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IBM Cloud Object Storage Support in OurClone

IBM Cloud Object Storage works with OurClone for sync, transfer, encrypted backup, and mounting as a local folder. Learn how to add IBM COS and use it safely.

Sync Transfer Backup Mount as Local Folder

What Is IBM Cloud Object Storage?

IBM Cloud Object Storage (IBM COS) is an S3-compatible enterprise object storage service from IBM Cloud, with cross-region, regional, and single-site resiliency tiers. OurClone connects to IBM COS for sync, transfer, encrypted backup, and mount workflows.

Official website: https://www.ibm.com/products/cloud-object-storage

  • Enterprise-grade S3-compatible storage with cross-region, regional, and single-site options.
  • Connects with HMAC credentials generated from a service credential.
  • Suitable for compliance-driven OurClone backup repositories that need long retention.

What OurClone Supports for IBM Cloud Object Storage

Operation How it works in OurClone
Sync Keep a folder on IBM Cloud Object Storage synchronized with another cloud storage account or a local folder. OurClone compares file changes and updates only what needs to change.
Transfer Copy or move files between IBM Cloud Object Storage, your Mac, and other connected cloud providers. Transfers run through your local computer, so you stay in control of the data path.
Backup Create an encrypted backup repository on IBM Cloud Object Storage, then save snapshots of local folders. Later snapshots are incremental, so unchanged files do not need to be uploaded again.
Mount Mount IBM Cloud Object Storage as a local directory in macOS or Windows, then browse and manage remote files from the operating system file manager.

IBM Cloud Object Storage Upload and Download Limits

These limits come from the storage provider or protocol, not from OurClone. OurClone still has to respect provider file-size caps, API quotas, bandwidth rules, account storage quota, and server-side throttling.

Upload limits IBM COS supports a maximum object size of 10 TB. Single PUT uploads are limited to 5 GB; larger objects must use multipart uploads with 5 MB to 5 GB parts and up to 10,000 parts per object.
Download limits Downloads are bound by object size, IAM permissions, and request-rate quotas rather than a small per-download cap. Egress charges depend on the region and resiliency tier of the bucket.
OurClone tip Use IBM COS multipart uploads for OurClone jobs over 5 GB and confirm the bucket’s resiliency tier matches your durability and cost expectations.

Source: IBM Cloud Object Storage limits

How to Add IBM Cloud Object Storage in OurClone

IBM Cloud Object Storage connects through S3-compatible HMAC credentials in OurClone.

  1. Sign in to IBM Cloud and open your Cloud Object Storage instance.
  2. Create a Service Credential with the Include HMAC Credential option enabled, then copy the access_key_id and secret_access_key.
  3. Note the bucket’s region and the matching public S3 endpoint, for example s3.us-east.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud.
  4. Open OurClone, click Add Storage, select IBM Cloud Object Storage (or S3 Compatible), enter the endpoint, HMAC credentials, region, and bucket, then connect.
Scope the service credential to one bucket where possible. Avoid using account-wide HMAC keys for routine sync, transfer, backup, or mount workflows.

Sync and Transfer Workflow

After IBM Cloud Object Storage is connected, open the Migrate area in OurClone. Choose IBM Cloud Object Storage as the source or destination, select the folders you want to work with, then choose the task mode.

  • Copy duplicates files while keeping the source unchanged.
  • Move transfers files and removes them from the source after completion.
  • Sync keeps the destination aligned with the source folder.
Select files for transfer in OurClone

Task progress is visible in the Task tab, including completed, skipped, and failed files.

Monitor transfer progress in OurClone

Backup Workflow

For backups, first create a backup repository on IBM Cloud Object Storage. A repository needs a name, a storage path, and an encryption password. Keep this password safe because it is required for both future snapshots and restores.

  1. Open Backup and create or choose a repository on IBM Cloud Object Storage.
  2. Open the repository and click New Backup.
  3. Select local folders such as ~/Documents, ~/Pictures, or a project folder.
  4. Start the snapshot. The first run uploads the full selection; later runs are incremental.
  5. Use Restore from a backup record when you need to recover files to a local directory.
Select local folders to back up in OurClone
Monitor backup progress in OurClone

Mount IBM Cloud Object Storage as a Local Folder

OurClone can mount IBM Cloud Object Storage as a local operating-system directory. This is useful when you want to browse cloud files in Finder or File Explorer, open files from desktop apps, or copy files with the same habits you use for local folders.

  • Open the mount area in OurClone and select your connected IBM Cloud Object Storage account.
  • Choose the remote path you want to expose locally.
  • Pick a local mount point, then start the mount.
  • When finished, unmount cleanly from OurClone before disconnecting your network or shutting down.
Mount cloud storage as a local folder in OurClone

Best Practices for IBM Cloud Object Storage

  • Use a clear folder naming convention such as /ourclone-backups, /sync, or /archive.
  • Confirm that your IBM Cloud Object Storage account has enough storage before running a large migration or backup.
  • Run a small test sync or restore before relying on a new workflow for important files.
  • For large first-time jobs, keep your computer awake and connected to a stable network.
  • Verify the bucket's resiliency and storage class (Standard, Vault, Cold Vault, Smart Tier) before scheduling long-term retention jobs.
  • If authentication fails later, regenerate the HMAC credential in IBM Cloud before restarting the task.