## What is Storage? - Refers to saving and accessing data for future use. - Critical for applications, systems, and data-driven operations. --- ## Types of Storage 1. **Block Storage**: - Divides data into fixed-sized blocks. - Used for databases and applications (e.g., AWS EBS, Azure Disk Storage). 2. **File Storage**: - Organizes data in a hierarchical structure with files and folders. - Ideal for shared access (e.g., NFS, SMB). 3. **Object Storage**: - Stores data as objects with metadata and unique IDs. - Suitable for unstructured data (e.g., AWS S3, Azure Blob Storage). --- ## Storage in Cloud Environments - **Cloud Storage Services**: - Provide scalable and managed solutions. - Examples: Google Cloud Storage, Amazon S3. - **Hybrid Storage**: - Combines on-premises and cloud storage for flexibility. --- ## Key Concepts - **Redundancy**: Ensures data availability during hardware failures. - **Latency**: The time it takes to access stored data. - **Capacity**: The total amount of data storage available. --- ## Challenges of Storage - **Scalability**: Meeting growing data demands. - **Security**: Protecting sensitive information. - **Performance**: Balancing speed and resource usage. --- ## Benefits of Modern Storage Solutions - Enable disaster recovery and backups. - Provide accessibility across multiple devices and locations. - Support analytics and large-scale data processing. --- ## Practical Applications - Data lakes for big data analysis. - Media storage for streaming platforms. - Backup and archival solutions for long-term data retention. --- ## Conclusion - Storage is a foundational component in IT infrastructure. - Choosing the right storage type enhances performance, scalability, and reliability.