CLOUD FILES: FAQ

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Don't forget to visit our Compare page. It may just have the answer you need.

Here you will find our concise answers to the questions you may have on Cloud Files. However, if you can't find the answer you are looking for or need any further detail, we're here to help. Click the "chat" link or Call us on 08000 546 987.

WHAT ARE CLOUD FILES?

Cloud Files is a cost-effective, internet-based, infinite-sized, redundant storage offering from The Rackspace Cloud. Cloud Files allows users to store/retrieve files via a simple Web Service (ReST: Representational State Transfer). Files can range in size from a few bytes to extremely large and your storage grows or shrinks based on your usage. Add as much or as little as you want without worrying about over-buying/under-utilizing or running out of space. With Cloud Files, you pay for what you use and how much you use is up to you.

WHO WAS CLOUD FILES BUILT FOR?

Developers interested in using Cloud Files should be familiar with any of the following: ReSTful web-services, Python, PHP, Java, Ruby, or C#/.NET.

CLOUD FILES IS A GREAT FIT FOR MOST HOSTING APPLICATIONS.

Cloud Files can be an excellent storage solution for a number of reasons and is well suited for a number of applications:

Backups/archives of your data
Serving images/videos (streaming data to the user's browser)
Secondary/tertiary, web-accessible storage for your data
Developer friendly for application integration
Well suited when amount of storage is difficult to predict
Simple point-and-click interface via the Rackspace Cloud Control Panel

CLOUD FILES IS NOT A PERFECT FIT FOR ALL TYPES OF APPLICATIONS.

There are some applications for which Cloud Files is not an ideal solution, these include:

Native support within your Operating System. It is not possible to "mount" or "map" the Cloud Files storage system as a virtual hard-disk on your computer.
Disk mirroring or backup solutions that require byte/block level differences. There are no concepts of "append" or "file locking" operations within Cloud Files.
Data can be organized into storage compartments called "Containers," but they cannot be nested. Since there is only one top-level of Containers, you will not be able to upload a nested directory/folder structure into Cloud Files unless a transformation is performed to flatten the structure.

IS THERE AN SLA FOR CLOUD FILES?

Of course! As service and support is so important to us, an SLA is essential. Click here to view.

HOW CAN I PURCHASE A CLOUD FILES ACCOUNT?

You can buy Rackspace Cloud Online simply click here to Buy. You can also call 08000 546 987 and speak to one of our Cloud specialists or click the "Start a Chat" button.