Cloud Storage models are considered in cloud computing that keeps data on the internet through cloud computing providers. These providers manage and operate data storage as their service. For keeping the data virtualized with effective functionality, cloud storage is an online data storage solution where data is stored with accessibility from multiple connected devices that constitute a cloud. This whole solution pattern carries several models. With this post, we are going to share insights on cloud storage models.
How does the IoT Cloud Storage Model Functions?
IoT Cloud Storage models from the creation of efficient data management in IoT ecosystems. The correct storage model can primarily impact an organization’s IoT Strategy.
Edge Computing & Local Storage
Edge computing moves data processing closer to the sources that decreases latency and bandwidth usage. The model proves particularly useful for time-prone applications or scenarios with limited connectivity. For instance, an experienced factory might use edge computing to process machine data locally, offering real-time adjustments without being dependent on cloud connectivity.
As per an IDC Report, global spending on edge computing will reach $378 Billion in 2028, provided by demand for genuine analytics, automation counters, and enhanced customer feedback. This huge growth reflects the increasing importance of edge computing in IoT Deployments.
Distributed Storage & Fog Computing
Fog computing grows cloud capabilities to the network edge, generating a distributed architecture. This model matches applications that need both local processing and cloud integration. For instance, a plan for a smart city infrastructure might use fog computing to manage traffic flow, generating data from sensors locally while sending aggregated data to the cloud for long period analysis.
Hybrid Cloud Storage Models
Hybrid models combine the elements of fog, edge, and centralized cloud storage. This approach offers flexibility and functions performance based on particular application requirements. A healthcare IoT system might use edge computing for continuous patient monitoring, fog computing for local data aggregation, and centralized cloud storage for long-term health trend details.
Centralized Cloud Storage
The centralized cloud storage provides scalability and accessibility for IoT data. This model fits applications that don’t need real-time processing but take advantage of extensive data analysis and long-term storage. A weather monitoring system may use centralized cloud storage to protect and collect the data from several sensors across the globe.
Cloud Storage Models in IoT
Instance storage
In a traditional virtualized environment, the virtual disk storage model is the eminent one. The nomenclature of this model is based upon this very reason, instance storage, meaning storage that is used like conventional virtual disks. It is crucial to note that instance storage is a storage model, not a storage protocol. This storage can be implemented in numerous ways. For example, DAS is generally used to implement instance storage. It is often stated as ephemeral storage as the storage isn’t highly reliable.
Advantages & Disadvantages
- Hard drives that focus storage function are physically attached to the EC2 hosts that are running the store. Their endurance depends upon the lifetime instances attached to them. Both instance and Elastic Block storage (EBS) volumes are stored in a series somewhere in the same AZ. All required HDP’s can be re-arranged with a new EC2 instance unless they are bound to be removed when the attached EC2 instance is terminated.
- Due to paucity of speed and persistence in instant storage, it is usually used on data that needs quick but temporary assessment.
- Moreover, it is also used to store data that demand regular replication to multiple locations.
- Also, EC2’s using instance storage for their root device should keep a copy of their AMI on the instance store disk because instance storage does not endure any data, which is the reason behind longer boot time when compared to instances backed by EBS.
Volume Storage
- Volume storage is also known as block storage. It supports operations like read/write and keeping the system files of running virtual machines.
- As suggested by its name, data is stored in structured blocks and volumes where files are split into equal-sized blocks.
- Each block has its own address. However, unlike objects, they don’t possess any metadata. Files are bifurcated into simpler blocks of fixed size, storing large amounts of data, which are dispensed amongst the storage nodes.
Advantages & Disadvantages
- Public cloud providers allow the creation of various file systems on their block storage systems, thus enabling users to store incessant data like a database.
- Additionally, an Amazon EBS volume is accessed from an Amazon EC2 instance through an AWS shared or dedicated network.
- Another advantage of using volume/block storage is its backup mechanism. For example, AWS EBS extends a snapshot feature that is necessarily an incremental point in a timely backup of your volume.
Object Storage
- Cloud-native applications need space for storing data that is shared between different VMs. However, often there’s a need for spaces that can extend to various data centers across multiple geographies which are catered by Object storage. For example, Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3) caters to a single space across an entire region, probably, across the entire world.
- Object storage stores data as objects, unlike others which go for a file hierarchy system. But it provides for eventual consistency.
- Each object/block consists of data, metadata, and a unique identifier.
- What object storage does differently is that it tries to explore address capabilities that are overlooked by other storages via a name, directly programmable interface, data distribution, etc.
- Object storage also saves a substantial amount of unstructured data. This kind of storage is used for storing songs on audio applications, photos on social media, or online services like Dropbox.
Advantages & Disadvantages
- Storing virtually unlimited files is one of many advantages for installing object storage. Having an HTTP(S) based interface, object storage also maintains file revisions.
- In this kind of storage, files are distributed in different nodes which means that to modify a file you will need to upload a new revision of the entire file which can significantly impact performance.
Concluding Ideas
Although the cloud is essential for processing and storing data both the cloud and data storage are rapidly evolving. One of the biggest issues with cloud storage is data security and companies that use cloud storage will likely be very concerned about widespread data breaches in the future. Under such circumstances will the cloud become outdated? What other options such as serverless computing are there for storing complex data in the future? Regularly reviewing cloud services and identifying redundant tasks are our two key recommendations for techies interested in optimizing them. The goal is to take advantage of the clouds freedom without going over budget.
