A Description of Cloud Storage with Links and Comparisons Following
Cloud storage is a model of networked online storage where data is stored in virtualized pools of storage which are generally hosted by third parties. Hosting companies operate large data centers, and people who require their data to be hosted buy or lease storage capacity from them. The operators, in the background, virtualize the resources according to the requirements of the customer and expose them as storage pools, which the customers can themselves use to store files or data objects. Physically, the resource may span across multiple servers.
Cloud storage services may be accessed through a web service application programming interface(API), a cloud storage gateway or through a Web-based user interface.
Cloud storage has several advantages over traditional data storage. You wouldn’t need to carry around you backup hard drive, USB stick or other form of portable data storage device.; or use the same computer to save and retrieve your information. If you do store your data on a Cloud storage system, that data is always accessible 24/7 from any location that has Internet access. Some Cloud storage solutions even allow other people to access the data, allowing you and your colleagues to use the cloud to make a project into a collaborative effort.
Cloud storage is convenient and offers portability and flexibility and sounds great.
But there are concerns to address:
- How exactly does cloud storage work?
- How much do storage space I need?
- How do the free services compare to the paid ones?
- What are the costs involved for the fee-based service? What do you get for your money
- How many services are there and what are the cost to benefit ratio comparisons between them?
- Is your data safe? Is it backed up on more than one server? Is it hacker proof?
- Cloud storage is a rich resource for both hackers and national security agencies.
- How is its user interface: is it complex or easy to navigate?
- How is its accessibility model: How easy is it to upload and download your files.
- Can you easily synh your cloud files with your desktop, laptop or other portable device?
You can read more about it at Wikipedia by clicking on the link below.
There are a wide variety of choices for Cloud storage I have provided you with links to some of the major players with some info on each one so you can judge for yourself:
Article Source: Wikipedia. Read More at Wikipedia