With the introduction of virtual memory in the technological world, many companies have stopped using local storage devices. They either use cloud storage devices or a hybrid mix of them. Continue reading to know more.
Are you also confused about which storage type has better benefits between cloud storage and local storage? If so, you’re in the correct place. Whether you’re looking for solutions to host a gaming website with titles such as Book of Ramses, a blog, or an eCommerce platform, here are our ideas on the topic. Below is a presentation of the main differences between cloud storage best and other memory options that will help you make a better purchase along with additional knowledge.
About Cloud Technology
Cloud technology was introduced in the last two decades and has quickly become popular due to its incredible applications. It provides remarkable data recovery, structural storing of the data, and even an architectural application suited for all types of businesses.
However, just like some companies prefer local saving, some prefer virtual memory, and a few others prefer a hybrid mix. After all, it saves 70% of business consumption in buying hardware for data. It also allows the users to transfer and access their files freely without needing any physical drive to put up portability issues.
For instance, cloud computing gives the gaming industry increased freedom, mobility, and most gaming companies save essential, sensitive information about their users in cloud storage.
Difference Between Local and Cloud Storage
To understand which one is better, let’s know the cloud storage definition and local data device details.
Cloud-based memory is typically a process in which digital data is transferred and stored in a digital space. Space is spread over various locations and servers for safety purposes as well. However, the digital space is usually maintained and hosted by the company itself. Some of the cloud storage examples are Google Drive, Dropbox, and much more.
Local Memory or Storage is the process where you store data in the digital form onto a physical device. There are various types of local memory devices in today’s world, and each of them comes with its benefits. It includes SSDs (Solid State Drives), HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), or any other type of external device like discs, DVDs, etc.
The very primary difference between the above two is that virtual memory provides a gigantic and better off-site solution for your storage needs. It is also safer in comparison to the local storage devices.
Cloud Storage Advantages
Given below is the list of cloud storage advantages of using virtualized memory:
Pricing
Buying external/physical devices as SSD or HDD can be pricey. However, virtual memory does not need any sort of hardware for storing data. This makes it quite a cheaper option per GB in comparison to the external one.
Accessibility
When it may be hard to carry the additional physical memory devices everywhere, accessing virtual memory can be done anywhere, simply using an internet connection. You don’t have to worry about carrying the extra burden with you.
Recovery
If there is any sort of malfunction or drive failure, your data can be easily accessed by the files stored in the cloud storage online. Not only does it provide security to your data, but it also serves as a backup for the external drive you own. It is possible with the help of a particular feature offered by the cloud known as Zerto Virtual Replication 6.0. This technology has been proven to be effective at storing data without any breach issues, along with providing a solid and reliable backup.
Updating And Syncing
When you may have to add every new file on your physical drive manually, you may feel happy about the cloud option. Cloud storage provides a unique feature that automatically changes and updates your data whenever connected to the internet. Not only will it happen on your device, but on every device that is connected to the internet.
Security
The majority of us have security concerns that can commonly be seen on the internet. However, virtualized storage provides an extra layer of security for every single byte it holds. As there are tons of data present on a single drive, it makes sure that nobody apart from you has access to your drive.
Efficient Collaboration
Virtual memory can be used efficiently along with teams as well. Due to its automated service that allows the data to be updated on an account altogether, other people who have the same account can access the data without any issues.
Cloud Storage Features
Virtualization, collaboration tools, web applications, exceptional recovery solutions, data protection, centralization, security protocols, and various other cloud storage features are available to every single user of the virtual memory.
Cloud Storage Disadvantages
Given below is the list of the cloud storage disadvantages you might face with virtualized storage:
Internet Connection
Using virtualized memory properly is entirely dependent on the availability of the internet. Your unstable internet network can not only cause a lot of issues like time wastage and data inaccessibility, but it can also affect your whole productivity in the longer run.
Cost
Many virtual drives allow you to both download and upload data to the server. However, there are certain charges for every file you upload. This can surely rank a lot higher if you’re uploading several files.
Hard Drives
You may love to be efficient with carrying your data, which is a good thing. However, most of the providers of virtual memory do need an additional external drive for working as well.
Support
If you’re using a free cloud storage app, you may face few problems with their support issue.
Privacy
Using a cloud service, your digital data is not stored in any physically accessible form. The privacy of your data is still something even the provider cannot promise. However, the service isn’t that bad.
Local Storage Merits
Given below are the advantages of using physical storage drives:
Accessing Speed
When you upload or download something, you will observe that the transferring speed is way higher in local drives than the virtual drives.
Overall Security Control
When it comes to using cloud storage for business, the privacy of your data becomes a major concern. Physical storage gives you total control of what to do with your data, accessing it any time, and much more.
Local Storage Demerits
Given below is a list of the problems you may face while using hard storage drives:
Accessibility
You may be able to get total control over your data. However, this will limit your data collaboration with other team members as it will be hard to access and share. This especially becomes a problem when remote collaboration is taking place.
Price
With the higher cost of infrastructure and hardware, getting physical devices with high space will only increase the deal’s price.
Advanced Backup/DR
The backup of data is essential for all professional users and companies. In this case, using a hard drive for data storage can lead to backup problems. There is no backup carried by a hard drive. If you accidentally lose the data, it cannot be recovered at any cost.
Final Thoughts: Which One Is Better For You?
We can start by saying that it all comes down to your business goals, majorly for deciding the right kind of storage you will need. We have seen that cloud storage deals help to preserve your data digitally. This also allows you to save 70% consumption of finance used in buying hardware for it. However, many companies are going to hybrid vehicles instead of going for any single type of memory device. This is because it fulfills the majority of the business needs as well.
Also, there are specific tasks that neither digital nor physical storage devices can help us out with. The selection of a hybrid technical aspect made things quite easier here. No matter which way you go along with them, you’ll be blessed with amazing data along with quick results. They also enable better accessibility along with collaboration between the teams.
This also clarifies the differences in privacy reasons that each provider carries. Strong privacy and security are pretty important things for protecting various data assets. However, for the improvement of the business, it’s wiser to opt for a reliable system and has good security.
After seeing all the details about the physical and virtual drive options above, we can conclude that each of them has its own pros and cons. However, cloud storage turns out to be the better option for modern-day’s usages if you can compromise with some of its disadvantages. It certainly can do way more than what local memory options can do. If you like this article, don’t forget to tell us about your views in the comment section.
Author Bio:
Jeffrey Bishop is a computer science graduate who currently lives in Chicago. He loves all things gaming, cloud storage, and cryptocurrency. Jeffrey writes for different publications on emerging technologies in his spare time.
Jeffrey is a guest blogger. All opinions are his own.
