How is Object Storage typically accessed?

Object Storage is primarily accessed using APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). This method allows applications to interact with cloud storage services by sending requests to create, read, update, or delete objects stored in the cloud. APIs offer a flexible and standardized way to perform operations on stored data, typically through RESTful interfaces. This means developers can easily integrate object storage into their applications without the need for complex protocols or configurations associated with more traditional storage access methods.

Accessing Object Storage through APIs provides advantages such as scalability, durability, and ease of use, as the API-driven model is designed to manage a vast amount of unstructured data efficiently. Additionally, using APIs aligns well with cloud-native architectures, allowing the seamless integration of storage solutions into modern applications.

In contrast, accessing storage via LUNs (Logical Unit Numbers) is more common in block storage systems, focusing on providing raw storage space to be formatted with a file system. Drives typically refer to physical hardware or traditional disk drives, which are again more associated with block storage. The management plane refers to the interfaces and tools used for managing resources rather than for directly accessing storage data. Thus, the API method distinctly characterizes the typical access mechanism for Object Storage.