Gamer Cloud: Useful Software Kiwami[OVHcloud] A brief comparison and review of the best hosting services for gamers
The digital landscape of gaming and streaming demands robust and reliable storage solutions. As gameplay videos grow in resolution and length, and save data accumulates across countless titles, the need for efficient and secure cloud storage becomes paramount. This comprehensive review meticulously examines OVHcloud, a prominent player in the cloud computing arena, through the lens of a gamer and streamer. We will dissect its offerings, evaluating its strengths and weaknesses to provide an unbiased assessment of its suitability for this specialized user base. Our analysis, grounded in authoritative academic and industry publications, aims to equip you with the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision regarding your cloud storage needs.
Rated on a 100-point scale for compatibility with storing gameplay videos and save data
Overall Compatibility Score: 78/100
OVHcloud presents a compelling, albeit nuanced, option for storing gameplay videos and save data. Its inherent strengths in raw storage capacity and competitive pricing are significant advantages, particularly for users generating large volumes of high-definition content. However, certain aspects, such as the direct integration with gaming platforms and the immediate accessibility features often desired by streamers, warrant a more critical examination.
For gameplay videos, OVHcloud scores highly on raw storage capacity and cost-effectiveness per terabyte. The ability to store vast libraries of 4K or even 8K footage without prohibitive costs is a major draw. Its object storage solutions, such as OVHcloud Object Storage powered by OpenStack Swift, are designed for scalability and durability, making them suitable for archival purposes and long-term retention of video assets. The distributed nature of object storage inherently offers resilience against data loss, a critical factor for irreplaceable gameplay footage. However, the direct streaming of these videos from OVHcloud's object storage to platforms like Twitch or YouTube, while technically feasible, might require additional configuration and could introduce latency depending on the chosen region and network infrastructure. For immediate, high-bandwidth streaming directly from the cloud, dedicated virtual private servers (VPS) or public cloud instances with ample egress bandwidth might be a more direct, albeit more expensive, solution. The score reflects a strong capability for storing and archiving videos, but a slightly lower score for direct, real-time streaming without additional architectural considerations.
Regarding save data, OVHcloud's compatibility is also strong, particularly for users comfortable with manual synchronization or those employing third-party tools. For instance, using a virtual private server (VPS) on OVHcloud to host a personal cloud solution (e.g., Nextcloud or OwnCloud) allows for robust synchronization of save data across multiple devices (Building a Private Cloud with OpenStack). This approach offers granular control over data and security. However, for users seeking a simple, "set-it-and-forget-it" solution akin to platform-native cloud saves (e.g., Steam Cloud, PlayStation Plus cloud saves), OVHcloud does not offer a direct, integrated service. The onus is on the user to implement and manage the synchronization. The reliability of OVHcloud's infrastructure, however, ensures that once save data is uploaded, it is protected against hardware failures and data corruption through redundancy mechanisms (Data Storage: Principles, Systems, Technologies). The score here reflects excellent underlying infrastructure for data integrity, but a need for user-side implementation for seamless integration with gaming workflows.
The overall score of 78/100 reflects a powerful, flexible, and cost-effective storage solution that requires a degree of technical proficiency and architectural planning from the user to fully leverage its potential for gaming and streaming. It is not an out-of-the-box, plug-and-play solution for every gaming and streaming need, but rather a robust platform upon which tailored solutions can be built.
Ideal for storing what kind of gameplay videos and save data
OVHcloud is particularly well-suited for specific types of gameplay videos and save data, catering to users with particular needs and technical aptitudes.
For gameplay videos, OVHcloud excels in storing:
High-resolution, unedited raw footage: Streamers and content creators often record gameplay in 4K, 8K, or even higher resolutions at high bitrates. These files are massive and quickly consume local storage. OVHcloud's object storage offers a cost-effective solution for archiving these raw files before editing, or for long-term preservation of original content (Digital Video and HD: Algorithms and Interfaces). The scalability of object storage means users can expand their storage as their content library grows without significant architectural changes.
Archival footage for long-term preservation: For streamers who wish to keep a complete history of their broadcasts, or for competitive gamers who want to review past matches, OVHcloud provides a reliable and durable archive. The geo-redundancy options available with some object storage offerings further enhance the safety of these invaluable assets.
Edited video masters: Once videos are edited and rendered, the master files can also be stored on OVHcloud. This ensures that high-quality versions are always available for re-uploading, repurposing, or future projects, independent of local hardware.
Large game asset libraries: While not strictly gameplay videos, game developers or modders who also stream might find OVHcloud useful for storing large asset libraries (textures, models, audio files) that are too large for local storage or require collaborative access.
For save data, OVHcloud is ideal for:
Large, complex save files from open-world or simulation games: Games with extensive worlds and intricate player choices often generate very large save files. Storing these on OVHcloud, especially via a personal cloud instance on a VPS, provides a robust backup solution that can be accessed from multiple machines.
Multi-platform save data synchronization (with user implementation): For gamers who play the same title across PC, console (if supported by the game's save system), or cloud gaming services, OVHcloud can serve as a central repository for save data. This requires the user to implement synchronization scripts or use third-party tools to push and pull save files to and from the OVHcloud storage. This is particularly useful for games that do not offer native cross-platform cloud saves.
Critical save data for competitive or long-term progression games: Losing progress in a highly competitive game or a game with hundreds of hours of investment can be devastating. OVHcloud provides a secure off-site backup for such critical save data, protecting against local hardware failure, accidental deletion, or even ransomware attacks.
Save data for emulated games: Enthusiasts of retro gaming often manage large collections of emulated games and their associated save states. OVHcloud can provide a centralized, accessible, and durable storage solution for these files, allowing for seamless continuation of gameplay across different emulation setups.
In essence, OVHcloud is best suited for users who prioritize raw storage capacity, data durability, and cost-effectiveness, and who are comfortable with a degree of technical configuration to integrate the cloud storage into their specific gaming and streaming workflows. It's less for the casual user seeking a fully automated, platform-integrated cloud save solution, and more for the power user or content creator who needs a robust backend for their digital assets.
Basic performance and features
OVHcloud offers a diverse portfolio of cloud services, each with varying performance characteristics and features relevant to storage. For gamers and streamers, the most pertinent services are typically Object Storage, Block Storage, and Virtual Private Servers (VPS) or Public Cloud instances.
Object Storage (e.g., OVHcloud Object Storage powered by OpenStack Swift):
Performance: Object storage is optimized for high throughput and scalability, rather than low-latency, random access. This means it's excellent for uploading and downloading large files sequentially, such as entire gameplay videos. However, it's not designed for applications requiring frequent, small, random read/write operations, like directly running a game from the storage or rapidly accessing individual save file fragments. Typical latency for object storage can range from tens to hundreds of milliseconds, which is acceptable for archival and large file transfers but too high for real-time gaming. Bandwidth can be substantial, often in the gigabits per second range, depending on the region and network conditions.
Features:
Scalability: Virtually unlimited storage capacity, expanding on demand.
Durability: Data is stored redundantly across multiple nodes and often multiple data centers, ensuring high durability (e.g., 11 nines of durability, meaning a very low probability of data loss).
Availability: High availability, meaning data is accessible even if some underlying hardware fails.
API Access: Accessible via OpenStack Swift API, allowing for programmatic integration with applications and scripts.
Versioning: Option to retain multiple versions of an object, protecting against accidental overwrites or deletions.
Geographic Redundancy: Data can be replicated across different geographical regions for enhanced disaster recovery.
Cost-effectiveness: Generally the most cost-effective option for large-scale, long-term storage.
Block Storage (e.g., OVHcloud Block Storage):
Performance: Block storage is designed to emulate traditional hard drives or SSDs, offering lower latency and higher IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) compared to object storage. This makes it suitable for scenarios where a virtual machine needs a persistent, high-performance disk. Performance varies significantly based on the chosen tier (e.g., standard HDD-backed vs. high-performance SSD-backed). SSD-backed block storage can offer single-digit millisecond latency and thousands of IOPS, making it suitable for operating systems, databases, or even running certain applications directly.
Features:
Persistent Storage: Data persists independently of the virtual machine it's attached to.
Attachable to Instances: Can be attached and detached from virtual machines (VPS, Public Cloud instances).
Snapshots: Ability to create point-in-time snapshots for backup and recovery.
Encryption: Data at rest can be encrypted for enhanced security.
Scalability: Can be scaled up in size, though typically with limits per volume.
Virtual Private Servers (VPS) and Public Cloud Instances:
Performance: These services provide a virtualized computing environment with dedicated CPU, RAM, and network resources. Performance is highly dependent on the chosen instance type (e.g., CPU cores, clock speed, RAM amount, network bandwidth). For tasks like transcoding videos, running personal cloud software (e.g., Nextcloud for save data sync), or hosting a game server, the computational power and network egress bandwidth are critical. OVHcloud offers a range of instances, from entry-level VPS to high-performance public cloud instances with dedicated GPUs, which could be relevant for advanced streaming setups or video rendering. Network performance, particularly egress bandwidth, is crucial for streamers. OVHcloud generally offers competitive bandwidth, but specific guarantees vary by service and region.
Features:
Full Root Access: Users have complete control over the operating system.
Customization: Ability to install any software, configure network settings, and manage services.
Scalability: Instances can be scaled up or down in terms of resources (CPU, RAM, storage) as needed.
Snapshots and Backups: Tools for creating snapshots and automated backups of the entire instance.
Network Configuration: Advanced networking options, including private networks, firewalls, and load balancers.
In summary, OVHcloud's basic performance and features are robust and enterprise-grade. For gamers and streamers, this translates to highly scalable and durable storage for large media files (Object Storage), high-performance persistent storage for virtual machines (Block Storage), and flexible computing environments for custom solutions (VPS/Public Cloud). The key is understanding which service best fits a particular need, as each is optimized for different workloads.
Reliability and security
Reliability and security are paramount concerns for any cloud storage solution, especially when dealing with irreplaceable gameplay footage and critical save data. OVHcloud, as a major cloud provider, places significant emphasis on these aspects, leveraging industry best practices and certifications.
Reliability: OVHcloud's reliability stems from its extensive global infrastructure and architectural design principles.
Data Center Infrastructure: OVHcloud operates numerous data centers across multiple continents. These facilities are designed with redundancy at every level: power (multiple UPS systems, generators), cooling, and network connectivity. This ensures that even if a component fails, the overall service remains operational.
Network Redundancy: The OVHcloud network is built with multiple redundant links and peering agreements, minimizing single points of failure and ensuring high availability and low latency. This is crucial for both uploading large video files and accessing stored data.
Hardware Redundancy: Within their storage solutions, OVHcloud employs redundant hardware configurations. For instance, in their object storage, data is typically replicated across multiple storage nodes and often across different racks or even data centers. This means that if a disk or an entire server fails, the data remains accessible from other copies.
SLA (Service Level Agreement): OVHcloud provides SLAs for its various services, guaranteeing a certain level of uptime. While specific percentages vary by service (e.g., 99.9% for some VPS, higher for dedicated servers), these SLAs provide a contractual commitment to reliability.
Disaster Recovery: The distributed nature of OVHcloud's infrastructure, particularly its object storage with geo-redundancy options, inherently supports disaster recovery. In the event of a regional outage, data can often be recovered from a replicated copy in another geographical location.
Security: OVHcloud implements a multi-layered security approach, addressing physical, network, and data security concerns.
Physical Security: Data centers are secured with stringent physical access controls, including biometric scanners, surveillance cameras, and 24/7 security personnel. Access to servers and data is highly restricted.
Network Security:
DDoS Protection: OVHcloud is well-known for its robust anti-DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection, which is automatically included with many of its services. This is particularly relevant for streamers who can be targets of malicious attacks.
Firewalls: Configurable firewalls allow users to control network traffic to and from their instances, limiting exposure to unauthorized access.
Private Networks (vRack): For users with multiple OVHcloud services, vRack allows for the creation of private, isolated networks between instances, enhancing security by keeping internal traffic off the public internet.
Data Security:
Encryption at Rest: OVHcloud offers options for encrypting data at rest, particularly for block storage volumes. This ensures that even if physical storage media were compromised, the data would remain unreadable without the encryption key.
Encryption in Transit: All data transfers to and from OVHcloud services should ideally be secured using industry-standard encryption protocols like TLS/SSL, which is supported by their APIs and client tools.
Access Control: Users have granular control over access to their cloud resources through identity and access management (IAM) tools, allowing them to define who can access what data and services.
Compliance: OVHcloud adheres to various international and industry-specific compliance standards (e.g., ISO 27001, GDPR), which demonstrates a commitment to robust security practices and data privacy.
Data Sovereignty: As a European company, OVHcloud operates under strict European data protection laws, which can be a significant advantage for users concerned about data sovereignty and privacy compared to providers operating under different legal frameworks.
While OVHcloud provides a secure and reliable foundation, it's crucial to remember the shared responsibility model in cloud security. Users are responsible for securing their own applications, operating systems, and configurations within their OVHcloud instances, as well as managing their access credentials securely.
Interface and ease of use
The interface and ease of use for OVHcloud services can be characterized as functional and powerful, but with a learning curve that might be steeper for users accustomed to more consumer-oriented cloud storage solutions. It is designed for technical users and developers, offering extensive control and configuration options.
OVHcloud Control Panel:
Functionality: The primary interface for managing all OVHcloud services is the web-based Control Panel. It provides a centralized dashboard for provisioning, configuring, and monitoring services like VPS, Public Cloud instances, Object Storage, and network settings.
Complexity: For a new user, especially one without prior experience in cloud infrastructure management, the Control Panel can initially feel overwhelming. The sheer number of options, sub-menus, and technical terminology can be daunting (Human-Computer Interaction). It is not as streamlined or simplified as interfaces found in services like Google Drive or Dropbox, which are designed for immediate, intuitive file synchronization.
Learning Curve: Mastering the OVHcloud Control Panel requires an investment of time and effort. Users will need to understand concepts like regions, availability zones, object storage containers, block storage volumes, network interfaces, and security groups. However, once familiar, the interface offers powerful control over one's cloud environment.
API-First Approach: OVHcloud, like many enterprise cloud providers, has an "API-first" philosophy. This means that virtually every action performable through the Control Panel can also be executed programmatically via their APIs (e.g., OpenStack Swift API for object storage, OVHcloud API for other services). For technically proficient users, this allows for automation, scripting, and integration with custom workflows, which can significantly enhance ease of use for repetitive tasks (RESTful Web Services).
Specific Service Interfaces:
Object Storage: While managed through the Control Panel for provisioning, interacting with object storage (uploading/downloading files) typically involves using command-line tools (e.g., swift client), third-party GUI clients (e.g., Cyberduck, CloudBerry Explorer), or integrating with applications via the OpenStack Swift API. There isn't a simple drag-and-drop web interface for file management akin to consumer cloud drives. This requires users to be comfortable with command-line operations or configuring third-party software.
VPS/Public Cloud: Managing a VPS or Public Cloud instance involves interacting with the operating system directly, usually via SSH (Secure Shell) for Linux instances or Remote Desktop for Windows. This requires knowledge of system administration, command-line commands, and software installation. For gamers and streamers, this means setting up file synchronization tools (e.g., rsync, Nextcloud client), video processing software, or streaming applications themselves.
Ease of Use for Gamers and Streamers:
Initial Setup: The initial setup for a tailored gaming/streaming storage solution on OVHcloud is not "easy" in the consumer sense. It requires planning, configuration, and potentially scripting. For example, setting up a Nextcloud instance on a VPS for save data synchronization involves installing an operating system, web server, database, and Nextcloud software.
Daily Operations: Once configured, daily operations can be relatively smooth, especially if automation is in place. For instance, a script could automatically upload recorded gameplay videos to object storage after a stream, or a Nextcloud client could silently synchronize save data. However, troubleshooting issues or making significant changes will again require technical expertise.
Comparison to Consumer Services: Compared to services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or even dedicated gaming cloud saves (Steam Cloud), OVHcloud is significantly less "easy" out-of-the-box. These consumer services abstract away the underlying infrastructure, offering simple file explorers and automatic synchronization. OVHcloud, conversely, provides the building blocks for users to construct their own highly customized and powerful solutions.
In conclusion, OVHcloud's interface and ease of use are geared towards technical users and developers. It offers immense flexibility and power, but at the cost of a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with cloud infrastructure and system administration. For gamers and streamers willing to invest the time in learning and configuration, it provides a robust and customizable platform.
Guidance and support
OVHcloud provides a multi-tiered approach to guidance and support, catering to a range of user needs from self-service documentation to direct technical assistance. The quality and responsiveness of support can vary depending on the service level purchased and the complexity of the issue.
Documentation and Knowledge Base:
Extensive Guides: OVHcloud maintains a comprehensive online documentation portal and knowledge base. These resources cover a vast array of topics, including getting started guides, tutorials for specific services (e.g., setting up a VPS, using object storage APIs), troubleshooting articles, and best practices.
API Documentation: Detailed API documentation is available for developers looking to integrate OVHcloud services into their applications or scripts. This is crucial for automating tasks related to video uploads or save data management.
Community Forums: OVHcloud hosts community forums where users can ask questions, share solutions, and interact with other OVHcloud users and sometimes official representatives. These forums can be a valuable resource for finding solutions to common problems or learning from others' experiences.
Quality: The quality of documentation is generally high, offering technical depth. However, like many enterprise-focused platforms, some documentation might assume a certain level of technical understanding, which could be challenging for absolute beginners.
Direct Support Channels:
Ticketing System: The primary method for direct technical support is through a ticketing system accessible via the OVHcloud Control Panel. Users can submit detailed descriptions of their issues, and support agents will respond. Response times can vary based on the severity of the issue and the user's support plan.
Telephone Support: Telephone support is available, often with different tiers based on the support plan. This allows for more immediate communication for critical issues.
Live Chat: For some services or regions, live chat support may be available for quick queries or initial troubleshooting.
Support Plans: OVHcloud offers various support plans, ranging from basic (included with services) to advanced and premium plans. Higher-tier plans typically offer faster response times, dedicated support engineers, and more proactive assistance, which can be crucial for business-critical operations or complex setups. For a streamer whose livelihood depends on their cloud infrastructure, investing in a higher support tier might be a wise decision.
Guidance for Gamers and Streamers:
General Purpose: OVHcloud's guidance and support are general-purpose for cloud infrastructure. There are typically no specific guides or support channels tailored explicitly for "gamers" or "streamers" in the context of optimizing storage for gameplay videos or save data. Users will need to adapt the general cloud documentation to their specific use cases.
Technical Expertise Required: When encountering issues, users will often need to articulate their problem in technical terms. For instance, a problem with slow video uploads might require understanding network diagnostics, while a save data synchronization issue might involve debugging a script or a personal cloud application.
Proactive vs. Reactive: Support is generally reactive, meaning it responds to issues reported by the user. For complex, custom setups, users are largely responsible for the initial design and implementation.
In summary, OVHcloud provides robust guidance through its extensive documentation and offers various direct support channels. However, users, especially gamers and streamers, should be prepared to leverage these resources with a degree of technical self-sufficiency. The support is designed for cloud infrastructure users, not specifically for gaming applications, meaning users will need to bridge that gap themselves or rely on community resources for gaming-specific advice.
Feedback and user experiences
User experiences with OVHcloud, particularly among technical users, developers, and small to medium-sized businesses, generally highlight its strengths in cost-effectiveness, raw performance, and data sovereignty. However, feedback also frequently points to areas where the user experience could be improved, particularly concerning ease of use for less technical individuals and the consistency of support.
Positive Feedback and Experiences:
Cost-Effectiveness: A recurring theme in user feedback is the competitive pricing of OVHcloud services, especially for raw storage and dedicated server offerings. Many users find that they can achieve significant cost savings compared to larger, more established hyperscale cloud providers, particularly for high-bandwidth and high-storage needs. For streamers generating terabytes of video, this is a major advantage.
Performance and Reliability: Users often praise the raw performance of OVHcloud's infrastructure, including network speeds and the stability of their dedicated servers and VPS instances. The robust anti-DDoS protection is frequently cited as a significant benefit, especially for online services and gaming applications that are susceptible to attacks. The reliability of their data centers and redundant systems is also well-regarded.
Data Sovereignty and Privacy: As a European company, OVHcloud's adherence to GDPR and other strict European data protection laws is a strong selling point for users concerned about data privacy and sovereignty. This is particularly appealing to users who wish to avoid storing their data under the jurisdiction of certain other countries.
Control and Flexibility: Technical users appreciate the high degree of control and flexibility offered by OVHcloud. The ability to customize server configurations, network settings, and leverage APIs for automation is highly valued. This allows for the creation of highly tailored solutions for specific needs, such as a custom video archiving system or a personal cloud for save data.
Community: The active community forums are often cited as a helpful resource, where users can find solutions, share knowledge, and get peer support.
Areas for Improvement and Common Criticisms:
User Interface and Ease of Use: This is one of the most common criticisms. Many users, especially those new to cloud computing, find the OVHcloud Control Panel to be less intuitive and more complex than those of competitors. The learning curve can be steep, and the interface is often described as functional but not particularly user-friendly or aesthetically modern (Designing for Usability). This can be a barrier for gamers and streamers who are not also experienced system administrators.
Support Consistency: While some users report excellent support experiences, others describe inconsistencies in response times and the depth of technical assistance, particularly with basic support plans. Complex issues might require multiple interactions or escalation. This can be frustrating when dealing with critical infrastructure.
Documentation Clarity for Beginners: While extensive, some users find the documentation to be highly technical and less accessible for those without a strong background in cloud infrastructure. There's a perceived lack of "how-to" guides specifically tailored for less technical use cases.
Onboarding Experience: The initial onboarding process for new users can be challenging due to the complexity of the platform and the need for technical understanding.
Regional Differences: While OVHcloud has a global presence, some users report variations in service availability, performance, or support quality across different geographical regions.
Feedback Specific to Gaming/Streaming Use Cases: For gamers and streamers, the feedback often revolves around the need for technical proficiency. Those who are comfortable with Linux command lines, scripting, and server management tend to have very positive experiences, as they can build highly optimized and cost-effective solutions. Those who expect a "plug-and-play" experience, similar to consumer cloud drives, often express frustration with the complexity and the need for manual configuration for tasks like video uploads or save data synchronization. The general consensus is that OVHcloud is a powerful tool for those who know how to wield it, but it's not designed for the casual user.
Plan structure
OVHcloud offers a diverse and granular plan structure across its various services, allowing users to select resources that precisely match their needs and budget. This modular approach, while offering flexibility, also contributes to the complexity of understanding the overall cost and optimal configuration. For gamers and streamers, the most relevant plan structures will be for Object Storage, Block Storage, and Virtual Private Servers (VPS) or Public Cloud instances.
1. Object Storage (e.g., OVHcloud Object Storage):
Pricing Model: Typically follows a pay-as-you-go model based on three main components:
Storage Capacity: Charged per gigabyte (GB) or terabyte (TB) per month for the data stored. This is usually a very competitive rate, making it ideal for large archives of gameplay videos.
Outbound Traffic (Egress): Charged per GB for data transferred out of the OVHcloud network. Inbound traffic (ingress) is often free. This is a critical cost factor for streamers who might need to download large video files for editing or transfer them to other platforms. OVHcloud often includes a significant amount of free egress bandwidth or offers very competitive rates compared to some hyperscale providers.
API Requests: A small charge per 10,000 requests (e.g., PUT, GET, DELETE operations). For typical archival use, this cost is usually negligible.
Tiers/Options: OVHcloud may offer different tiers of object storage, such as standard or cold storage, with varying costs and access speeds. Cold storage is cheaper but has higher retrieval latency and potentially retrieval fees, making it suitable for very long-term, infrequently accessed archives.
Geographic Regions: Pricing can vary slightly by data center region.
Example Use Case: A streamer storing 10 TB of raw 4K gameplay footage would primarily pay for the storage capacity and any egress bandwidth used when downloading files for editing or uploading to YouTube.
2. Block Storage (e.g., OVHcloud Block Storage):
Pricing Model: Primarily based on:
Storage Capacity: Charged per GB per month for the provisioned volume.
IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second): Some tiers might offer guaranteed IOPS, which can influence the price. Higher IOPS are more expensive.
Tiers/Options: OVHcloud offers different performance tiers, typically backed by SSDs for higher performance and HDDs for more cost-effective bulk storage. SSD-backed volumes are more expensive per GB but offer significantly better latency and IOPS, making them suitable for operating systems or applications requiring fast disk access.
Snapshots: Charged per GB per month for the data stored in snapshots.
Example Use Case: A gamer hosting a personal cloud (e.g., Nextcloud) on a VPS to sync save data might attach an SSD-backed block storage volume for the operating system and Nextcloud data, paying for the provisioned GB and potentially for snapshots.
3. Virtual Private Servers (VPS) and Public Cloud Instances:
Pricing Model: Typically charged hourly or monthly, based on the allocated resources:
CPU: Number of virtual cores and sometimes CPU generation/speed.
RAM: Amount of memory in GB.
Local Storage: Amount of local SSD or NVMe storage included with the instance (distinct from separate block storage).
Network Bandwidth: Often includes a certain amount of free egress bandwidth, with additional usage charged per GB. Ingress is usually free.
Tiers/Ranges: OVHcloud offers a wide range of VPS and Public Cloud instances, from entry-level VPS with modest resources to high-performance Public Cloud instances with many CPU cores, large amounts of RAM, and even dedicated GPUs (for specific use cases like video rendering or advanced streaming).
Operating System Licenses: Some operating systems (e.g., Windows Server) incur additional licensing costs.
Snapshots/Backups: Additional services like automated backups or snapshots of the entire instance are typically add-ons with their own pricing structure.
Example Use Case: A streamer might use a Public Cloud instance with a good CPU and ample RAM to run a personal cloud server for save data synchronization and potentially a media server for local network access to videos. They would pay for the instance's resources and any egress bandwidth beyond the free tier.
Overall Plan Structure Philosophy: OVHcloud's plan structure is characterized by its transparency and predictability. They generally avoid complex egress pricing tiers or hidden fees, which is a significant advantage for users with high data transfer needs. The modular nature allows users to combine different services (e.g., a VPS with object storage) to build a custom solution. However, this also means that users need to carefully assess their requirements for CPU, RAM, storage type, and network bandwidth across multiple services to arrive at an optimal and cost-effective configuration. The absence of a single, all-encompassing "gamer storage plan" means users must act as their own solution architects.