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A healthcare provider is migrating its legacy patient record system to Google Cloud. The system generates auditing logs and patient data that must be stored for seven years to comply with regulatory requirements. These data are accessed infrequently (once or twice a year) but must be immediately retrievable when needed. Which Google Cloud Storage class is the most cost-effective while meeting these requirements?
- AArchive storage
- BColdline storage
- CStandard storage
- DNearline storage
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Coldline storage
Coldline storage is designed for data accessed less than once a month, with a minimum storage duration of 90 days. It offers lower storage costs than Nearline but slightly higher retrieval costs and a 90-second retrieval SLA, which meets the requirement for immediate retrieval for data accessed once or twice a year.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Archive storage is for data accessed less than once a year, with higher retrieval costs and longer retrieval times (minutes to hours), not meeting 'immediately retrievable'.
- C. Standard storage is for frequently accessed data, making it too expensive for data accessed only once or twice a year.
- D. Nearline storage is for data accessed less than once a month, but Coldline is more cost-effective for even less frequent access (once or twice a year).
Google Cloud Coldline Storage
A low-cost storage class for data accessed less than once a month, with a minimum storage duration of 90 days and a 90-second retrieval SLA.
- Optimized for data accessed less than once a month.
- 90-day minimum storage duration.
- 90-second retrieval SLA, suitable for 'immediate' access.
Memory trick: Standard is quick, Nearline is near, Coldline is cold, Archive's far.