What is required to enable a private subnet to access OCI object storage?

To enable a private subnet to access Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) Object Storage, creating a service gateway is indeed the necessary step. A service gateway provides a route for resources in a private subnet to connect to Oracle services, including Object Storage, without needing to traverse the public internet. This approach not only enhances security by keeping the traffic within Oracle's network but also ensures better performance and reliability.

The service gateway allows the private subnet to communicate with specific OCI services while remaining isolated from the public internet, effectively maintaining the security posture of your environment. This is particularly important for scenarios where sensitive data is processed within a private network.

While options like attaching a public IP address or adding a NAT gateway could enable internet access or outbound internet traffic, they are not specifically required for accessing OCI Object Storage from a private subnet. Likewise, creating a dedicated VCN is not necessary for this particular function, as you can have multiple subnets within a single VCN that may need to reach OCI's services.