Storage backend overview

This guide is for implementers and system administrators configuring file storage in OpenSPP. The default storage works for most organizations. Cloud storage options require IT assistance to set up.

Mental model

Storage backends control where uploaded files are physically stored:

Backend	Where files go	Best for
Database	Inside the system's database	Small deployments, simplest setup
Filesystem	Files on the server	Medium deployments, good performance
Cloud storage	Cloud service (e.g., Amazon S3 or similar)	Large deployments, scalability

Think of it like choosing where to save photos: database is your phone's internal storage (simple but limited), filesystem is an external hard drive (more space), and cloud storage is a cloud service (unlimited, accessible from anywhere).

Key concepts

Backend configuration

Field	What it means
Name	Backend label
Backend Type	Storage technology
Directory Path	For filesystem: where to store files
Bucket Name	For S3: the storage bucket
Endpoint URL	For S3: the service endpoint
Access Key / Secret Key	For S3: authentication credentials

Storage backends list showing configured storage options.

Storage backend form showing backend type and connection settings.

Choosing a backend

Factor	Database	Filesystem	Cloud Storage
Setup complexity	None (default)	Low	Medium (IT required)
Storage limit	Database size	Server disk size	Unlimited
Backup	Included in database backups	Separate backup needed	Provider handles it
Performance	Good for small files	Good	Good
Multi-server	No	Shared filesystem needed	Yes

Setting up a storage backend

Filesystem backend

Ask your IT team to:

1. Create the storage directory on the server

2. Create a backend with type = Filesystem

3. Set the Directory Path to the storage location

Cloud storage backend

Ask your IT team to:

1. Set up a storage bucket on your cloud service (e.g., Amazon S3 or compatible)

2. Create a backend with type = Cloud Storage

3. Enter the connection details and credentials

4. Test the connection

Are You Stuck?

Files not uploading?

Ask your IT team to check the backend connection and permissions.

Can I migrate between backends?

Migrating existing files between backends requires manual intervention. New uploads use the active backend; existing files remain where they were stored.

Which backend for production?

For single-server deployments, filesystem is recommended. For multi-server or cloud deployments, use cloud storage. Consult your IT team for the best option.

Next steps