Object storage support
Introduction
Xen Orchestra is compatible with a wide range of S3-compatible object storage solutions. Based on our testing and validation, we categorize storage providers into three tiers to help you understand their expected reliability and performance.
To configure an S3-compatible backup repository, see Backup repositories.
To make an S3 backup repository immutable, see S3 Object Lock.
Storage tiers explained
-
Tier 1 providers are extensively tested in our labs. We ensure Xen Orchestra aligns with their implementation and performs reliably, even at scale.
-
Tier 2 providers closely resemble Tier 1 solutions in behavior. While we offer support, minor differences may exist, and large-scale testing might be limited.
-
Tier 3 providers have implementations that differ more significantly from Tier 1. Support is provided on a best-effort basis, and some operations may be less reliable.
Supported storage providers
| Provider | Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AWS / S3 | 1 | Fully tested and validated for reliability at scale. |
| OVH | 1 | Fully tested and validated for reliability at scale. |
| Wasabi | 2 | Behaves similarly to Tier 1 but with less extensive large-scale testing. |
| CleverCloud | 2 | Behaves similarly to Tier 1 but with less extensive large-scale testing. |
| Backblaze / B2 | 3 | The list operation may time out, which will cause irrecoverable errors during the cleanVM phase |
| MinIO | 2 or 3 | Depends on performance; can be dimensioned to handle large deployment, but this is not covered by Vates support. |
| Ceph (on-premise) | 2 or 3 | Depends on performance; can be dimensioned to handle large deployment, but this is not covered by Vates support. |
| NetApp | 2 | Tier 2 support applies to ONTAP version 9.16 or later. |
What this means for your backups
The most demanding part of the backup process (cleaning and merging old data) is where tier differences matter most. Once a backup is complete, restoration is fully supported by Vates regardless of the storage tier. You can inspect the health of a backup repository (BR) at any time with the xo-backups CLI.
Currently, we don’t have a formal validation program for every provider. This list reflects our hands-on experience working with users to ensure their backups remain secure.
Help us improve storage support
We welcome collaboration with storage providers interested in pre-validating their platforms. If you can provide access and have active users, we’re happy to work with you.
If you’re using a storage solution at scale, whether successfully or with challenges, your feedback is invaluable. Reach out to us so we can refine the list and enhance support for the entire community.