Alibaba Cloud Storage Gateway vs NetApp Global File Cache
Alibaba Cloud Storage Gateway
alibabacloud.comNetApp Global File Cache
bluexp.netapp.comSide by side
| Figure | Alibaba Cloud Storage Gateway | NetApp Global File Cache |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $20.83/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Cloud Storage Gateway Software | 8.6 (#4) | 8.2 (#6) |
| Caching | Intelligent caching keeps hot data locally and uploads colder data to OSS. | Only locally relevant active datasets are cached, and least-recently-used cached files are cleared as the active dataset changes. |
| Deployment | Gateways can be deployed in a data center or on Alibaba Cloud, and cloud gateways can run on ECS instances. | The onboarding guide describes Core and Edge instances deployed on Windows Server virtual machines, including VMware and Hyper-V templates. |
| Integrations | Related services include Object Storage Service, Elastic Compute Service, CloudMonitor, and File Storage NAS. | The solution integrates with Active Directory, access control lists, NTFS permissions, and DFS Namespaces. |
| Purpose | Cloud Storage Gateway connects on-premises or cloud applications to OSS buckets through standard file and block storage protocols without requiring application changes. | Global File Cache centralizes unstructured data in cloud storage and caches active datasets at distributed offices. |
| Support | The product page advertises 24/7 technical support, presale consultation and six free support tickets per quarter. | For GFC users with Cloud Volumes ONTAP, the onboarding page lists guided problem solving, documentation, case management, a knowledgebase, downloads, and tools, plus a phone number for P1 issues. |
Plans
Alibaba Cloud Storage Gateway
- Cloud Storage GatewayPriced on request
NetApp Global File Cache
- Global File Cache Subscription, 1 Year$250 a year
In their own words
Alibaba Cloud Storage Gateway
Alibaba Cloud Storage Gateway connects on-premises or cloud applications to Alibaba Cloud OSS buckets through standard file and block protocols, without application changes. File gateways provide NFS or SMB access, while iSCSI gateways provide block access. Frequently used file data can be cached locally while OSS supplies storage capacity. Gateways run in a data center or on Alibaba Cloud, including ECS instances, with VMware, Hyper-V, KVM, VHD, Qcow2, and Raw deployment options. Management is available through a web console or API. Resource Access Management grants specific permissions without sharing AccessKey pairs. Data transferred to OSS is encrypted, and customer-managed-key server-side encryption is available. MD5 checks consistency; logs and monitoring metrics record gateway activity. File gateways support POSIX and third-party backup software. Use cases include extending local storage, backup and sharing, cross-data-center access, and disaster recovery. There is no free plan.
NetApp Global File Cache
NetApp Global File Cache centralizes unstructured data in cloud storage while giving distributed offices access to active files. Core and Edge instances form the deployment, with Edge instances serving branches through an intelligent cache and virtual file share. The cache keeps locally relevant active datasets and clears least-recently-used cached files as that dataset changes. SMB provides access, and global locking supports consistency when people collaborate on files. Storage options include Azure NetApp Files, Cloud Volumes ONTAP and Cloud Volumes Service, subject to availability in the cloud environment. Integrations include Active Directory, access control lists, NTFS permissions and DFS Namespaces; deployments can also incorporate DNS/DHCP and SCCM software distribution services. The onboarding guide describes Core and Edge instances on Windows Server virtual machines, including VMware and Hyper-V templates. Cloud deployments require a minimum of 8 vCPU and 32 GB RAM. The licensing service needs HTTPS access over TCP port 443, and licensing is activated in the software UI using a subscription number. The listed one-year subscription is $250 a year; the schedule labels billing MTH. Pricing is also described as available on request.