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CLOUD STORAGE

CLOUD STORAGE (VIRTUAL HARD DRIVE)

• Process of storing the huge amount of digital data over the internet in
the cloud servers. Here data can be
• Media Files like images, audios, videos, etc
• Non-Media Files like text files, PDFs, excel, documents
• The cloud servers are placed in data centers all over the world
• The servers are maintained by a 3rd party provider who is responsible
for hosting, managing and securing data on its infrastructure.
• An online storage system enables the end-user to store the large
amount of data (Perabytes of data) at the remote server over the
internet.
• Once a client posts the data to server, then that user can access the
data at any time, at anywhere, through the internet.
• Examples of Cloud Storage:
- Web e-mail providers such as G-mail, Yahoo
- Google docs
- Facebook, Youtube, etc,.
• It is also called as utility storage which is maintained and operated by
cloud service providers (CSP)
Business Examples
• Cloud based Web Hosting – Services to store the site data like media
and posts
• File Sharing
• Virtual Desktop Hosting
• Automatic Data Backups

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Difference between Cloud Storage and Cloud Computing

S.N Cloud Storage Cloud Computing
1. It is a data storage and sharing It is a delivery of IT resources over
medium in cloud the internet
2. It needs more storage space It needs higher processing power
than cloud storage
3. Types Types
Object Storage, File Storage, IaaS, SaaS, PaaS
Block Storage
4. Tasks Tasks
Data Storage and Backup Data Processing, Application
Development, Running Complex
Algorithms, etc,.
5. Examples Examples
Google Drive, Dropbox, One Amazon AWS, Google Cloud,
Drive, Mega Drive, Box, etc,. Oracle, Azure, IBM Cloud, etc,.

Working Process
• The remote servers are required to save data like images, videos,
audios in the cloud storage
• Uses will store data to servers via internet connection where it is saved
on a virtual machine or on a physical server
• To maintain availability and provide redundancy, the cloud service
providers will often replicate data to multiple virtual machines in the data
centers located geographically.
• Users can access data in cloud storage through the internet and
software like browsers, web portal or mobile app via an API.

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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLOUD STORAGE AND LOCAL STORAGE

• It is used as alternative for storing files on hard disk drives or
storage networks with cost effective and scalable.
• In the traditional storage, we can store the data in the computer or
servers connected with our computer using LAN / WAN.

S.N TRADITIONAL STORAGE CLOUD STORAGE

1. Here data access time is faster Here data access time is slower
than cloud storage (speed) than traditional storage
2. Data sharing to other is limited Data sharing is possible in
(sharing) anywhere
3. It provides more secure than It provides security to data.
cloud storage (security) However, it is lesser than
traditional storage as data is
stored on 3rd party servers
4. It does not depend on the It always depends on the internet
internet to store and retrieve the
data (internet)

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5. It is not portable one It is always portable. This can be

accessed by anyone, anywhere,
from any location

ADVANTAGES OF CLOUD STORAGE

• Cloud storage provides several advantages.
▪ Usability
▪ Portability
▪ Scalability
▪ Bandwidth
▪ Accessibility
▪ Cost Savings
▪ Disaster.
Usability
• It provides an easy drag and drop approach to store files and folders to
users from local storage to cloud storage.
Portability
• Cloud storage is a portable one which means that user can store and
access the data in cloud at any device, anytime, anywhere from the
world through the internet.
Scalability
• Depends on the requirement, user has an option to increase or
decrease the data in the cloud
Bandwidth
• Cloud saves the lot of bandwidth of channel by sending a web link to
users through the email to download the files instead of sending email
with attachments separately to individuals
Accessibility
• The files stored on the cloud storage can be accessed from any
location via internet.

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Cost Savings
• It provides much savings as user can utilize the storage service
based on demand of the data size which varies dynamically
• There will be huge savings in the electricity bills as the remote storage
don’t need any electric power.
Disaster Recovery
• Important files will be stored as second copy on the cloud. So, this
backup will be useful in case of emergency disaster period.
DISADVANTAGES OF CLOUD STORAGE
• Cloud storage provides lot of advantages. However, some drawbacks
are considered in the cloud storage. They are
▪ Internet Connection
▪ Data Security
▪ Accessibility
▪ Data Modification
1. Internet Connection
• Internet plays a very crucial role in cloud computing
• If internet connection falls down, the entire cloud services such as
portability, availability, scalability, accessibility, monitoring, etc, will be
affected.
• Cloud services fully depends on the internet.
2. Data Security
• There is no guarantee about full security for the data stored on the
public cloud service providers
3. Accessibility
• Data accessibility is not possible in the cloud, if there is no internet
connection
4. Data Modification
• If we want to change data locally through multiple devices, we need to
download application on all the devices.

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BEST CLOUD STORAGE SERVICES

• Many cloud storage services are available on recent trends. They are
▪ Dropbox
▪ Google Drive
▪ One Drive
▪ Mega Cloud
▪ Box
▪ Amazon Drive
▪ Apple iCloud
1. Dropbox Cloud
• This is the best cloud storage for simplicity
• It is available in free or paid plans
• Free storage is limited to 2GB
• It includes the services like cloud storage, personal cloud, file
synchronization, etc,.
• Supported OS – PC, Android & iOS
Pros
• Clean, easy-to-navigate website
• App integrations with Slack, Asana, Zoom, Google Workspace and
more.
Cons
• It offers the least amount of free storage
• Most expensive plans
• Personal plans don't differ enough to warrant separate, differently
priced plans
2. Google Drive
• This is best personal cloud storage for business
• It is available in free or paid plans

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• Free storage is limited to 15GB across Gmail, google Drive, Google

Photos
• Supported OS – Android, iOS, MacOS, Linux and Windows
Pros
• Affordable, customizable personal plans with features that make sense
for the average user
• Neat management in a dedicated app
• Easy to use for existing Google accounts.
Cons
• Google One subscription only applies to one email address
• Finding Google One info requires a bit of scrolling on the website.
3. Box Storage
• This is another secure cloud storage by California for images, files and
documents, etc,.
• This is a central platform for cloud storage, file sharing, syncing, e-
signatures and collaboration
• It offers 10GB free storage
• It is available in free and paid plans
• It offers the services like
▪ Security
▪ File sharing and syncing
▪ Secure collaboration
▪ Integrations with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Adobe, etc,.
▪ File versioning
• It is also called as content cloud which is available on phones,
desktops, tablets and laptops.
Pros
• Secure cloud storage
• Easy to share and collaborate files and documents with others
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• Flexibility with locale drive

• Simple and easy interface
• File versioning (Keeping multiple versions or copies of a file, over time)
Cons
• Some feature overlap
• Limited consumer options
• Cost Expensive.
4. One Drive
• This is the best personal cloud storage services by Microsoft
• It allows the user to store, share and synch their files
• It offers free storage upto 5GB
• It is available on free and paid plans
• Supported OS – PC, Mac, Android & iOS
Pros
• Microsoft 365 Personal and Microsoft 365 Family offer a ton of storage
for a reasonable price
• OneDrive standalone is available if you're not looking for extra
features.
Cons
• There isn't a middle-ground option to get a ton of storage without extra
features
• No option to increase storage space for OneDrive Standalone.
5. Mega Cloud
• This is a new zealand based company which offers secure cloud
services through the web based applications
• It comes with end to end encryption making files stored safe and
secure
• It offers 20GB free storage.
• It is available in free and paid plans
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• It is available in web interface, mobile app (iOS/Android), desktop app,

etc,.
Features
• End to end data encryption using AES-128 and TLS for data storage
and retrieval
• Large amount of free cloud space
• Support multiple platforms like windows, linux, mac, iOS, android,
chrome, firebox, etc,.
• Data synchronizes across all devices and browsers
Pros
• Easy to use and provides more security
• It offers huge amount of free storage than other cloud services
• Platform independent (it allows the user to store files from windows,
linux, mac os, etc,.)
• Nice user interface
Cons
• Closed Source (Not an open source)
• Limited collaboration features.
6. Amazon Drive
• It is another personal cloud storage
• It provides 5GB of free storage
• It is available in free and paid plans
• Supported OS – Desktop, iOS and Android
Pros
• Unlimited photo storage with a Prime membership
• Clean, easily understandable user interface on desktop and mobile
Cons
• Moving towards photo and video only in 2023
• UI needs improvement
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7. Apple iCloud
• This is best cloud storage service by Apple
• It provides 5GB of free storage for all apple device owners
• It includes the services like data storage and synchronization across
multiple devices
• It is available in free and paid plans
• Supported OS – iOS and MacOS
Pros
• Paid tiers are affordable
• Larger focus on privacy
• Homekit integration.
Cons
• It supports iOS only
• Not all Plus subscribers use HomeKit.

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TYPES OF CLOUD STORAGE BASED ON MODEL

• Based on the model, the cloud storage comes in four types. They are
▪ Public Cloud Storage
▪ Private Cloud Storage
▪ Hybrid Cloud Storage
▪ Community Cloud Storage

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1. Public Cloud Storage (External Cloud Storage)

• This type of storage is hosted, maintained and controlled by third party
cloud service providers like AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, etc,.
• Here user data will be stored in physical servers or virtual machines of
the public CSPs
• Here, user does not need to maintain the system.
Pros
• No need any configuration from user side
• Easy to use cloud services
• Portability and accessibility
Cons
• No control to user
• Internet connection
• Not 100% security of files saved
2. Private Cloud Storage (Internal Cloud Storage)
• This type of storage is maintained and controlled by individual or single
organization for their secure storage.
• Here data will be stored in the own network servers and data
centers configured by individual or single company
• It is suitable for storing the sensitive data (protecting data)
• It offers complete control to the user which is the biggest advantage of
saving data
• It is mostly used by financial institutes, government, large MNCs
Pros
• Full control to user / company
• Offers more security
Cons
• Difficult to setup the cloud
• Higher cost
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3. Hybrid Cloud Storage

• It combines both private and public cloud storage
• Here organizations have the option to select, which data to be stored in
which cloud using this type.
• Here sensitive data can be stored in private cloud and less sensitive
data can be stored in public cloud.
Pros
• Flexibility and mobility – (Here This allow businesses to direct its
resources to either private or public cloud environments quickly, as well
as move data between the two).
• Portability – Like public cloud, this allows the user to access data from
any devices at any locations outside of the office.
Cons
• Difficult to implement and manage
• Security concerns as public cloud has included.
4. Community Cloud Storage
• Community cloud storage is a variation of the private cloud storage
model, which offers cloud solutions for specific businesses or
communities
• This is a best option for health, financial or legal companies with strict
compliance policies.
• It is shared by group of organizations having same policies
Pros
• Flexibility and security
• Controlled level of privacy
• Availability and reliability
• More control over configuration & management.
Cons
• Complexity
• Remote access may be limited
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• Increased start-up costs

TYPES OF CLOUD STORAGE BASED ON DATA
• Based on the data, the cloud storage comes in three types. They are
▪ Object Storage
▪ File Storage
▪ Block Storage
Object Storage
• It is used for storing large amount of unstructured data
• It represents each piece of data as an object, keeps it in a separate
storehouse, and a unique identifier for easy access and retrieval (Data
is stored as objects with metadata and unique identifiers).
• It is suitable for the data that doesn't need to be edited
• It is less expensive
File Storage
• It represents data as a whole file
• It organizes the data in a hierarchical format of files and folders (storing
files and folders)
• File system or File storage is common in desktop computer where data
is saved as files those files are organized in folders
• File storage is most often used in directories and data repositories
• File storage provides an easy way to store and retrieve the data when
needed.
• File storage is best for storage and retrieval
Block Storage
• Here data will be broken (splitted) into set of blocks or chunks. Each
block is assigned to unique identifier and will be stored on the server
as separate pieces.
• Block storage is best for modifying the data like insertion, deletion,
updation (Although more expensive and complex and less scalable,
this type of storage is ideal for data that must be frequently accessed
and edited).
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