What is Cloud Storage | Explaining Types of Cloud Storage & How does Cloud Storage work

What is Cloud Storage ?

Cloud storage (also known as Utility Storage) is a model in which the data is stored inside the remote servers where it is made available through the internet. It is built using the virtualization techniques in which the management and the hosting of the cloud storage is taken care by the cloud service providers.


The concept of cloud storage is simple where the users can send their files to the data servers present on a cloud rather than using any physical hardwares. The information present on the cloud storage can be accessed whenever you need it unless you delete them. A good example of cloud storage is Google drive. Popular social media sites such as facebook and mail services like gmail also use cloud computing. Even though the cost of per gigabyte in cloud storage is radically reduced still it is considerably expensive since it has operating charges. Generally users pay for this service depending on the data consumption ; clients have to pay only for the data amount they use. But the overall storage cost in cloud storage is significantly lower since there is no need to purchase and manage any physical hardwares here. 

There are many other benefits as well. For a detailed knowledge on the benefits of cloud storage, look at my previous article 5 Advantage and Disadvantages of Cloud Storage. 

How does Cloud Storage work ?

Same as an on-premise technology, cloud storage uses servers to store data. Most at times these servers are virtual machines present in an offsite location. As the need for more storage space increases, the cloud service providers create more virtual servers. And also cloud storage uses more than one of these servers to ensure its availability. In case if one of these servers fail, the replicated files can be taken from other servers. When a user sends a file to this single server it forwards the details to multiple servers located in data centers. Finally the stored data can be accessed through a Web based interface (API).

Types of Cloud Storage

Public Cloud Storage - Public cloud storage is where the data is stored in the cloud provider's data center rather than in enterprises. In this case the cloud service provider and the enterprises are separated and all the management is done by the cloud service provider. Since the data is completely managed by the cloud service provider, there are security concerns in the information stored. 

Private Cloud Storage - Private cloud storage is where the cloud service provider and the enterprises are integrated with each other. Exactly opposite to a public cloud storage, the data of the user is stored in the enterprise's data center. Hence all of the infrastructures of the cloud providers are present in the enterprise's  data center but it is managed by the providers. Usually being protected by the user's firewall, the private cloud storage is most appropriate for clients who has security concerns for their valuable data. 

Hybrid Cloud Storage - Hybrid cloud storage is a mixture of both public and private cloud storages. Such combination of cloud storage allows data to be present in both the services and move between them when needed. Therefore it combines the resources of the enterprises with that of the public cloud storage. The most critical datas of the organization is stored in the private cloud storage while others are accessible from the public cloud storage.

Security

Security is one of the crucial concerns in cloud storage. Especially if your company is handling confidential informations. It is no doubt that cloud storage compromises the burden of data storage needs. But what about the security ? We all know that whatever the data we upload to the cloud storage is distributed to various servers in different locations. This servers are heavily protected to prevent any kind of unauthorized access. 

Additionally cloud service providers use authentication methods such as username and password for safeguarding the data. And also cloud providers encrypt the data when it is traveling and use private networks instead of public networks. With all these the cloud service providers take great measures to safeguard the data and maintain their reputation.