Cloud Storage:
It is a digital storage model that is offered by some cloud service providers where data is stored over the internet. In this model, all the data is kept confidential and the security of information is the prime responsibility of the companies that provide cloud services. (1)
How does it work?
It works on a very simple method. Cloud storage is easily available on the internet where you go and search for the best cloud services with the prices against different storage capacity i.e. 50GB, 1TB, etc. When you pay for cloud storage and use their services, you don’t have to worry about your data management and security because cloud storage providers ensure their customers with the best safety and durability.
Advantages of Cloud Storage:
Information Technology with advancements in its features and techniques has becomes the most valuable partner of all the businesses around the world. IT department is very active in transforming your data when you stored it via cloud storage. Three main areas of cloud storage that provide benefits are:
Total ownership cost: no need for purchasing hardware to store the data and no fear of losing the personal data, when you have the option to adjust the capacity of storage according to your need, and you have to pay just for the storage you use. Cloud storage accesses your data and synchronises it according to the usage, less frequently used data is moved to the lower tier where old data is saved.
Formation Time: The data processing time never slows down even when the server is busy dealing with many teams at the same time. Cloud storage enables the IT departments to quickly respond to the clients by giving abrupt storage according to their needs. It gives IT the confidence to solve intense application problems without any disturbance rather than managing the data storage system.
Information Management: Cloud storage gives the feature of centralizing the information system in a folder where the data is highly weighted or continuously accessible. By using this cloud lifecycle management policy, consumer’s data is automatically tiered or locked according to the data processing policies.
Cloud Storage requirements:
A company using cloud storage for saving their confidential data has many concerns and requirements like providing heavy securities for the clients’ critical data. The cloud storage ensures such level of safety by addressing three main concerns such as:
Durability: The critical data or any other data that is stored in the cloud is actually stored in a surplus of multiple folders and devices of the service provider to ensure durability. Therefore, the data is never lost by natural disasters, human errors, or technical faults.
Availability: All the data is always available when needed, so there will be no delay in providing the data timely. There is a slight difference between the process of production and archived data. But the cloud of ideal features maintains standard restoration of time and cost.
Security: All the stored data is heavily encrypted between the concerned parties and no one is allowed to access and share the data without the authorized permission.
Types of Cloud storage:
There are three basic types of cloud storage and all three types have different functions according to their use and advantages. These types are as follows:
Object storage: Sometimes, companies using cloud storage demand high space for bulk documentation in large files. Virtual companies like AMAZON and ALIBABA who have no physical existence are fully taking advantage of this type of cloud storage and earns their profits.
File Storage: In the companies, there are so many departments and employees, so maintenance of records is very important for the betterment of the organization, therefore, companies try to hire the services of cloud storage for its immediate data processing and delivery ability. To save this kind of data, Company can store the data in heavy files within the same facility. This type is inter-connected via NETWORK ATTACHED STORAGE by which data is easily accessible in few seconds. AMAZON ELASTIC FILE SYSTEM is an ideal solution in a type of file storage because it stores all the customer directories, media stores, and department information connected with (NAS).
Block Storage: Some organizations required an ERP system for employers and cloud storage provides this feature of the block with low latency for each member. This feature is powered by the direct-attached storage and Storage area network. All the block storage is connected with servers that only work in special premises. In this type of AMAZON, Elastic block storage is an example that works by using virtual servers to enhance performance.
Cloud Storage providers: (2)
This term is also referred to as the MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDER (MSP), these companies enable the individuals or enterprises to consume and retain the data on and off-site while using a cloud system. Consumers can take cloud storage on lease as per need. It works as a host to store consumer data in its data center and provide them with networking and space infrastructure.
Consumer Based Cloud storage providers:
Most of the Public-based cloud software gives free online access to use the cloud with some limitations in storage. People can use them for storing files, videos pictures, and personal documents without paying but if the customer demands more space then he has to pay for the extra storage.
Cloud storage is supportive of Windows, Android devices, which give them ease and facility without any special requirement.
Some of the personal data storage providers are:
- Amazon Cloud Drive gives data for $10(20GB), $25(50GB), and $50(100GB).
- Apple iCloud Box available in 15GB, 25GB, and 50GB at $20, $40 and $100 respectively.
- Carbonite charges $6 per month with encryption 128-bit for 1-3 computers.
- Dropbox gives the services $9.99 for 2GB and $16.99 with 2TB.
- Google Drive starts packages for $1.99/month to $19.99/year for 100GB.
- Microsoft one drive package price available from $5/month (1TB)
Enterprise Cloud Storage provider:
Organizations need a large amount of data storage for different purposes. Therefore, a hybrid cloud is introduced to fulfill the requirement of organizations. Some of the enterprise cloud storage providers are as follows:
- Dell EMC hybrid cloud for Enterprise
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise
- Hitachi Vantara’s Enterprise
- IBM Cloud
- Red Hat Cloud storage.
References:
- https://aws.amazon.com/what-is-cloud-storage/
- https://searchstorage.techtarget.com/definition/cloud-storage-provider
