3-1-4 Object Storage Explained
Key Concepts
- Object Storage
- Data Objects
- Metadata
- Scalability
- Durability
Object Storage
Object Storage is a data storage architecture that manages data as objects, rather than as files in folders or as blocks in sectors. Each object is stored in a flat address space, making it easier to scale and manage large volumes of unstructured data.
Data Objects
Data Objects are the individual units of data stored in an object storage system. Each object can be any type of file, such as images, videos, documents, or backups. Objects are identified by a unique identifier and can be accessed directly without the need for a hierarchical file system.
Metadata
Metadata is data about data, and in object storage, it is associated with each data object. Metadata provides additional information about the object, such as its creation date, size, type, and access permissions. This information helps in organizing, searching, and managing objects efficiently.
Scalability
Scalability in object storage refers to the ability to easily increase storage capacity and performance as data grows. Object storage systems are designed to scale horizontally by adding more storage nodes, allowing for virtually unlimited storage capacity without performance degradation.
Durability
Durability in object storage ensures that data is protected against hardware failures and data loss. Object storage systems use techniques such as data redundancy, replication, and erasure coding to ensure that data remains accessible and intact even in the event of hardware failures.
Examples and Analogies
Think of object storage as a massive warehouse where each item (data object) is stored with a unique barcode (identifier) and a detailed description tag (metadata). The warehouse can easily expand by adding more storage racks (scalability), and each item is duplicated and stored in different locations to prevent loss (durability).
Another analogy is a library where each book (data object) has a unique ISBN number (identifier) and a card catalog (metadata) that describes the book. The library can grow by adding more shelves (scalability), and each book is stored in multiple copies to ensure availability (durability).