Google Cloud Digital LeaderGeneral knowledge of Google CloudMedium
A media company needs to store petabytes of video archives that are infrequently accessed, but when requested, require quick retrieval for editing and distribution. They are looking for a cost-effective storage solution on Google Cloud that balances low storage costs with reasonable access performance. Which Google Cloud Storage class is best suited for this use case?
- AStandard Storage
- BColdline Storage
- CArchive Storage
- DNearline Storage
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Nearline Storage
Nearline Storage is designed for data accessed less than once a month, offering lower storage costs than Standard Storage and faster retrieval times than Coldline or Archive Storage. This makes it suitable for video archives that are infrequently accessed but need relatively quick retrieval.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Standard Storage is for frequently accessed data (multiple times a month), which would be too expensive for archives.
- B. Coldline Storage is for data accessed less than once a quarter, with higher retrieval costs and slightly slower access than Nearline.
- C. Archive Storage is for data accessed less than once a year, with the lowest storage costs but highest retrieval costs and slowest access.
Google Cloud Storage Classes
Google Cloud Storage offers different storage classes optimized for various access frequencies and cost-performance tradeoffs: Standard, Nearline, Coldline, and Archive.
- Standard: High frequency access, highest cost.
- Nearline: Monthly access, balanced cost/performance.
- Coldline: Quarterly access, lower cost, higher retrieval cost.
- Archive: Yearly access, lowest cost, highest retrieval cost/latency.
Memory trick: Think of storage classes as how often you open a file cabinet: Standard is your desk, Nearline is the office cabinet, Coldline is the basement, Archive is an offsite warehouse.