Now I know why cartoonists always draw a cloud while depicting a character that is thinking. Especially in the 21st century, this depiction proves cent percent true, because the cloud is all on our mind.
When we talk about the cloud, how can we miss out on the element of storage? Today, when businesses are expanding at an exuberant pace, storage is something that corporates need to factor in without fail.
In the era where resources for information gathering are proliferating along with digitization, sooner or later, every business will need more space for data storage.
Information in several digital forms such as emails, contact us inquiries, presentations, documents, databases, and more works as fuel for most companies, and trust, the applications that protect these files and keep data safe for future business activities demand huge disk space.
Decoding data storage
What is data storage?
Data storage is a method of capturing and storing information obtained from digital or electromagnetic sources for further use.
Today, storage solutions are widely used at the personal and enterprise level. It is not surprising to learn that information ranging from personal pictures to business-critical information needs data storage options to preserve and use this information.
Types of data storage (for enterprises)
Storage is one of the most necessary elements of IT for almost every business. And as the storage demands increase, development in this genre of technology now offers several options for enterprises.
Let us check out what they are:
There are four primary options that enterprises can explore and consider. Find out about them in detail right here.
1. Direct Attached Storage (DAS)
Recognized as one of the most reasonably priced data storage solutions, DAS or Direct Attached Storage is a solution that is numerically attached to servers, CPUs, and devices.
This particular option enables storage to exercise control on the maximum bandwidth, and also control the speed of access.
Pro tip: Organizations that require uninterrupted storage solutions can opt for DAS and make the most of its cost-effective value addition.
2. Network Attached Storage (NAS)
It is essential to know that Network Attached Storage offers excellent cloud and hard-drive-based storage solutions to businesses. Access to data in this solution can be gained with the data present in NAS with a network that is linked to devices that are involved in controlling and stocking data.
Another USP of NAS is that the network storage solution works at the file level and enables systems to link with each other via file-based systems.
Pro tip: Companies that are looking to control IoT (Internet of Things) and big data can significantly benefit from this storage option.
3. Storage Area Network (SAN)
Storage Area Network is fast and dedicated to enabling access and sharing of storage servers and systems. This cohesive technique offers advanced level data security, tolerance of future system failures, and maintenance. Furthermore, as the SAN storage option shares similar storage properties, it is extremely easy and budget-friendly for businesses to increase storage capacity.
Pro tip: Companies looking for inexpensive storage expansion options can opt for SAN.
4. Cloud storage
Last and the most talked about is cloud storage solutions. Believe it or not, cloud storage interestingly is witnessing an exceptional rise in both demand and popularity. Today, a large number of companies are eyeing the potential of cloud storage and desire to stock and store their data on the cloud in some or the other form. The most lucrative benefit of cloud storage solutions is it offers cost-effectiveness and scalability.
Pro tip: Cloud storage comes in an OpEx format, and businesses can avail additional storage by only paying for what they need.
Top 3 data storage technology trends that make a difference
With an extensively growing amount of data, the concept of data storage has gained a rapid pace. Every business wants to store and secure information to use it to improve the bottom line of the business. Not just this, but data is used in varied ways to benefit enterprises in several ways significantly.
However, with an increase in popularity and adoption, data storage has witnessed several trends right from compatible disks to USBs to cloud and flash storage.
So, let’s check out what the current trends have in store for businesses.
1. DNA storage
I am sure a lot of us are aware of the concept of DNA in human anatomy. Let us figure out what this acronym has got to do with storage.
Recognized as one of the most futuristic technologies within the genre of data storage, DNA is a concept that enables the system to store data in Domain Name System (DNS) molecules. Additionally, the most attractive feature of this technology is that it has a track record of conquering the limitations of deploying silicon and has achieved the mark of 1 Exabyte in high-density storage and capacity.
It is interesting to learn about life extension of DNA, which is more than 500 years.
2. Crystals
On a more realistic note, crystal technology works on data storage in a minute and durable glass structures. Made with lasers, these crystals are designed to encode data in microscopic structures of the glass surface.
Since every dimension of quartz is put to use, it is possible to store a massive amount of data on these crystals.
Based on its capacity, the technology is also referred to as 5D tech.
3. Blockchain structures
Apart from cryptocurrency, blockchain structures fare well in the data storage space. In fact, when the scalability element of cloud storage is in question, blockchain storage structures prove to be the most suitable answer.
Cost-effective in nature, these structures are more durable and less prone to disaster damages.
Another USP of blockchain structures is that they distribute data over several nodes, and just in case one of the systems is disrupted, the inbuilt mechanism to replicate data is at the rescue.
Conclusion
Data storage is essential for every business. Irrespective of the business size and type, it is imperative to have the most strategic data solutions in place.
