Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)Cloud Data SecurityEasy

A company is considering migrating its on-premises database to a cloud provider. They are concerned about the performance implications for applications that require very low latency access to the database. The cloud provider offers different storage options. Which cloud storage type generally provides the lowest latency for database workloads?

  1. ACold Storage
  2. BBlock Storage
  3. CFile Storage
  4. DObject Storage
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B. Block Storage

Block storage, such as solid-state drives (SSDs) provisioned as block volumes, offers the lowest latency and highest I/O performance, making it the most suitable choice for demanding database workloads that require very fast access to data.

Why the other options are wrong

  • A. Cold storage (or archive storage) has the highest latency and is designed for infrequent access, making it unsuitable for active database workloads.
  • C. File storage typically has higher latency than block storage and is more suited for shared file systems than high-performance databases.
  • D. Object storage is high-latency, throughput-oriented, and not designed for transactional database workloads requiring low-latency random access.

Block Storage Latency

Block storage delivers the lowest latency among common cloud storage types because it provides raw, direct access to storage volumes, allowing operating systems and applications to manage data at a granular level, similar to a physical hard drive.

  • Offers raw disk access.
  • Key for low-latency, high-performance applications.
  • Ideal for databases and boot volumes.
  • Often implemented with SSDs for maximum speed.

Memory trick: Block is Best for Blazing Speed.

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