition
What it is
A distributed storage system providing object, block, and file storage in a single unified platform. Exposes S3 compatibility through its RADOS Gateway (RGW) component.
Why it exists
Infrastructure operators need a single storage platform that can serve multiple protocols. Ceph's S3 gateway allows existing S3 workloads to run against self-managed, software-defined storage.
Primary use cases
Unified on-premise storage, S3-compatible private cloud, research and academic data infrastructure.
Relationships
Resources
Official Ceph documentation hub covering all components including RADOS, RBD, CephFS, and the S3-compatible object gateway.
Dedicated S3 API compatibility reference for Ceph's RADOS Gateway, detailing which S3 operations are supported and how.
The main Ceph repository with the full source including the radosgw S3 implementation.