# Object Storage

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Glesys object storage is S3-compatible and can be used for various purposes, ranging from backups to distributing video files to website visitors.

Since it is S3-compatible, many tools are available for uploading and downloading files, creating backups, and more. The most well-known tool is probably `s3cmd`, which we will cover here.

Glesys Object Storage, similar to other S3-compatible solutions, is organized into three levels:

1. **Instance:** This is the top level. Instances are created in the Glesys control panel and are referred to as object storage instances. You can create multiple instances for each project in the Glesys control panel.
2. **Bucket:** An instance can contain multiple buckets. Within each bucket, you can store files, referred to as objects.
3. **Object:** These are the files stored in a bucket and referred to as objects.

## In-depth information

An instance is also referred to as an *Object Storage instance*. Each instance can contain multiple buckets.

Each instance is also a user, so to speak, where its **canonical ID** is the same as the name of the instance, for example `os-bab6e`. The user—or canonical ID—is referred to as a **Principal** within a policy file. This means that an instance can grant another instance permission to access its buckets, or certain files within them. However, this only works within the same data center.

For more information about bucket policies and canonical IDs, refer to [Define access and permissions using bucket policies](/products/storage/object-storage/how-tos/define-access-and-permissions-using-bucket-policies.md).

## Guides and documentation

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Quickstart</strong></td><td>Get up and running quickly with Object Storage.</td><td><a href="/pages/9oN92fcWpJ7LQOUcoU7g">/pages/9oN92fcWpJ7LQOUcoU7g</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>How-tos</strong></td><td>Detailed guides on how to create, manage, access, and delete Object Storage instances.</td><td><a href="/pages/Aw3aCPi4b6OvgX1o8m7f">/pages/Aw3aCPi4b6OvgX1o8m7f</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Details</strong></td><td>All the details for the Object Storage service.</td><td><a href="/pages/9GoBgzkUj45sWCoXQtQQ">/pages/9GoBgzkUj45sWCoXQtQQ</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>FAQ</strong></td><td>Frequently Asked Questions about Glesys Object Storage.</td><td><a href="/pages/8Mwfz8WGcOP2kzf8P6tl">/pages/8Mwfz8WGcOP2kzf8P6tl</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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