What is a file storage system?
File storage, or file-based storage, is a system of storing data, especially unstructured data, in a hierarchical structure that uses files and folders, much like a paper-based filing system with file cabinets and drawers. File storage is the predominant technology used on hard drives and network-attached storage systems.
What is file storage vs. block or object storage?
Object storage is a flat structure where files are broken into pieces, or objects, and spread out over a variety of hardware resources. Objects include a unique identifier that allows the object to be found in a distributed system along with metadata that describes the data. Block storage splits data into evenly sized blocks that each have their own address, but it includes no additional metadata that provides context for what the block contains.
What are the principal challenges of a file storage system?
Data trends such as big data, analytics and cloud storage technologies have resulted in a rapid growth of computer file storage. A growing number of applications that use strictly file-based access has also contributed to the increase in file storage requirements. Managing this growth can be complex, and without the right data storage solutions, data can be isolated in silos or rendered unavailable for retrieval and analytics.