New Online Storage Provider
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You know about most online storage options, but how about online storage optimized for media? Those files and formats you hate dealing with, because users want unlimited storage, the files are too big, and you have to translate file formats?
A new company, Nirvanix (.com) wants to be "the premier provider of Internet storage optimized for media" according to CEO Patrick Harr. "We're providing the back end for a business to business storage and delivery service targeted to support the high growth of digital media and user generated content," said Harr during a phone interview. Pricing is 18 cents per gigabyte storage per month, and either 16 or 18 cents per gigabyte transferred, depending on volume.
Amazon's S3 storage service may have the brand name and mind share right now, but Harr says Nirvanix has four advantages over Amazon. First, they are a full file system and provide all the typical file system tools applications expect, including a full directory structure supporting millions of child accounts.
Second, the file service is a full cluster file service with a single file system and global name space. This allows load balancing by replicating popular files by node to handle traffic surges, then pulling back the replicated files after demand slows. Third, they claim a better Service Level Agreement than Amazon, and all storage is RAID 6 and above.
Finally, they actually process the media files, not just store them. APIs exist for applications to call for image manipulation like rotating and zooming. File format transcoding makes format changing as easy as file transfer. I want to see this feature in action before commenting further.
Harr expects to see three categories of customer for his service. Tier 3 customers get self-service options and sign up through their portal. Tier 1 and Tier 2 customers will work direct with Nirvanix and reseller partners to resell some or all of the service features and raw online storage space.
Who should be most excited? Harr says Web 2.0 companies, heavy into photo, audio, and video sharing, are great candidates. Traditional online backups certainly work, as do those companies using a Webtop model integrating online storage and applications.
Everyone needs more storage now and then, and the online market should have room for another player. If you don't trust Google or Amazon for any of several potential reasons, Nirvanix may be for you.
ITworld.com
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