Cloud Computing Bible

Chapter 15. Working with Cloud-Based Storage

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Drowning in a sea of data; saved by the cloud

• Categorizing cloud storage system types

• Examining file hosting and backing up to the cloud

• Comparing unmanaged and managed cloud storage

• Developing protocols for cloud storage interoperability

The world is creating massive amounts of data. A large percentage of that data either is already stored in the cloud, will be stored in the cloud, or will pass through the cloud during the data's lifecycle. Cloud storage systems are among the most successful cloud computing applications in use today. This chapter surveys the area of cloud storage systems, categorizes the different cloud storage system types, discusses file-sharing and backup software and systems, and describes the methods being used to get cloud storage systems to interoperate.

Cloud storage can be either unmanaged or managed. Unmanaged storage is presented to a user as if it is a ready-to-use disk drive. The user has little control over the nature of how the disk is used. Most user-oriented software such as file-sharing and backup consume unmanaged cloud storage. Applications using unmanaged cloud storage are Software as a Service (SaaS) Web services.

Managed storage involves the provisioning of raw virtualized disk and the use of that disk to support applications that use cloud-based storage. Storage options involved in formatting, partitioning, replicating data, and other options are available for managed storage. Applications ...