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M.Ark
M.Ark

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Types of Data Storage

Stored data refers to data at rest. Data at rest means that a type of storage device retains the data when no user or process is using it. A storage device can be local (on a computing device) or centralized (on the network). A number of options exist for storing data.

Direct-attached storage (DAS) is storage connected to a computer. A hard drive or USB flash drive is an example of direct-attached storage. By default, systems are not set up to share direct-attached storage.

Redundant array of independent disks (RAID) uses multiple hard drives in an array, which is a method of combining multiple disks so that the operating system sees them as a single disk. RAID provides improved performance and fault tolerance.

A network attached storage (NAS) device is a storage device connected to a network that allows storage and retrieval of data from a centralized location by authorized network users. NAS devices are flexible and scalable, meaning administrators can increase the capacity as needed.

A storage area network (SAN) architecture is a network based storage system. SAN systems connect to the network using high-speed interfaces allowing improved performance and the ability to connect multiple servers to a centralized disk storage repository.

Cloud storage is a remote storage option that uses space on a data center provider and is accessible from any computer with Internet access. Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox are all examples of cloud storage providers.

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