4.3. Manage Containers

OpenStack Object Storage (swift) stores its objects (data) in containers, which are similar to directories in a file system although they cannot be nested. Containers provide an easy way for users to store any kind of unstructured data; for example, objects might include photos, text files, or images. Stored objects are not encrypted nor are they compressed.
To help with organization, pseudo-folders are logical devices that can contain objects (and can be nested). For example, you might create an 'Images' folder in which to store pictures and a 'Media' folder in which to store videos.
You can create one or more containers in each project, and one or more objects or pseudo-folders in each container.

4.3.1. Create a Container

  1. In the dashboard, select Project > Object Store > Containers.
  2. Click Create Container.
  3. Specify the Container Name, and select one of the following in the Container Access field.
    Type Description
    Private Limits access to a user in the current project.
    Public Permits API access to anyone with the public URL. However, in the dashboard, project users cannot see public containers and data from other projects.
  4. Click Create Container.

4.3.2. Create Pseudo Folder for Container

  1. In the dashboard, select Project > Object Store > Containers.
  2. Click the name of the container to which you want to add the pseudo-folder.
  3. Click Create Pseudo-folder.
  4. Specify the name in the Pseudo-folder Name field, and click Create.

4.3.3. Upload an Object

If you do not upload an actual file, the object is still created (as placeholder) and can later be used to upload the file.
  1. In the dashboard, select Project > Object Store > Containers.
  2. Click the name of the container in which the uploaded object will be placed; if a pseudo-folder already exists in the container, you can click its name.
  3. Browse for your file, and click Upload Object.
  4. Specify a name in the Object Name field:
    • Pseudo-folders can be specified in the name using a '/' character (for example, 'Images/myImage.jpg'). If the specified folder does not already exist, it is created when the object is uploaded.
    • A name that is not unique to the location (that is, the object already exists) overwrites the object's contents.
  5. Click Upload Object.

4.3.4. Copy an Object

  1. In the dashboard, select Project > Object Store > Containers.
  2. Click the name of the object's container or folder (to display the object).
  3. Click Upload Object.
  4. Browse for the file to be copied, and select Copy in its arrow menu.
  5. Specify the following:
    Field Description
    Destination container Target container for the new object.
    Path Pseudo-folder in the destination container; if the folder does not already exist, it is created.
    Destination object name
    New object's name. If you use a name that is not unique to the location (that is, the object already exists), it overwrites the object's previous contents.
  6. Click Copy Object.

4.3.5. Delete an Object

  1. In the dashboard, select Project > Object Store > Containers.
  2. Browse for the object, and select Delete Object in its arrow menu.
  3. Click Delete Object to confirm the object's removal.

4.3.6. Delete a Container

  1. In the dashboard, select Project > Object Store > Containers.
  2. Browse for the container in the Containers section, and ensure all objects have been deleted (see Section 4.3.5, “Delete an Object”).
  3. Select Delete Container in the container's arrow menu.
  4. Click Delete Container to confirm the container's removal.