Storage Lecture
Storage Lecture
•Block Storage:
•Data is divided into blocks, each with a unique address.
•Blocks are managed by a storage area network (SAN) and can be accessed directly.
•File Storage:
•Data is organized in a hierarchical file system.
•Files are accessed using a path and a filename.
Object storage
• Objects: In object storage, data is encapsulated in units called
objects. Each object consists of three components:Data: The actual
content (e.g., a video file, image, or document).
• Metadata: Information about the data, such as its size, type, creation
date, and custom attributes. Metadata is key for organizing, searching,
and retrieving objects.
• Unique Identifier: Each object is assigned a unique ID (or key) that
allows it to be accessed without needing a specific location in a
hierarchy.
• Flat Address Space:
• Flat Structure: Unlike traditional file storage, which uses a hierarchical
structure (folders and subfolders), object storage operates in a flat
address space. This means that all objects are stored in a single
namespace and are identified by their unique identifiers rather than
by a path.
Examples of Object Storage
1.Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)
1. A widely used object storage service that provides scalable, durable, and secure
storage for various types of data, including backups, media files, and big data analytics.
2. Supports features like versioning, lifecycle policies, and access control.
2.Google Cloud Storage
1. Offers a highly scalable and secure object storage service that supports unstructured
data storage for applications, backups, and media.
2. Features include data redundancy, access controls, and integration with other Google
Cloud services.
3.Microsoft Azure Blob Storage
1. A service for storing large amounts of unstructured data, including text and binary
data.
Block storage
•Block storage divides data into fixed-size blocks.
•Each block is individually addressed and can be stored
independently.
• Key Characteristics:
• Low Latency: Fast read/write operations make it suitable for
performance-sensitive applications.
• High Performance: Ideal for transactional workloads, such as
databases and enterprise applications.
Examples of Block Storage
Services:
• Amazon EBS (Elastic Block Store): Provides persistent block storage
for EC2 instances.
• Azure Disk Storage: Managed disks for Azure virtual machines.
• Google Persistent Disk: Block storage for Google Cloud VM instances.
File Storage in the Cloud
• File storage in the cloud involves storing and managing files in a
hierarchical structure (directories and subdirectories).
Examples of Cloud File Storage
Services:
• Google Drive: A cloud-based storage solution for personal and
collaborative file management.
• Microsoft OneDrive: Integrated with Microsoft 365 for seamless file
sharing and collaboration.
• Dropbox: Focuses on file synchronization and sharing, popular for
team collaboration.
• Amazon EFS (Elastic File System): A scalable file storage service for
use with AWS cloud services.