def parse_remote_path(remote_path):
    """
    Parses a remote pathname into its protocol, bucket, and key. These
    are fields required by the current cloud backends
    """
    fields = remote_path.split('/')
    assert len(fields) > 3, 'Improper remote path (needs more fields)'
    protocol = fields[0]
    assert fields[1] == ''
    bucket = fields[2]
    key = '/'.join(fields[3:])
    return protocol, bucket, key
