CompTIA Cloud+ (CV0-004)Cloud ArchitectureMedium
A cloud architect is designing a solution for storing large volumes of unstructured data, such as images, videos, and log files. The primary requirements are extreme scalability, high durability, and cost-effectiveness for data that is accessed infrequently but needs to be retrieved instantly when requested. Which storage tier is best suited for this scenario?
- ARelational Database
- BObject Storage
- CBlock Storage
- DFile Storage
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Object Storage
Object storage is ideal for large volumes of unstructured data due to its extreme scalability, high durability, and cost-effectiveness. It is well-suited for data that is accessed infrequently but requires instant retrieval, making it perfect for media, backups, and archives.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Relational databases are structured storage for transactional data, not suitable for storing large volumes of unstructured binary data like images and videos.
- C. Block storage is optimized for high-performance, low-latency access, typically for OS volumes and databases, not for large volumes of unstructured data with infrequent access.
- D. File storage provides shared access and hierarchical organization but is less scalable and more expensive per GB than object storage for massive unstructured data.
Object Storage
A data storage architecture that manages data as objects, rather than as files or blocks. Each object includes the data itself, metadata, and a globally unique identifier. It offers massive scalability, high durability, and cost-effectiveness for unstructured data.
- Stores unstructured data (images, videos, backups)
- Accessed via API (HTTP/S)
- Massive scalability and high durability (often 11 nines)
- Cost-effective for large volumes, often with eventual consistency
Memory trick: Object for blobs, Block for OS, File for shares, DB for rows.