CLOUD STORAGE

We spend a lot of time collecting data with a computer, and try to find ways to store the data. We store it in hard drives, in compact discs or in our thumb drives. There comes a certain point when we find that storage space is limited and we have to delete some folders or files to make way for new files. The issue here is the limitation of space or storing device.

Remember these floppy discs we used in the 90s? They were easily damaged, corrupted, limited in memory, and not reliable. But we had to do with what we had then..

Computer technology relative to storage has evolved immensely. These days, cloud storage has gained in popularity. What is cloud storage basically? It is actually a means to store data at an off-site storage system (i.e. cloud), maintained by a third party. Users can access the files stored there from different locations, provided there are internet connections. Cloud storage is not only available on computers, it is also available with smartphones, laptops and tablets. With cloud storage, you don't have to worry about storage costs, some providers offer no charge at all. You also don't have to worry about storage device. What I like most about cloud storage is the ability to share files with your peers. Get rid of emailing, thumb drives, compact disks etc.

There are typically four types of cloud storage:

1. Personal Cloud Storage

This is a subset of public cloud storage that applies to storing an individual's data in the cloud and providing the individual with access to the data from anywhere. It also provides data syncing and sharing capabilities across multiple devices.

Example: Apple's iCloud, Google Drive, Windows SkyDrive and Amazon's Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3)

2. Public Cloud Storage

This is a type of storage where the enterprise and storage service provider are separate and there aren't any cloud resources stored in the enterprise's data center. The cloud storage provider fully manages the enterprise's public cloud storage.

Example:  Dropbox, iCloud, Microsoft SkyDrive, Live Mesh, Ubuntu One, Box.net, SugarSync and Google Drive

3. Private Cloud Storage

This is a form of cloud storage where the enterprise and cloud storage provider are integrated in the enterprise's data center. In private cloud storage, the storage provider has infrastructure in the enterprise's data center that is typically managed by the storage provider. Private cloud storage helps resolve the potential for security and performance concerns while still offering the advantages of cloud storage.

Example: Hitachi Data Systems Cloud Service for Private File Tiering.

4. Hybrid Cloud Storage

A combination of public and private cloud storage where some critical data resides in the enterprise's private cloud while other data is stored and accessible from a public cloud storage provider. Hybrid cloud storage is often used to supplement internal storage with public cloud storage.

These are top 10 cloud storage from http://www.top10cloudstorage.com/cloud-storage/ customer reviews:

Despite its many benefits, cloud storage is not exceptional to risks and dangers and most cloud storage services offer no data guarantee. The cloud storage providers protect themselves from lawsuits by removing all responsibility to keep user files accessible. Take Amazon for example:

Amazon Cloud Drive: "We do not guarantee that Your Files will not be subject to misappropriation, loss or damage and we will not be liable if they are. You’re responsible for maintaining appropriate security, protection and backup of Your Files."

One of the dangers with cloud storage is when you lose access to your data if the could storage provider face technical issues. The more common danger is when you lose access to internet, therefore you are not able to access your data at all. Your data is also vulnerable and might be infiltrated by hackers. Reliability issue is also another concern. You may not want to save data to a failure-prone system, nor trust a company that is financially unstable. 

Therefore, storing your files exclusively on a cloud service is a terrible idea. You still need to back-up your data, or you will be the one responsible if your data is lost forever. It is a good computing action to store your data in more than one location. I'm not saying this based on nothing, it happened to me once. My son asked whether he can uninstall my dropbox folder in his laptop so I said go ahead since I now (proudly) own a laptop. So voila!! The folder was deleted.. When I opened my laptop and my tablet, all files and folders in my dropbox were gone.. Huwaa!!!! But being genius that I am, I quickly found out that I can restore all those information.. Phew! It was a loooooong day.... But I haven't actually discovered whether my files were gone because my son uninstalled the folder or I was the cuplrit.. Well... Let's leave it at that.. 

p/s: I still love cloud storage though :-)

References:

http://www.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-storage.htm

http://www.top10cloudstorage.com/