Cloud storage types: File Storage, Block Storage, and Object Storage

Not all cloud storage is the same, and choosing the right platform will depend upon the type data to be stored, the use case, and how often it needs to be accessed. One of the most important decisions when choosing a platform is what type of storage to use between file storage, object storage, and block storage.

File storage

File storage is a traditional file system hierarchy similar to the file structure in consumer laptops and the type that most people are already familiar with. This same structure is replicated in the cloud.

In file storage, files are stored within directories. Each folder consists of files and folder metadata and can also contain subfolders with the same structure. When a set of naming conventions are followed, this allows for folders to be browsed and searched quickly by humans so they can find the file or folder they need.

On a small scale with a limited number of subfolders (under 10-15), file storage is relatively simple to navigate. Users can manage their own files through a familiar interface, and Admins can set permissions on specific files like read-only and password protection.

File storage is ideal for replicating home file systems for organizations that have collaborative projects, need to share files with users, or need to back up an existing file system.

File storage can be slower and more expensive when handling large amounts of unstructured data compared to block and object storage, and many of the benefits are lost when human users aren't actively storing and retrieving files.

Since file storage is the most widely used type of cloud storage, platforms mentioned on The Cloud Storage Guide will be using File Storage unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Object Storage

Object storage is a different method of storing data, where data is stored as objects as opposed to files. With object storage, objects are stored in a specific container, often called a bucket. In these buckets, data is divided into Objects that have a unique identifier and metadata that describes the data.

There is no hierarchical structure with object storage. Instead, all storage is "flat" at the same level, similar to if all files on a PC were stored in a single folder. Data is found through the unique identifier instead of navigating a file system, making it a simpler method of storage that uses comparatively less space, and as a result, tends to be less expensive.

For big data analytics and media storage with very large files, object storage performs well. It is also suited for cloud-native applications and unstructured data, as it can scale to exabytes and billions of files.

However, there are some drawbacks. Objects can't be modified once created and instead need to be recreated and reuploaded, and searching can take more time. This can make it challenging for collaborative use and for other highly transactional uses.

Block Storage

Block storage splits data into distinct blocks of data. These distinct blocks can have portions stored across several different environments, and once a user initiates a retrieval process, the block is resassembled into a single unit.

It's important to note that block storage isn't necessarily distinct from file storage; data written on hard drives, for example, is stored in this manner.

In the context of cloud storage, block storage systems provide access to data using a unique block identifier without having a traditional hierarchical file system. Because this additional layer is removed, accessing data is significantly faster and more flexible to access across different environments.

As a result, block storage is often used for storage area networks, containerized applications, and running cloud software.

The benefits come at a tradeoff of being difficult to navigate, particularly for humans, so it's not ideal for typical file access and collaboration.