Hidden Cloud Costs: Unfinished Multipart Uploads

Cloud computing offers incredible scalability and flexibility, but it’s easy to incur unexpected costs if you’re not careful. One common source of hidden costs is unfinished multipart uploads.

Multipart uploads are a powerful feature for transferring large files to cloud storage. They work by splitting the file into smaller chunks, which are uploaded independently. This allows for faster uploads, especially for large files or unreliable network connections. However, if a multipart upload is interrupted and not properly aborted, the uploaded chunks remain stored indefinitely, continuing to accrue storage fees.

Imagine initiating a large file upload, but the process fails midway due to a network issue or application error. Without intervention, those orphaned chunks will sit in your storage bucket, costing you money for space you’re not actively using.

This situation often arises because users are unaware of the need for explicit cleanup. While configuring lifecycle rules to automatically delete old, incomplete uploads is a good practice, proactively aborting interrupted uploads via the provider’s API is crucial for immediate cost savings.

Staying on top of these unfinished uploads is essential for effective cloud cost management. Regularly auditing your storage buckets for incomplete multipart uploads and implementing proper cleanup procedures can significantly reduce unnecessary expenses. By understanding these potential pitfalls, you can maximize the benefits of cloud storage while keeping costs under control.