Storage system using cloud based ranks as replica storage

A computer-implemented method for using cloud based ranks as replica storage comprises allocating storage space on cloud storage devices via a cloud interface; mapping the allocated storage space on the cloud storage devices to corresponding virtual local addresses; grouping the virtual local addresses to create at least one cloud based rank from the allocated storage space on the cloud storage devices; designating a cloud based rank as cloud based replica storage for a corresponding primary storage; assigning a service level to the cloud based replica storage based, at least in part, on characteristics of data being mirrored to the cloud based replica storage and a rate at which the data is mirrored to the cloud based replica storage; and dynamically adjusting the service level assigned to the cloud based replica storage in response to a command to swap the cloud based replica storage with the corresponding primary storage.