Scaleway Storage Solutions and Features Explained

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Scaleway offers a range of storage solutions to meet different needs, including object storage, block storage, and file storage.

Their object storage solution, Scaleway Object Storage, is designed for large-scale data storage and retrieval, with a focus on scalability and high availability.

With Scaleway Object Storage, you can store and serve large amounts of data, such as images, videos, and documents, with a simple and intuitive API.

You can also use Scaleway Block Storage for your databases and applications, which provides high-performance storage with low latency and high IOPS.

One of the key benefits of Scaleway Block Storage is its flexibility, allowing you to resize your storage volumes as needed, without downtime.

For file storage, Scaleway offers a file system that's accessible via NFS or SMB protocols, making it easy to integrate with your existing infrastructure.

You can also use Scaleway's file storage as a central location for sharing files between teams and applications.

Storage Features

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The Scaleway CSI driver has a list of features that make it a powerful tool for managing storage. The driver is built upon the Block Storage Low Latency Scaleway product.

One of the standout features of Scaleway's Block Storage Low Latency is its ability to provide volumes with up to 15,000 IOPS. By default, created volumes have 5000 IOPS, but you can adjust this by setting the iops parameter in your StorageClass.

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Features

The Scaleway CSI driver has a list of features implemented by it.

One of the notable features is that it's built upon the Block Storage Low Latency Scaleway product, which provides volumes with up to 15,000 IOPS by default.

You can create volumes with higher IOPS by setting the iops parameter in your StorageClass, for example, to the requested number of IOPS.

The Scaleway CSI driver uses the new Scaleway Block Storage (SBS) API to manage block volumes and snapshots, which is a major breaking change from the previous Instance API.

This means that if you're currently using the v0.2.x or v0.1.x versions of the Scaleway CSI, you'll need to migrate your volumes using the sbs-migration tool to avoid any issues.

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Block Device Resizing

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Block device resizing allows for online resizing without detaching the block device, which is a convenient feature.

The Scaleway CSI driver implements this resize feature, specifically for Kubernetes environments.

You can resize your block device upwards, but decreasing its size is not supported, so plan accordingly.

This means you can easily increase the storage capacity of your block device without interrupting your workflow.

However, if you need to shrink your block device, you'll have to explore alternative solutions.

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Volume Statistics

The Scaleway CSI driver implements the NodeGetVolumeStats CSI method, which gathers statistics about used block volumes in Kubernetes. This method is exposed by kubelet, making it possible to access these metrics.

Kubelet exposes the metrics gathered by NodeGetVolumeStats, allowing for easy access to volume statistics.

Storage Compatibility

Storage compatibility is crucial when working with Scaleway, and it's essential to understand the different compatibility options available. The CSI Specification Compatibility Matrix provides a clear overview of the compatibility between Scaleway's CSI driver and different CSI versions.

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You can use the master branch of the Scaleway CSI driver with CSI versions v1.2.0, v1.6.0, and v1.8.0. However, if you're using the v0.1.x or v0.2.x branches, you'll need to be aware of the compatibility limitations.

To ensure compatibility, you can refer to the following table:

In addition, the Scaleway Storage API Compatibility Matrix highlights the importance of using the Scaleway Block Storage API for newer versions of the CSI driver (v0.3+). This ensures that your Block Volumes and Snapshots are managed correctly.

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CSI Spec Compatibility Matrix

The CSI Spec Compatibility Matrix is a crucial tool for understanding which versions of the Scaleway CSI Driver are compatible with different CSI versions. The matrix shows that the master branch of the Scaleway CSI Driver is compatible with CSI versions v1.2.0, v1.6.0, and v1.8.0.

The compatibility of the Scaleway CSI Driver with different CSI versions can be seen in the following table:

This table shows that the master branch of the Scaleway CSI Driver is compatible with all three CSI versions, but the v0.1.x and v0.2.x branches are not compatible with CSI version v1.8.0.

Storage API Compatibility Matrix

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Scaleway offers two APIs to manage Block Volumes and Snapshots: the Instance API and the Scaleway Block Storage API.

These APIs are not interchangeable, meaning a Block Volume or Snapshot managed by one API cannot be managed by the other.

In the future, all Block Volumes and Snapshots will be managed by the Scaleway Block Storage API.

To use newer versions of the CSI (v0.3+), you'll need to migrate your Block Volumes and Snapshots from the Instance API to the Scaleway Block Storage API using the sbs-migration tool.

If you use the Helm Chart, your volumes will automatically be migrated.

Here's a breakdown of the compatibility between the Scaleway CSI Driver and the Scaleway Storage API:

Requirements

To ensure seamless storage compatibility, you'll need to meet the following requirements.

A Kubernetes cluster running on Scaleway instances is the foundation of this setup, and it should be at least v1.20+.

To access and manage your cluster, you'll need a Scaleway Project or Organization ID, along with an Access and Secret key.

Helm v3 is also required for this setup, as it's used to manage and deploy applications on your Kubernetes cluster.

Here's a quick rundown of the requirements:

  • A Kubernetes cluster running on Scaleway instances (v1.20+)
  • Scaleway Project or Organization ID, Access and Secret key
  • Helm v3

Kubernetes Integration

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Scaleway's Kubernetes integration is a powerful tool for container orchestration. It allows you to use Persistent Volumes in your Kubernetes setup.

The CSI driver, a key component of this integration, supports older Kubernetes versions than those officially announced. This means you can still leverage Scaleway's features even if you're running an older version of Kubernetes.

By utilizing Persistent Volumes, you can ensure that your data is safely stored and managed within your Kubernetes cluster. This is especially important for applications that require persistent storage, such as databases or file servers.

Build and Deployment

To get started with deploying the Scaleway CSI driver, you'll need to add the Scaleway Helm repository. This is done by running the command `helm repo add scaleway https://helm.scw.cloud/` followed by `helm repo update`.

The driver can be deployed using the `helm upgrade` command. You'll need to specify the namespace, chart, and configuration values. For example, you can set the default zone to `fr-par-1` and the default project ID to `11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111`.

Review the configuration values for the Helm chart to ensure everything is set up correctly. Once deployed, you can verify that the driver is running by checking the pods in the `kube-system` namespace.

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Deployment

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To deploy the Scaleway CSI driver, start by adding the Scaleway Helm repository with the command "helm repo add scaleway https://helm.scw.cloud/". Then, update the repository with "helm repo update".

You'll need to deploy the latest release of the scaleway-csi Helm chart. This involves running the command "helm upgrade --install scaleway-csi --namespace kube-system scaleway/scaleway-csi".

The deployment process requires setting several environment variables, including SCW_DEFAULT_ZONE, SCW_DEFAULT_PROJECT_ID, SCW_ACCESS_KEY, and SCW_SECRET_KEY. You can set these values using the "--set" flag, like this: "--set controller.scaleway.env.SCW_DEFAULT_ZONE=fr-par-1 --set controller.scaleway.env.SCW_DEFAULT_PROJECT_ID=11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111 --set controller.scaleway.env.SCW_ACCESS_KEY=ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRST --set controller.scaleway.env.SCW_SECRET_KEY=11111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111".

Once the deployment is complete, you can verify that the driver is running by checking the pods in the kube-system namespace with the command "kubectl get pods -n kube-system".

Build

Building your application is an exciting step. You can build the Scaleway CSI driver executable using the following commands.

To build a local docker image named scaleway-csi for your current architecture, use the command mentioned in the example.

This command will create a docker image that you can use for development and testing.

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Reviews and Ratings

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Scaleway has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from its users. Many have praised the company's affordable pricing, with some plans starting as low as €2.99 per month.

The user interface of Scaleway's control panel is also highly praised, with many finding it easy to navigate and manage their resources. This is likely due to the company's focus on simplicity and user experience.

Users have also reported high levels of satisfaction with Scaleway's customer support, citing quick response times and helpful solutions to their problems.

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Pros from Reviewers

Scaleway's platform is simple to use, allowing users to self-provision services, which simplifies bill prediction. This ease of use is a major plus for users who value convenience and flexibility.

Scaleway's cloud backup storage is cost-effective and provides many of the same features as Amazon, making it a competitive choice for users. This is a significant advantage for users who need reliable backup solutions without breaking the bank.

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Scaleway offers high-quality technology and services at a reasonable price, making it more affordable than its competitors. This affordability is particularly appealing to small business owners and hobbyist developers who need to stay within budget.

Scaleway's comprehensive image library makes it a convenient choice for users, providing a user-friendly setup, scaling, and installation process. This library is also a major time-saver for users who need to set up and manage their services quickly.

Scaleway's support team is known for being responsive and typically provides a solution within a few hours, enhancing the user experience. This level of support is a major advantage for users who need help troubleshooting issues or setting up new services.

Here are some of the key benefits mentioned by reviewers:

  • Self-provisioning services
  • Cost-effective cloud backup storage
  • High performance at a low cost
  • Comprehensive image library
  • Responsive support team

Cons from Reviewers

Scaleway has its downsides, and some reviewers have pointed out some significant cons.

Limited server options can be a major disadvantage for users who require specific server configurations, such as building a server from ISO or installing a Windows server.

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Scaleway's lack of managed MongoDB hosting is another drawback for users who need this specific service.

Some users have reported that the price of certain services, like the dev-s server, have almost doubled due to increased R&D costs, making it less affordable for some.

Scaleway's limited locations, with only two locations in Europe, can result in slower data transfer speeds for users outside of this region.

There have been instances where Scaleway has deleted all of a user's resources due to a small, unpaid amount on their credit card, which can be seen as an extreme and unreasonable response.

Here are some of the cons from reviewers summarized in a list:

  • Limited server options
  • Lack of managed MongoDB hosting
  • Pricing changes
  • Limited locations
  • Poor handling of payment issues

Frequently Asked Questions

What is scaleway used for?

Scaleway is used for scalable storage solutions, including backup, archiving, and data storage without volume limits. It offers flexible infrastructure options for businesses and individuals to manage their data effectively.

Who is the CEO of Scaleway?

The CEO of Scaleway is Damien Lucas. He is the leader of the company behind the ai-PULSE event.

Bessie Fanetti

Senior Writer

Bessie Fanetti is an avid traveler and food enthusiast, with a passion for exploring new cultures and cuisines. She has visited over 25 countries and counting, always on the lookout for hidden gems and local favorites. In addition to her love of travel, Bessie is also a seasoned marketer with over 20 years of experience in branding and advertising.

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