What is Cloud Storage?
Cloud storage is a method of saving data on the Internet instead of your local system’s hard
drive. It allows you to store files like documents, images, videos, and backups on remote
servers managed by cloud service providers.
Example: Uploading a file to Google Drive or Dropbox sends it to cloud-based servers (data
centers), often located in multiple geographic regions for safety and redundancy.
How Does Cloud Storage Work?
1. Uploading Data: Files are uploaded to the cloud via apps or websites.
2. Storing Data: Data is stored across multiple servers in large data centers.
3. Accessing Data: You can access your data from any device via the internet.
4. Syncing Across Devices: Changes in one device are automatically updated across
others.
5. Data Security: Encryption and login credentials protect your data.
6. Redundancy & Backup: Files are stored in multiple locations for safety.
7. Scalability: Easily increase storage capacity as needed.
8. Sharing & Collaboration: Share files and work with others in real-time.
9. Disaster Recovery: Even if one server fails, your data remains safe.
Types of Cloud Storage Models
Model What It Is Used By
Storage offered over shared infrastructure Startups, businesses needing
Public Cloud
by third-party providers. scalability
Dedicated storage for one organization, Banks, healthcare, and sensitive
Private Cloud
hosted privately or by a provider. organizations
Mix of public and private cloud; based on Companies needing both
Hybrid Cloud
data sensitivity and cost. security and flexibility
Uses multiple cloud providers to avoid Enterprises for performance
Multi-Cloud
vendor lock-in and improve uptime. and disaster recovery
Community Shared infrastructure among similar Agencies and research
Cloud organizations (e.g., government). institutions
Storage Systems in the Cloud
Cloud storage offers three main types of storage systems:
1. Block-Based Storage System
• Data is stored in blocks (like local hard drives).
• Seen as volumes that can be partitioned and formatted (C:/, D:/ drives).
• Used by OS-level applications and virtual machines.
• Best For: Databases, OS boot volumes (e.g., AWS EBS, Azure Disk).
2. File-Based Storage System
• Accessed via a network using protocols like NFS, SMB.
• Comes pre-formatted with file systems; no need for manual partitioning.
• Appears as a mapped network drive to the OS.
• Best For: Shared drives, file repositories (e.g., NAS, Google Drive).
3. Object-Based Storage System
• Stores data as individual objects with metadata and unique IDs.
• Accessed using web protocols (HTTP REST APIs like GET, PUT, DELETE).
• No hierarchy or folders—flat structure.
• Best For: Unstructured data like images, videos, backups (e.g., Amazon S3, Azure
Blob).
Features of Cloud Storage Systems
• Large Network Access – Access from anywhere with the internet.
• Easy Maintenance – Handled by cloud providers.
• Automatic Updates – No manual patches or upgrades.
• Strong Security – Encryption and access control.
• High Availability – Data is always available due to redundancy.
Advantages
Advantage Explanation
Access Anywhere Access your files anytime from any device.
Scalable Increase or decrease storage as per your needs.
Auto Backup Avoid data loss with redundancy and backup.
Collaboration Share files and work with teams in real-time.
Cost-effective Pay only for the storage space used.
Disadvantages
Disadvantage Explanation
Internet Dependency Needs a stable internet connection.
Data Privacy Risk Data is stored on third-party servers.
Unplanned Costs Large data storage can get expensive.
Access Latency Access time can be slower than local disks.
