Cloud Storage
Definition
Saving your files on someone else's computers via the internet instead of on your device. Like a safety deposit box for data.
Use Cases
- Netflix: Storing and serving media assets and backups used across production workflows — Uses Amazon S3 as a durable object store integrated with AWS identity and access controls, automation, and lifecycle policies to manage large volumes of content and data over time (Improved scalability and durability for large datasets while reducing the need to manage on-premises storage infrastructure)
- Spotify: Central storage for data and artifacts used in analytics and data processing pipelines — Uses Google Cloud Storage as an object storage layer integrated with Google Cloud’s data processing and analytics services, enabling teams to store and access large datasets reliably (Easier scaling of data storage and improved accessibility for analytics workloads across teams)
- Dropbox: File syncing and sharing for end users across devices — Uses cloud storage infrastructure (including object storage patterns) to store user files and metadata, enabling synchronization, versioning, and sharing links across devices and platforms (Users can access the same files from multiple devices with reliable syncing and recovery features like version history)
Provider Equivalents
- AWS: Amazon S3
- Azure: Azure Blob Storage
- GCP: Google Cloud Storage
- OCI: OCI Object Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
- What's the difference between cloud storage and cloud backup?
- Cloud storage is a place to keep and access files anytime (like a shared drive in the cloud). Cloud backup is specifically designed to restore data after accidental deletion, corruption, or ransomware, often with scheduled backups, retention rules, and point-in-time recovery. You can use cloud storage for backups, but backup tools add extra recovery and retention features.
- When should I use cloud storage?
- Use cloud storage when you need to access files from multiple devices, share files with others, store data without buying hardware, or build apps that need scalable file storage (images, videos, documents, logs, backups). It’s especially useful when your storage needs grow over time or you want high durability without managing disks and servers.
- How much does cloud storage cost?
- Costs usually depend on (1) how many GB/TB you store per month, (2) how often you read/write data (requests/operations), (3) how much data you download to the internet (egress), and (4) the storage tier (hot/standard vs infrequent access vs archive). Many providers also charge for features like replication across regions or advanced data management. For consumer tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud, pricing is typically a monthly subscription based mainly on storage size.
Category: data
Difficulty: basic
Related Terms
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