Professional Cloud ArchitectManage and provision solution infrastructureMedium
A media company is building a new content delivery platform on Google Cloud. They need to store large video files (several terabytes each) that are accessed frequently for streaming, requiring high throughput and low latency. The files must be highly durable and available across a region. Which Google Cloud storage class and location type should they choose?
- AStandard storage, Regional
- BColdline storage, Regional
- CNearline storage, Regional
- DStandard storage, Multi-Regional
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Standard storage, Regional
Standard storage is designed for frequently accessed data with high throughput and low latency, which is essential for video streaming. A Regional location type provides high availability within a region and is suitable when global distribution isn't explicitly required but regional resilience is.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Coldline storage is for data accessed less than once a quarter, which is too infrequent and has higher access costs/latency for streaming videos.
- C. Nearline storage is for data accessed less than once a month, which is too infrequent for 'frequently accessed' video streaming.
- D. Multi-Regional storage offers global availability but is more expensive than Regional, and the scenario only specifies 'available across a region'. Standard storage is correct for access frequency.
Cloud Storage Standard Regional
The Cloud Storage Standard class is for frequently accessed data requiring high performance, combined with a Regional location type for high availability within a specific geographic region.
- Highest performance and lowest latency.
- Suitable for frequently accessed data (e.g., streaming, interactive websites).
- Regional location offers high durability and availability within a single region.
- Cost-effective for regional deployments compared to Multi-Regional.
Memory trick: Standard Regional is the standard choice for speedy streaming in one region.