Cloud Files vs. Cloud Block Storage

Dependability, Persistency & Control: Cloud Files vs. Cloud Block Storage

Any business can tell you that data is growing increasingly complex at an exponential rate. As computing resources, applications and tools become more connected, the demand to manage big data in a cloud-storage solution is becoming widespread. An effective means for solving this problem is through cloud block storage.

For the uninitiated, cloud block storage provides persistent block-level storage volumes for data in the cloud. This means you can create, execute, deploy, scale, update or delete storage volumes independent of cloud servers. It’s also possible to deploy storage volumes on a wide range of devices based on either hard disk or solid-state disk (SSD) technology.

How Cloud Block Storage Differs from Traditional Cloud Storage

Simply put, cloud block storage offers persistent storage systems. This essentially means, as already mentioned, that you can easily manage and modify storage volumes independent of a cloud server. This independency is precisely how cloud block storage differs from traditional or “ephemeral” cloud storage. In an ephemeral cloud storage system, you can only manage cloud data as long as your cloud servers are active and running. Persistent data storage allows you to actively manage block-level cloud data in the event of a server outage.

The Benefits of Cloud Block Storage

The benefits of cloud block storage are many, but the three main advantages are as follows:

• Greater control over apps: Cloud block storage increases your control over the applications you need deployed in the cloud. Since you can scale, manage and modify applications in the cloud without the need for an active cloud server, you can ensure that applications will remain usable in the event of a disaster.
• Flexibility: Another key benefit has to do with flexibility. You’re not locked into a specific type of storage device for your volumes. You can actually build an entire application infrastructure on either hard disk or SSD devices, or use a combination of the two.
• Designed for failure: As mentioned earlier, cloud block storage has been engineered with server outage in mind. Your cloud data isn’t dependent on an active cloud server, so when server failure occurs, your applications won’t experience downtime. This allows a great deal of freedom when managing your cloud data and applications in a block-level storage volume. It also frees you up to test applications in different environments before you deploy them within your cloud environment or hand them over to users or customers.

Why Deploy Cloud Block Storage?

Although the answer to this question may be simple, carrying it out is a little more complex. Simply put, if you rely on cloud data to deploy your applications, you can’t afford to trust anything other than the persistent storage capabilities provided by cloud-based block storage. Downtime is costly, and as your data gets bigger, the costs go up significantly.

Additionally, cloud block-level storage is affordable for an enterprise-level company and is also user-friendly. Most cloud block storage providers allow you to log in to the application via an easy-to-use dashboard. You can then purchase on-demand storage based on your needs. With all its flexibility, agility and disaster-proof capabilities, cloud block storage is an effective means for meeting the big data challenges your business faces each day.