Rackspace Cloud

Rackspace Cloud is the brand name for Rackspace Hosting Inc.'s cloud storage services. Rackspace Cloud includes Cloud Files, Cloud Block Storage and Cloud Backup.

Cloud Files, which was released in 2008, uses OpenStack Swift object storage. Users connect to it with the REST application programming interface (API). Rackspace Cloud Files has a pricing model that is based on usage. Customers are charged for storage usage as well as for incoming bandwidth, but are not charged for outgoing bandwidth or for maintenance. The platform also provides basic features such as replication, guaranteed uptime and mobile access. Users can manage their cloud usage through an online control panel, desktop software or a number of third-party tools that connect to the Cloud Files API.

Rackspace also offers Cloud Block Storage and Cloud Backup. Cloud Block Storage, which was released in 2012, is powered by OpenStack and competes with Amazon Elastic Block Store. It is used to deliver higher performance than object-based clouds by using a combination of hard drives and solid-state drives. Rackspace Cloud Backup provides file-level backups and uses compression, deduplication and encryption to cut storage costs and improve security.