What is object-storage wrt cloud computing

Question

I've been googling for ages trying to find information about what object storage is in relation to cloud computing but have been unable to find anything. Can anybody provide any links with succinct overviews of it?

Its not the concept of cloud storage in general I'm looking for information on, its specifically object storage, what is object storage and how does it differ from other types of storage.

Answer 1

Source http://www.softlayer.com/services/storagelayer/object-storage

"What is object-based storage?"

"It’s easiest to understand object-based storage by comparing it with other types of remote storage-block and file. A block-level storage system (such as iSCSI or most SANs) is, essentially, raw storage with no file system of its own—it leaves file system concerns to the client. In contrast, file-level storage devices (such as a NAS device) have a file system and protocol (such as NFS and SMB/CIFS) for accessing and managing data. An object-based storage system creates data containers—objects—and then writes fixed-sized blocks of un-interpreted bytes within the container, as well as assigned metadata for the object itself."

I was here looking for some information, found this question.... figured I'd post this response as an FYI, as I think the questioner was asking about the same thing as I was looking for.