What is block storage?

Effective data storage and management is essential for any business, but it can sometimes be tricky knowing which solution to choose.

Well, one option you may want to consider if cloud-based block storage. In this article, we’ve explored all things block storage, including what it is, how it works, and why it might be suitable for your business – as well as an overview of how it compares to the alternative options.

What is cloud block storage?

Block storage is a cloud storage solution that divides your data into small, fixed-size units called ‘blocks’. These blocks often comprise of related data and are accessed independently; so, for instance, when you need to deploy an application, you already have all the relevant data bundled together.

Block storage is typically considered to be the middle ground between scalable object storage and highly-organised file storage. That said, it offers a much greater rate of granular control than the former and offers stronger flexibility than the latter.

How does block storage work?

The block data storage process can be complex, which is why it’s often recommended to work alongside an experienced storage consultant. They’ll guide you through the data division and storage process:

1.       Dividing your data into blocks

To get started, you’ll need to break down your data and start dividing it into blocks. Determining how to group data can depend on a few factors, including: data type, access patterns, and performance requirements. However, there are some simple strategies for dividing your data:

  • Fixed blocks: This strategy is the simplest and involves grouping data into blocks of a predetermined size – regardless of data type or purpose.
  • Data-oriented blocks: Here, data is grouped based on logical and semantic relationships; that is, the information is all somewhat similar and complementary.
  • Performance oriented blocks: Rather than grouping data based on similarity, here, information is blocked according to its performance characteristics.

Ultimately, the optimum approach will likely depend on the specific use case and expected outcome – so it might be necessary to conduct a little trial and error to find the perfect solution.

2.     Storing your blocks

Once your data is divided into blocks, you’ll need to store them somewhere (and add identifiers to each). This could be on an on-premises server, a virtual cloud network, or a hybrid combination.

How and where you store your blocks can impact scalability, efficiency, and cost; so, as with the first stage, it’s important to consider factors such as performance requirements and data access patterns, with common strategies including:

  • Contiguous allocation: Here, the priority is speedy retrieval of data in the right order, with blocks stored sequentially for optimised access. This allocation type is becoming less common, though, because it can lead to fragmentation.
  • Linked list allocation: In this instance, rather than being stored sequentially, blocks are managed separately – but each includes a link to the next to make it easy to access them in order. This allows you to maintain a sequence without needing to store your blocks contiguously.
  • Indexed allocation: With indexed allocation, block location is noted on an index, so you can straightforwardly find the individual dataset you need. This is close to a virtual file system.

If you’re interested in learning more about the block strategies to consider, based on your business’ unique requirements, reach out to our cloud storage experts.

What are the benefits of block storage?

There are a number of advantages of using block storage in cloud computing, including:

  • Granular control: Enjoy detailed control over your data, and access information at a block level. This is ideal if you’re deploying applications that need access to individual data units with speed and precision.
  • High performance: Block storage is typically optimised to deliver high performance and low latency.
  • Flexibility: With block storage, you can store your data in the way that suits your business needs.
  • Cost-effectiveness: Block storage providers often offer varying pricing models, depending on your business needs, so you’re unlikely to end up over-resourcing and spending more than necessary.
  • Cloud integration: Block storage can easily be integrated alongside other cloud-native services, to enhance business performance and complement your wider IT infrastructure.

What to consider before choosing block storage

Of course, while there are various benefits of block storage, it’s important to first-bear in mind:

  • Performance requirements: Consider the level of performance required of your block storage, and whether your chosen vendor is capable of offering the service. This includes data consistency and processing latency.
  • Data type: Consider whether your data is structured (organised) or unstructured (unorganised). If you’re working with unstructured data, consider whether block storage is an appropriate solution.
  • Access patterns: This refers to the way and frequency in which you access your data, including sequential, random, or mixed access. Knowing how you’ll be reading your data can influence your storage decision.
  • Scalability: If you anticipate your storage requirements growing (or contracting), make sure to identify whether your chosen provider is capable of scaling with your business. If not, you may suffer vendor lock-in.
  • Cost: Finally, consider the cost effectiveness of your decision to choose a certain storage solution or provider over another.

Alternative cloud storage solutions

We’ve previously referenced the two most popular alternatives to block storage, but it’s worth delving deeper into the other cloud storage solutions you might also want to consider!

Object storage

With cloud object storage, data is stored as individual objects. Each object is then assigned a unique code and stored on a flat structure, rather than being categorised and organised.

To find an object, you’ll need to know its specific identifier. While object storage isn’t designed for high-organisation, it is capable of storing and handling huge amounts of unstructured data.

File storage

At the other end of the spectrum, file storage offers extreme structure, allowing you to store your data in a highly organised, hierarchical directory.

It’s pretty much an intricate, virtual filing system. This makes file storage a popular choice for companies managing lots of structured data; however, though this solution facilitates expert organisation and performance, scaling can be tricky.

Interested in learning more about cloud block storage?

With virtual computing on the rise, block storage has grown into a popular solution for cloud native businesses looking for effective data management.

If block storage sounds like the right fit for your business (or if you just want more advice around choosing the right storage model), get in touch with our team of experienced consultants. Alternatively, check out our blog for even more guidance around migrating to the cloud.


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