Have you ever thought about how the cloud manages to keep everything we store on its servers secure? As it turns out, it mostly relies on either object storage or block storage. While both types of storage accomplishes the same task of storing data, they do it differently. Let me break it down for you.
• Organized: Each file contains information about itself (like a date or file type) to help you locate files more efficiently.
• Good for larger files: Generally works better for things like photos or videos, backups, and logs.
The major downside of object storage is that performance limitations due to slower read/write times for files that change frequently, such as a live database.
Reasons for its usefulness:
• Speed: Great for apps and databases that are constantly changing.
• Immediate availability: You gain access to your data rapidly.
• Good for structured data: Great for virtual machines, operating systems and databases.
The downside? It can be more difficult to scale and manage large amounts of data.
• Object Storage: Use for backups, media and logs. It's cheap and easy to scale.
• Block Storage: Use for databases, apps, and other systems that require speed and reliability.
My Experience
I use both. For storage of website backups and videos, I prefer object storage. For running live applications or databases, block storage is more suitable. Most cloud setups actually utilize a combination of storage patterns to save money and provide speed.
What is Object Storage?
Object storage organizes and stores each piece of data individually using a unique "object." You can think of object storage like a library with many books, each containing a unique identifier and information about the book.What are the benefits of Object Storage?
• Highly scalable: You can manage and store large volumes of data.• Organized: Each file contains information about itself (like a date or file type) to help you locate files more efficiently.
• Good for larger files: Generally works better for things like photos or videos, backups, and logs.
The major downside of object storage is that performance limitations due to slower read/write times for files that change frequently, such as a live database.
What is Block Storage?
Block storage is similar to object storage, but it stores data in smaller pieces called "blocks." As an illustration, each block has an individual address, allowing your system to quickly retrieve each block of data.Reasons for its usefulness:
• Speed: Great for apps and databases that are constantly changing.
• Immediate availability: You gain access to your data rapidly.
• Good for structured data: Great for virtual machines, operating systems and databases.
The downside? It can be more difficult to scale and manage large amounts of data.
Which one should you use?
It depends on what you need:• Object Storage: Use for backups, media and logs. It's cheap and easy to scale.
• Block Storage: Use for databases, apps, and other systems that require speed and reliability.
My Experience
I use both. For storage of website backups and videos, I prefer object storage. For running live applications or databases, block storage is more suitable. Most cloud setups actually utilize a combination of storage patterns to save money and provide speed.