What is Cloud Storage and how can
Companies Benefit from Cloud-based
Storage Solutions?
Recently, cloud computing has become the latest buzzword in IT. The
versatility offered by cloud computing technology addresses every aspect
of your business processes, from building complex networks to creating
end-to-end data solutions. However, the hype created around this term
makes it difficult for businesses to understand the multi-faceted
functionality of this innovative technology. With rapidly growing
volumes of data, companies need to identify powerful and secure storage
solutions that are efficient enough to handle large volumes of data
while being future-proof. Cloud storage is one aspect of cloud computing
technology. It offers highly reliable and cost effective storage
solutions for businesses of all sizes.
What is Cloud Storage?
Cloud or hosted storage is a part of cloud computing technology that
stores and manages data in the cloud using networks of virtual storage
servers. In simpler words, cloud storage is a flexible and convenient
way of storing your large volumes of data on hosted servers. With cloud
storage, one can retrieve data over the Internet or WAN. Before cloud
storage or hosted backups became popular, online backup programs and
providers were serving companies with efficient data backup solutions.
However, cloud backups have a lot more to offer. In addition to storing
critical data, your physical disk drive is synchronized with the online
server to reflect data updates on an ongoing basis while enabling you to
make changes directly to data in the cloud.
How does this Technology Work?
The scope of cloud technology ranges from a single data server that
stores email messages or pictures to a large array of storage servers
that can store copious amounts of critical data for businesses. In order
to create scalable and easy-to-use storage solutions, hosted storage
service providers most commonly use grid architecture to create a wide
array of networks that consist of several clustered servers integrated
into a single entity. The integration of servers is done in two ways:
similar clusters are tightly integrated to enable users to manage the
entire space as a single drive. The other method is to use a combination
of similar and dissimilar clusters of storage nodes which are integrated
loosely to enable users to manage data functions using a global file
system.
Unstructured Object Storage – BLOB
Object-based storage is a new method used by grid architecture based
storage services to store and retrieve data in a highly scalable and
structurally flat environment. Unlike file storage system that involves
file hierarchy method, BLOB considers drives as modular units that are
part of a large data pool. Data objects are assigned with ID numbers and
metadata that enable object-based storage (OS) to read and access this
data using a HTTP protocol. This innovation in data storage techniques
results in a higher level of scalability for your data communication
system. Object-based storage is more suitable for storing large volumes
of static data. End users can access cloud based services using an
intuitive API.
How does Cloud Storage Benefit Organizations?
The versatile functionality of cloud technology offers a wide range of
benefits to companies of all sizes. Right from managing your critical
data to automatic backups, cloud hosted storage has a lot to offer. Here
are three important benefits of choosing cloud storage services for your
business storage solutions:
Server Virtualization and Storage Virtualization
One of the striking features of hosted storage is the implementation of
server virtualization into the network infrastructure. This consolidates
server capabilities and leverages datacenter resources to work at
highest efficiency. Augmenting server virtualization technology with
storage virtualization technology maximizes your resources. Often,
companies that spend huge amounts on server virtualization have to
invest even more money in storage and backup options. With a cloud
storage service, small and medium-sized businesses can leverage their
existing infrastructure to utilize cloud storage services using either
file-level storage protocols like the NFS or block-level protocols like
the iSCSI.
Automatic Data Backup and Recovery
Cloud storage offers highly scalable data management solutions that
synchronize your storage drives. The result is effective data backup and
recovery. Every change on your physical hard drive gets reflected in
your online data. The software RAID technology used by hosted backup
servers stores data on multiple servers to facilitate easy recovery of
data even when one of the drives crashes.
Optimized Storage Solutions
Cloud storage services enable companies of all sizes to enjoy the
performance of cutting edge technologies that boost the efficacy of
business processes to a greater extent. Hybrid storage servers, like the
LucidFiler, provide access to the data using multiple protocols
while insuring data integrity thanks to end-to-end checksumming. Thus,
by leveraging every available resource, you can maximize your investment
returns.
Cloud Storage Concerns
As cloud storage services involve critical and confidential data
redundantly stored at multiple locations, it is important to ensure that
higher security measures are incorporated in the workflow methodology.
The key to overcoming these security challenges is to use an encryption
key to access data. Another important consideration is the available
bandwidth for data access. Choosing a cloud storage service provider
that offers unlimited bandwidth ensures that your workflow procedures
are carried seamlessly. While large enterprises surely benefit from
hosted storage solutions, small and medium-sized businesses need to
compare the cost of hosted storage solutions versus providing their own
storage before moving towards this transition.