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Summary
Cloud-based storage solutions let you save and access your data over the internet, making it easy to store files, back up important information, and share content from anywhere. These services use object storage, which organizes data with unique identifiers and metadata, allowing for scalable, secure, and flexible management of everything from personal files to massive data lakes.
Assess your needs: Take stock of how much data you’ll store, how sensitive it is, and how often you’ll need to access it before choosing a cloud storage provider.
Compare features: Look into storage options like Amazon S3, Google Drive, or Icedrive, and check for important features such as security, privacy, and regional compliance support.
Experiment first: Try out cloud storage tools with test data to get comfortable with how object storage works and to see which service best fits your workflow.
This video examines low-cost cloud storage options compared to major providers like AWS and Microsoft Azure. It highlights affordable services like Icedrive, Sync.com, pCloud, MEGA, and Google Drive, detailing their features and ideal users. Icedrive stands out for its security and affordability, while pCloud and MEGA offer excellent privacy. The discussion includes when to choose budget-friendly providers, emphasizing their benefits for small businesses and personal use. Consideration of regional service availability and compliance needs is crucial. Overall, the article guides users to select storage solutions based on cost, features, and specific geographic or regulatory requirements.
I often hear the term object storage, and at first glance, it might seem like regular file storage—but it’s actually quite different. If you're working in the cloud, you're almost certainly storing data in some form of object storage.
So, what exactly is object storage, and where is it used?
Unlike traditional file storage, which organizes data in folders and hierarchies, object storage uses a flat structure. Each file (or object) is stored with a unique identifier and metadata, making it easier to retrieve and manage at scale.
Why Do Data Engineers Use Object Storage?
It’s scalable, cost-effective, and flexible, allowing us to store structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data without worrying about rigid file systems. Common use cases include:
Data Lakes – Storing raw and processed data for analytics and machine learning
Backups & Archiving – Keeping historical data and logs for long-term storage
Big Data Processing – Working with tools like Apache Spark, Databricks, and Hadoop
Streaming & IoT – Handling large-scale event-driven workloads
Where Do You See Object Storage?
If you're using the cloud, you're already working with object storage. Popular services include:
AWS S3 (Simple Storage Service)
Azure Blob Storage
Google Cloud Storage (GCS)
On-prem solutions like MinIO and Ceph for hybrid environments
Key Takeaway
Object storage isn’t just another way to store files—it’s the backbone of modern data engineering. It’s perfect for big data workloads, batch processing, and real-time analytics, but it’s not meant for transactional databases.
If you're new to object storage, start experimenting with S3, Blob Storage, or GCS to see how it works in action. It’s one of those must-know concepts for any cloud-based data engineer.