Google Cloud Digital LeaderInfrastructure modernization with Google CloudMedium
A media company needs to store petabytes of video archives that are rarely accessed but must be retained for compliance reasons. When access is required, retrieval times can be flexible, up to a few hours. Cost efficiency is the primary concern for this long-term storage. Which Google Cloud Storage class should they use?
- ANearline Storage
- BColdline Storage
- CStandard Storage
- DArchive Storage
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Archive Storage
Archive Storage is designed for long-term archiving with very low storage costs and relaxed retrieval time requirements (typically within hours), making it the most cost-effective option for rarely accessed data with flexible access needs.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Nearline Storage is for data accessed less than once a month, with retrieval in milliseconds, which is faster and more expensive than needed.
- B. Coldline Storage is for data accessed less than once a quarter, with retrieval in milliseconds, still faster and more expensive than needed for flexible access times.
- C. Standard Storage is for frequently accessed data, which is too expensive for this use case.
Google Cloud Storage Classes
Different tiers of object storage in Google Cloud, optimized for varying access frequencies and cost requirements.
- Standard: Frequent access, lowest access cost.
- Nearline: Less than monthly access, slightly higher access cost.
- Coldline: Less than quarterly access, higher access cost.
- Archive: Less than yearly access, highest access cost, lowest storage cost.
Memory trick: Storage classes: Access less, pay less for the mass!