BCAM051

CLOUD COMPUTING

UNIT 3 Cloud Architecture, Services

And Storage

SYLLABUS

Cloud Architecture, Services And Storage: Layered Cloud

Architecture Design – NIST Cloud Computing Reference Architecture
– Public, Private and Hybrid Clouds – laaS – PaaS – SaaS –
Architectural Design Challenges – Cloud Storage – Storage‐as‐a‐
Service – Advantages of Cloud Storage – Cloud Storage Providers –
S3.
Cloud Computing Architecture
Architecture of cloud computing is the combination of both SOA (Service Oriented
Architecture) and EDA (Event Driven Architecture). Client infrastructure, application, service,
runtime cloud, storage, infrastructure, management and security all these are the components
of cloud computing architecture.
The cloud architecture is divided into 2 parts, i.e.

1.Frontend
2.Backend
The below figure represents an internal architectural view of cloud computing.

1. Frontend
Frontend of the cloud architecture refers to the
client side of cloud computing system. Means it
contains all the user interfaces and applications
which are used by the client to access the cloud
computing services/resources. For example, use
of a web browser to access the cloud platform.
2. Backend
Backend refers to the cloud itself which is used
by the service provider. It contains the resources
as well as manages the resources and provides
security mechanisms. Along with this, it includes
huge storage, virtual applications, virtual
machines, traffic control mechanisms,
deployment models, etc.
Components of Cloud Computing Architecture
Following are the components of Cloud Computing Architecture
1.Client Infrastructure – Client Infrastructure is a part of the frontend component. It contains
the applications and user interfaces which are required to access the cloud platform. In other
words, it provides a GUI( Graphical User Interface ) to interact with the cloud.

2.Application : Application is a part of backend component that refers to a software or

platform to which client accesses. Means it provides the service in backend as per the client
requirement.

3.Service: Service in backend refers to the major three types of cloud based services
like SaaS, PaaS and IaaS. Also manages which type of service the user accesses.

4.Runtime Cloud: Runtime cloud in backend provides the execution and Runtime
platform/environment to the Virtual machine.

5.Storage: Storage in backend provides flexible and scalable storage service and management
of stored data.

6.Infrastructure: Cloud Infrastructure in backend refers to the hardware and software

components of cloud like it includes servers, storage, network devices, virtualization software
etc.

7.Management: Management in backend refers to management of backend components like

application, service, runtime cloud, storage, infrastructure, and other security mechanisms etc.
8.Security: Security in backend refers to implementation of different security mechanisms in
the backend for secure cloud resources, systems, files, and infrastructure to end-users.

9.Internet: Internet connection acts as the medium or a bridge between frontend and backend
and establishes the interaction and communication between frontend and backend.

10.Database: Database in backend refers to provide database for storing structured data, such
as SQL and NOSQL databases. Example of Databases services include Amazon RDS, Microsoft
Azure SQL database and Google CLoud SQL.

11.Networking: Networking in backend services that provide networking infrastructure for

application in the cloud, such as load balancing, DNS and virtual private networks.

12.Analytics: Analytics in backend service that provides analytics capabilities for data in the
cloud, such as warehousing, business intelligence and machine learning.
Benefits of Cloud Computing Architecture
•Makes overall cloud computing system simpler.
•Improves data processing requirements.
•Helps in providing high security.
•Makes it more modularized.
•Results in better disaster recovery.
•Gives good user accessibility.
•Reduces IT operating costs.
•Provides high level reliability.
•Scalability.

Layered Architecture of Cloud

The layered architecture of the cloud allows for scalable and efficient resource management.
For a deeper understanding of cloud architecture and its integration into DevOps pipelines,
the DevOps Engineering – Planning to Production course covers cloud computing best
practices with hands-on examples.

Application Layer
1.The application layer, which is at the top of the stack, is where the actual cloud apps are
located. Cloud applications, as opposed to traditional applications, can take advantage of
the automatic-scaling functionality to gain greater performance, availability, and lower
operational costs.

2.This layer consists of different Cloud Services which are used by cloud users. Users can
access these applications according to their needs. Applications are divided into Execution
layers and Application layers.
3.In order for an application to transfer data, the application layer determines whether
communication partners are available. Whether enough cloud resources are accessible for the
required communication is decided at the application layer. Applications must cooperate in
order to communicate, and an application layer is in charge of this.
4.The application layer, in particular, is responsible for processing IP traffic handling protocols
like Telnet and FTP. Other examples of application layer systems include web browsers, SNMP
protocols, HTTP protocols, or HTTPS, which is HTTP’s successor protocol.
Platform Layer
1.The operating system and application software make up this layer.

2.Users should be able to rely on the platform to provide them with Scalability,
Dependability, and Security Protection which gives users a space to create their apps, test
operational processes, and keep track of execution outcomes and performance. SaaS
application implementation’s application layer foundation.
3.The objective of this layer is to deploy applications directly on virtual machines.
4.Operating systems and application frameworks make up the platform layer, which is built on
top of the infrastructure layer. The platform layer’s goal is to lessen the difficulty of deploying
programmers directly into VM containers.
5.By way of illustration, Google App Engine functions at the platform layer to provide API
support for implementing storage, databases, and business logic of ordinary web apps.
Infrastructure Layer
1.It is a layer of virtualization where physical resources are divided into a collection of virtual
resources using virtualization technologies like Xen, KVM, and VMware.

2.This layer serves as the Central Hub of the Cloud Environment, where resources are
constantly added utilizing a variety of virtualization techniques.
3.A base upon which to create the platform layer. constructed using the virtualized network,
storage, and computing resources. Give users the flexibility they want.

4.Automated resource provisioning is made possible by virtualization, which also improves

infrastructure management.
5.The infrastructure layer sometimes referred to as the virtualization layer, partitions the
physical resources using virtualization technologies like Xen, KVM, Hyper-V, and VMware to
create a pool of compute and storage resources.
6.The infrastructure layer is crucial to cloud computing since virtualization technologies are the
only ones that can provide many vital capabilities, like dynamic resource assignment.
Datacenter Layer
•In a cloud environment, this layer is responsible for Managing Physical Resources such as
servers, switches, routers, power supplies, and cooling systems.
•Providing end users with services requires all resources to be available and managed in data
centers.
•Physical servers connect through high-speed devices such as routers and switches to the data
center.
•In software application designs, the division of business logic from the persistent data it
manipulates is well-established. This is due to the fact that the same data cannot be
incorporated into a single application because it can be used in numerous ways to support
numerous use cases. The requirement for this data to become a service has arisen with the
introduction of microservices.
•A single database used by many microservices creates a very close coupling. As a result, it is
hard to deploy new or emerging services separately if such services need database
modifications that may have an impact on other services. A data layer containing many
databases, each serving a single microservice or perhaps a few closely related microservices, is
needed to break complex service interdependencies.

What is the NIST Architecture in Cloud Computing

The NIST SP 500-292 breaks down into several sections that define and explain all elements of cloud computing. These

form a taxonomy with four distinct levels, each representing a more nuanced, niche set of terms. The first two levels

define the most essential terms:

•The Level 1 terms – A set of Roles that collectively comprise the cloud Reference Model
•The Level 2 terms – A set of Activities that define the model’s Architectural Components
By understanding these terms and the relationships between them, any company can begin to optimize its cloud

computing security architecture in response to ever-evolving cloud threats.

The NIST’s Cloud Computing Architecture Model

The first portion of NIST SP 500-292 defines the relationships between all stakeholders involved in cloud computing.

There are five major roles detailed within NIST SP 500-292:

•Cloud Consumer

•Cloud Provider
•Cloud Auditor

•Cloud Broker

•Cloud Carrier

As a disclaimer, these roles may be less stable today than they were in 2011, as providers and consumers alike have

changed drastically in nature and scale. Still, the definitions are useful as templates for understanding the basis of

stakeholders’ differing roles and responsibilities.

Public Cloud

A Public Cloud is Cloud Computing in which the infrastructure and services are owned and
operated by a third-party provider and made available to the public over the internet. The
public can access and use shared resources, such as servers, storage, and applications and the
main thing is you pay for what you used. . Examples of public cloud providers – are Amazon
Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Advantages
•Cost Efficient: In the public cloud, we have to pay for what we used. So it is more cost-
efficient than maintaining the physical servers or their own infrastructure.
•Automatic Software Updates: In the public cloud, there are automatic software updates.
we don’t have to update the software manually.
•Accessibility: Public clouds allow users to access their resources and applications from
anywhere in the world. We just need an internet connection to access it.
Disadvantages
•Security and Privacy Concerns: Public clouds can be vulnerable to data breaches, cyber
attacks, and other security risks. Since data is stored on servers owned by a third-party
provider, there is always a risk that confidential or sensitive data may be exposed or
compromised.
•Limited Control: With public cloud services, users have limited control over the
infrastructure and resources used to run their applications. This can make it difficult to
customize the environment to meet specific requirements.
•Reliance on Internet Connectivity: Public cloud services require a reliable and stable
internet connection to access the resources and applications hosted in the cloud. If the internet
connection is slow or unstable, it can affect the performance and availability of the services.
•Service Downtime: Public cloud providers may experience service downtime due to
hardware failures, software issues, or maintenance activities. This can result in temporary loss
of access to applications and data.
•Compliance and Regulatory Issues: Public cloud services may not meet certain
compliance or regulatory requirements, such as those related to data privacy or security. This
can create legal or contractual issues for businesses that are subject to these requirements.
•Cost Overruns: Public cloud services are typically billed on a pay-per-use basis, which can
result in unexpected cost overruns if usage exceeds anticipated levels. Additionally, the cost of
using public cloud services may increase over time, as providers adjust their pricing models or
add new features and services.
Private Cloud
A Private Cloud is a cloud computing environment in which the infrastructure and services are
owned and operated by a single organization, for example, a company or government, and it is
accessed by only authorized users within that organization. Private Cloud organizations have
their own data center. private cloud provides a higher level of security. Examples – HPE, Dell,
VMware, etc.
Advantages
•Security Status: Private clouds provide a higher level of security. as the organization has full
control over the cloud service. They can customize the servers to manage their security.
•Customization of Service: Private clouds allow organizations to customize the
infrastructure and services to meet their specific requirements. and also can customize the
security.
•Privacy: Private clouds provide increased privacy as the organization(company or government
) has more control over who has access to their data and resources.
Disadvantages
•Higher Cost: Private clouds require dedicated hardware, software, and networking
infrastructure, which can be expensive to acquire and maintain. This can make it challenging
for smaller businesses or organizations with limited budgets to implement a private cloud.
•Limited Scalability: Private clouds are designed to serve a specific organization, which
means that they may not be as scalable as public cloud services. This can make it difficult to
quickly add or remove resources in response to changes in demand.
•Technical Complexity: Setting up and managing a private cloud infrastructure requires
technical expertise and specialized skills. This can be a challenge for organizations that lack in-
house IT resources or expertise.
•Security Risks: Private clouds are typically considered more secure than public clouds since
they are operated within an organization’s own infrastructure. However, they can still be
vulnerable to security risks such as data breaches or cyber attacks.
•Lack of Standardization: Private clouds are often built using proprietary hardware and
software, which can make it challenging to integrate with other cloud services or migrate to a
different cloud provider in the future.
•Maintenance and Upgrades: Maintaining and upgrading a private cloud infrastructure can
be time-consuming and resource-intensive. This can be a challenge for organizations that need
to focus on other core business activities.
Hybrid Cloud
A hybrid cloud is a combination of both public and private cloud environments that allows
organizations to take advantage of the benefits of both types of clouds. It manages traffic
levels during peak usage periods It can provide greater flexibility, scalability, and cost-
effectiveness than using a single cloud environment. Examples – IBM, DataCore Software,
Rackspace, Threat Stack, Infinidat, etc.
Advantages
•Flexibility: Hybrid cloud stores its data (also sensitive) in a private cloud server. While public
server provides Flexibility and Scalability.
•Scalability: Hybrid cloud Enables organizations to move workloads back and forth between
their private and public clouds depending on their needs.
•Security: Hybrid cloud controls over highly sensitive data. and it provides high-level security.
Also, it takes advantage of the public cloud’s cost savings.
Disadvantages
•Complexity: Hybrid clouds are complex to set up and manage since they require integration
between different cloud environments. This can require specialized technical expertise and
resources.
•Cost: Hybrid clouds can be more expensive to implement and manage than either public or
private clouds alone, due to the need for additional hardware, software, and networking
infrastructure.
•Security Risks: Hybrid clouds are vulnerable to security risks such as data breaches or cyber
attacks, particularly when there is a lack of standardization and consistency between the
different cloud environments.
•Data Governance: Managing data across different cloud environments can be challenging,
particularly when it comes to ensuring compliance with regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA.
•Network Latency: Hybrid clouds rely on communication between different cloud
environments, which can result in network latency and performance issues.
•Integration Challenges: Integrating different cloud environments can be challenging,
particularly when it comes to ensuring compatibility between different applications and
services.
•Vendor Lock-In: Hybrid clouds may require organizations to work with multiple cloud
providers, which can result in vendor lock-in and limit the ability to switch providers in the
future.
Difference between Public Cloud vs Private Cloud vs Hybrid Cloud
Understanding the differences between public, private, and hybrid clouds is essential for
making the right infrastructure choices. The DevOps Engineering – Planning to
Production course provides a detailed comparison of cloud models and how they fit into
DevOps strategies.

Factors Public Cloud Private Cloud Hybrid Cloud

Resources are shared Resources are shared

It is a combination of public and private
Resources among multiple with a single
clouds. based on the requirement.
customers organization

Data of multiple Data of a single

organizations is organization is stored Data is stored in the public cloud, and provide
Tenancy
stored in the public in a clouds the public security in the public cloud.
cloud cloud
 Factors Public Cloud Private Cloud Hybrid Cloud

It can include a mix of public cloud pay-as-

Have a variety of you-go pricing, and private cloud fixed
Pay Model Pay what you used
pricing models pricing. It has other pricing models such as
consumption-based, subscription-based, etc.

Third-party service
Operated by Specific organization Can be a combination of both
provider

It has more It has scalability and flexibility by allowing

Scalability It has predictability
scalability and organizations to use a combination of public
and Flexibility and consistency
flexibility, and private cloud services.

Can be more expensive, but it can also be less

Expensive less expensive More expensive expensive , depending on the specific needs
and requirements of the organization.

The general public Restricted to a

Availability Can be a combination of both.
(over the internet) specific organization

What is IAAS?
Infrastructure As A Service (IAAS) is means of delivering computing infrastructure as on-
demand services. It is one of the three fundamental cloud service models. The user purchases
servers, software data center space, or network equipment and rent those resources through a
fully outsourced, on-demand service model. It allows dynamic scaling and the resources are
distributed as a service. It generally includes multiple-user on a single piece of hardware.
It totally depends upon the customer to choose its resources wisely and as per need. Also, it
provides billing management too.
Characteristics of IAAS (Infrastructure as a Service)
•IAAS is like renting virtual computers and storage space in the cloud.
•You have control over the operating systems, applications, and development frameworks.
•Scaling resources up or down is easy based on your needs.
Example of IAAS (Infrastructure As A Service)
•Amazon Web Services
•Microsoft Azure
•Google Compute Engine
•Digital Ocean
What is PAAS?
Platform As A Service (PAAS) is a cloud delivery model for applications composed of services
managed by a third party. It provides elastic scaling of your application which allows developers
to build applications and services over the internet and the deployment models include public,
private and hybrid.
Basically, it is a service where a third-party provider provides both software and hardware tools
to the cloud computing. The tools which are provided are used by developers. PAAS is also
known as Application PAAS. It helps us to organize and maintain useful applications and
services. It has a well-equipped management system and is less expensive compared to IAAS.

Characteristics of PAAS (Platform as a Service)

•PAAS is like a toolkit for developers to build and deploy applications without worrying about
infrastructure.
•Provides pre-built tools, libraries, and development environments.
•Developers focus on building and managing applications, while the provider handles
infrastructure management.
•It speeds up the development process and allows for easy collaboration among developers.
Examples of PAAS (Platform as a Service)
•AWS Lambda
•Google App Engine
•Google Cloud
•IBM Cloud
What is SAAS?
Software As A Service (SAAS) allows users to run existing online applications and it is a model
software that is deployed as a hosting service and is accessed over Output Rephrased/Re-
written Text the internet or software delivery model during which software and its associated
data are hosted centrally and accessed using their client, usually an online browser over the
web. SAAS services are used for the development and deployment of modern applications.
It allows software and its functions to be accessed from anywhere with good internet
connection device and a browser. An application is hosted centrally and also provides access to
multiple users across various locations via the internet.
Characteristics of SAAS (Software as a Service)
•Applications are ready to use, and updates and maintenance are handled by the provider.
•You access the software through a web browser or app, usually paying a subscription fee.
•It’s convenient and requires minimal technical expertise, ideal for non-technical users.
Example of SAAS (Software as a Service)
•Salesforce
•Google Workspace apps
•Microsoft 365
•Trello
•Zoom
•Slack
•Adobe Creative Cloud
Difference between IAAS, PAAS and SAAS
Basis Of IAAS PAAS SAAS

Stands for Infrastructure as a service. Platform as a service. Software as a service.

IAAS is used by network PAAS is used by SAAS is used by the end

Uses
architects. developers. user.

Access IAAS gives access to the PAAS gives access to run SAAS gives access to the
 Basis Of IAAS PAAS SAAS

time environment to
resources like virtual
deployment and
machines and virtual end user.
development tools for
storage.
application.

It is a cloud computing
It is a service model that It is a service model in cloud
model that delivers tools
provides virtualized computing that hosts
Model that are used for the
computing resources over software to make it available
development of
the internet. to clients.
applications.

It requires technical Some knowledge is There is no requirement

Technical knowledge. required for the basic setup. about technicalities
understanding. company handles
everything.

It is popular among It is popular among

It is popular among
developers who focus on consumers and companies,
Popularity developers and
the development of apps such as file sharing, email,
researchers.
and scripts. and networking.

It has around a 12% It has around 32% It has about a 27 % rise in

Percentage rise
increment. increment. the cloud computing model.

Used by the skilled Used by mid-level

Used among the users of
Usage developer to develop developers to build
entertainment.
unique applications. applications.

Amazon Web Services, Facebook, and Google MS Office web, Facebook

Cloud services.
sun, vCloud Express. search engine. and Google Apps.

AWS virtual private

Enterprise services. Microsoft Azure. IBM cloud analysis.
cloud.

Outsourced cloud
Salesforce Force.com, Gigaspaces. AWS, Terremark
services.

Operating System, Data of the application Nothing

User Controls Runtime, Middleware,
and Application data

It is highly scalable to suit It is highly scalable to suit

It is highly scalable and
Others the different businesses the small, mid and enterprise
flexible.
according to resources. level business

Advantages of IaaS
•The resources can be deployed by the provider to a customer’s environment at any given
time.
•Its ability to offer the users to scale the business based on their requirements.
•The provider has various options when deploying resources including virtual machines,
applications, storage, and networks.
•It has the potential to handle an immense number of users.
•It is easy to expand and saves a lot of money. Companies can afford the huge costs associated
with the implementation of advanced technologies.
•Cloud provides the architecture.
•Enhanced scalability and quite flexible.
•Dynamic workloads are supported.
Disadvantages of IaaS
•Security issues are there.
•Service and Network delays are quite a issue in IaaS.
When to Use IaaS
Choosing Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) sets businesses up for future success, irrespective
of their size. With IaaS, one can easily adjust their resources as your business grows or
changes, all without dealing with physical hardware. This means one have to only pay for what
they need, keeping costs in check. Plus, they have total control over their setup, allowing them
to customize it to fit your needs and keep up with industry standards. If they run into any
issues, they can count on support from their provider to help out. And with IaaS, they are
always up-to-date with the latest tech advancements, keeping them competitive in the market.
So, by using IaaS, businesses can stay flexible, save money, and keep up with the times,
paving the way for future innovation and success.
Advantages of PaaS
•Programmers need not worry about what specific database or language the application has
been programmed in.
•It offers developers the to build applications without the overhead of the underlying operating
system or infrastructure.
•Provides the freedom to developers to focus on the application’s design while the platform
takes care of the language and the database.
•It is flexible and portable.
•It is quite affordable.
•It manages application development phases in the cloud very efficiently.
Disadvantages of PaaS
•Data is not secure and is at big risk.
•As data is stored both in local storage and cloud, there are high chances of data mismatch
while integrating the data.
When to Use PaaS
PaaS is ideal when developers prioritize cost-effectiveness and efficiency in creating unique
applications. By unloading tasks like software updates and security patches, PaaS enables
developers to focus on the creative aspects of app development, such as designing, testing,
and deploying. Use PaaS when you want to streamline development, reduce time spent on
maintenance, and maximize focus on innovation.
Advantages of SaaS
•It is a cloud computing service category providing a wide range of hosted capabilities and
services. These can be used to build and deploy web-based software applications.
•It provides a lower cost of ownership than on-premises software. The reason is it does not
require the purchase or installation of hardware or licenses.
•It can be easily accessed through a browser along a thin client.
•No cost is required for initial setup.
•Low maintenance costs.
•Installation time is less, so time is managed properly.
Disadvantages of SaaS
•Low performance.
•It has limited customization options.
•It has security and data concerns.
When to Use PaaS
SaaS Platform are ideal when you want applications to work smoothly without needing much
effort from you. It’s great for businesses that want quick access to tools like email, project
management, or customer relationship management (CRM) software.

What is Storage as a Service (STaaS)?

STaaS stands for storage as a service. It is a cloud business model in which a company rents its storage area
infrastructure to another company or individuals to store the data. The storage provider provides the client with the
software required to access their stored data. STaaS eliminates the need for users to purchase and maintain their own
storage infrastructure. STaaS providers offer a range of storage options based on the amount of data, type of data, and
level of security required. The storage can be provided in the form of file, block, or object storage, depending on the
need. STaaS provides advanced data management features such as data encryption, backup, replication, and disaster
recovery. STaaS allows users to easily increase or decrease the amount of storage capacity they need depending on their
business needs. STaaS is cost-effective, as users only pay for the storage capacity they use. STaaS providers offer
advanced security features such as data encryption,
access control, and thread detection, which help to
protect data from unauthorized access and cyber
threats. STaaS providers also offer backup and disaster
recovery options, ensuring that data is always available
even in the event of a data loss.

Storage System in cloud

Block-based storage system: This type of storage
system organizes data into fixed-sized blocks, which
are typically accessed at a low level by the operating
system or applications
•It resembles cloud-based hard drives.
•It involves volume partitioning and formatting.
•Provides direct access to drives, volumes and partitions.
File-based storage system: Unlike block-based systems, file-based storage systems organize data into files and folders.
•Utilize Network-Attached Storage (NAS) devices.
•Facilitates file sharing over the network.
•Simplifies storage access over the network.
Objective-based storage system: This type of storage system treats data as objects rather than files or blocks.

•Utilizes HTTP protocols and REST APIs for data operations.

•Prioritizes simplicity and accessibility.
•Offers a flat structure for objects and files.
Uses of STaaS
•STaaS can be utilized by enterprises for various purposes such as data transfers, redundant storage and data recovery in
case of data corruption or loss. Here we will see some more such use cases of STaaS.
•Data Backup and Recovery: STaaS provides better solution for data backup and recovery. Various enterprises can use
it to automatically back up critical data and quickly restore it in case of data loss or corruption.
•Entertainment and Media: It is used in media and entertainment industry for storing and managing large media files,
such as video, images and autio files. It allow then for efficient distribution and management of data.
•Scalable Storage: STaaS can be used by various enterprises to scale their storage infrastructure according to their
needs. It helps in handling the fluctuating storage demands without investing in additional hardware.
•Disaster Recovery: STaaS can be used in case of any disaster recovery. It allow efficient storage for various
organizations to replicate their data to remote locations for data redundancy. Which will help them in future in case of
any disaster to recover their data.
Popular STaaS providers
Here are some popular STaaS (Storage as a Service) providers:
•Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service)
•Microsoft Azure Blob Storage
•Google Cloud Storage
•Dropbox
•OneDrive
•Box
•iCloud
Advantages of STaaS
Key advantages of STaaS are as follow:
•Accessibility from anywhere with an internet connection.
•Scalability to meet changing data storage needs.
•Cost-effectiveness with pay-as-you-go pricing.
•Data redundancy and high reliability.
•Automatic backup and recovery features.
•Easy collaboration and file sharing.
Disadvantages of STaaS
•Dependency on internet connection.
•In some cases data access may be slower as compare to on-premises storage.
•Integrating STaaS with existing IT infrastructure and applications can be complex.
•Users have limited control over the storage infrastrucutre in STaaS.

Advantages of Cloud Storage

Below are the advantages of cloud storage:

1. Cost Saving

By using cloud storage, there is no need to buy as many hard drives, enclosures to house them in, RAID cards to enable
data redundancy, electricity to power them, or hardware warranty services to safeguard them. However, it also cuts
management expenses by decreasing the need for in-depth capacity planning, streamlining monitoring, and minimizing
on-premise hardware and software management. Administrators can instead concentrate on other, more crucial
activities.

2. Data Redundancy and Replication

The majority of cloud storage providers maintain numerous copies of data, even inside of a single “Data Center”, and
they provide excellent object durability to lower the risk of data loss. Geographic replication options, however, can
spread out several copies of data across areas if you’re searching for even greater security. Others provide replication
services that swiftly transfer data between data centers, while some offer geo-replication as a storage class option. Your
backups are adequately shielded.

3. Data Tiering for Cost Savings

Various storage classes and data tiers are offered by numerous cloud storage providers. Choose based on how regularly
and rapidly one restores backups, as well as how long one wants to retain the backups. Consider using the vendor’s hot
storage for backups that require quick and/or frequent restores because it offers the fastest and most economical
retrieval. Consider shifting data to archive storage for long-term archiving, Although data retrieval may be more time-
consuming and expensive, storage expenses are far lower, especially if one intends to preserve backups for many years.
The ability to automatically shift data between tiers is a feature that some vendors offer. This minimizes administration
and makes it easier to obtain cost savings.

4. Regulatory Compliance
For regulatory compliance, keeping backups in the same area as the data’s origin may be the best option. Worldwide
alternatives for data centers are provided by many cloud suppliers. Look for a cloud storage provider that can
accommodate if one needs to store EU client data in an EU data center. Moving data to cloud storage within the same
region is also advantageous for performance. Even if you are not subject to regulation, the enhanced performance might
be valuable to you.

5. Ransomware/Malware Protection

Ransomware is plain nasty. Unfortunately, it frequently makes the news. The malware will search the network for
shares that contain files and documents to encrypt in addition to the locally infected computer, which is one of the more
frightening characteristics of ransomware. You might be relieved to learn that your cloud storage can assist prevent
ransomware by providing some backup security advantages because it’s more difficult to access without proper
authentication if you’re hit by ransomware or another type of malware that is encrypting or destroying files.

6. Usability or Accessibility

The key advantages of cloud storage are accessibility and usability. You can rapidly upload your file to your online
drive even if you lack technical ability because they both have simple user interfaces. Most cloud data storage providers
include drag-and-drop functionality and an intuitive user interface. For instance, if you saved a file to a disc on a mobile
device, you can access that file on a computer or any other device with internet access. It doesn’t matter where you are
right now. Your files, which are kept online in one of the data centers, can be accessed if you have a strong internet
connection.

7. Flexibility

In general, using the cloud gives businesses more flexibility than hosting on a local server. Additionally, a cloud-based
solution could be able to quickly meet your need for more bandwidth without necessitating a difficult (and expensive)
update to your IT infrastructure. This improved independence and flexibility may considerably raise the overall
effectiveness of your firm. You won’t be able to focus on achieving your company’s goals and satisfying consumers if
your present IT solutions need you to devote too much of your time to computer and data-storage concerns. However, if
you rely on a third party to manage the IT hosting and infrastructure, you’ll free up more time for the areas of your
organization that directly impact your bottom line.
8. Automation
A cloud storage service may be used by multiple users, and as everything is handled and automated by the cloud
provider vendor, one user’s current task would not influence that of another. When you want to store a file in the cloud,
cloud storage services function like a hard drive on your computer and won’t interfere with any ongoing tasks.

9. Scalable

You can upgrade the service plan if the storage included in the current plan is insufficient. Additionally, the additional
space will be provided to your data storage environment with some new capabilities, so you won’t need to migrate any
data from one place to another. Scalable and adaptable cloud storage is offered.

10. Reliability
Many people create a cloud backup of their hard disc in case their hard drive fails. The comfort that comes from
knowing that data won’t suddenly vanish one day may be well worth the small price.

Disadvantages of Cloud Storage

Below are the disadvantages of cloud storage:

1. Vulnerability
The majority of PCs and servers that save data require an internet connection. Cloud solutions are internet-based by
nature, which means that they are linked to other computers and servers. Thus, making them vulnerable to attacks by
malicious users on the network.

2. Internet Dependency
The internet starts to be reliant on your storage. Due to the fact that the internet will govern our world in 2022, this
disadvantage will diminish. One can always save files while offline and access them later. However, an internet
connection will be required for the update and sync.

3. Issues in Security and Privacy

Uncertainties about privacy and security on the cloud are the next significant point to be made in relation to the
drawbacks of cloud storage. Confidential data must be given over to a third-party organization in order to be stored in
the cloud. One must therefore have complete faith in the cloud vendor.

4. Limitations on Control

After the user moves data to the cloud, the vendor is now in charge of it. This implies that users must rely on the
vendors to maintain their services in a safe, stable, up-and-running, and fully functional manner. This limits the
influence on data safety Nearly all reliability is left up to the storage vendor, along with accessibility.

5. Cost

Although cloud storage options are normally a cost-effective choice, they could not be available if utilized for short-
term or very small-scale projects, depending on the cloud vendor. Users can be on the hook for 18 more months than
needed, which is not financially feasible if the demand for data storage is for 6 months but the vendor’s minimum offer
is 2 years.

6. Migration

The ability to switch to another cloud service has grown much less well than other aspects of cloud storage. As a result,
many clients continue to find this scenario to be quite difficult. Although several of these options are currently
unavailable, one may choose to migrate data to another solution if one discovers that the cloud provider does not
adequately address all of the users’ needs. If there are such options, they might be pricey. As a result, additional
 expenses are now necessary, most often in the form of signing a deal with a second cloud-storage vendor while being
bound by the terms of the first.

7. Regulatory Compliances
Only cloud storage options with the highest levels of security protection may be trusted by financial organizations.
When penalties, fines, and lawsuits are imposed because authorities think it necessary for specific criteria for data
protection, the company will be the target, not the cloud provider.

8. Minimal Support
Even when using a simple, rapid, and secure cloud solution, problems can occur because every user and business has
different wants and specifics. The absence of support for cloud storage is one of the main difficulties there.

9. Features
Each cloud service provider is unique from the others. Users may occasionally only be able to use the basic kinds of
cloud storage that cloud providers provide. As a result, one cannot modify certain features or take advantage of all of
their benefits.

10. Data Management

Given that cloud storage systems have their own organizational systems, managing data may be a pain. The system used
by a cloud vendor might not work with the way one manages their storage currently.

Cloud Storage Providers

1. Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Launched in 2006, AWS is the best cloud service provider leading in the market. It becomes a major player in AI,
database, machine learning, 5G cloud, multi-cloud and serverless deployments. AWS operates in 20 geographical
regions across the world. The company reported a revenue of 9 billion dollars in Q3 2019.
•AWS offers 175 fully-featured services to meet any kind of business requirements. These services are database
storage, computing power, networking and many more
•You can virtually host any applications, including networks like firewall, DNS, Load balancing, or even you can have
your virtual private cloud.
•AWS applications are scalable, flexible, reliable, secure and trustworthy.
•Easy sign-up and fast deployment. The best thing is there is no upfront cost and you pay for what you use. It also offers
a FREE tier for some of their popular services.

Top Companies using Amazon Web Services (AWS)

• Netflix
• Spotify
• Airbnb
• Uber
• Peloton
• Expedia
• Pinterest
• Samsung
• Sony
• Novartis
2. Microsoft Azure
Microsoft Azure was launched in 2010 as Windows Azure, and later in 2014, it was renamed, Microsoft Azure. It was
launched years after the release of AWS and Google cloud but still, it is the fastest-growing cloud and giving tough
 competition to AWS and other cloud service providers. There is a five-year partnership between Microsoft and Disney.
In this partnership, the new method will be developed to move production content to the cloud. Azure has 54 data
centers regions across the world available in 140 countries.

•Azure offers hundreds of services including AI + Machine Learning, Analytics, Blockchain, Compute, Containers,
Databases, Developer Tools, DevOps, Identity, Integration, Internet of Things, Management, Media, Microsoft Azure
Stack, Migration, Mixed Reality, Mobile, Networking, Security, Storage, Web, and Windows Virtual Desktop.
•Microsoft Azure is available with public or private cloud service or hybrid cloud service consists of both private and
public.
•Scalability, consistency, security, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
•Azure supports various operating systems, databases, tools, programming languages and frameworks.
•It’s easier for users to move their application or framework without any hassle and recoding them again.
•24/7 cooperative team paying attention to their customers. A free trial version of Microsoft Azure is available for 30
days.
Top Companies using Microsoft Azure
• Walmart
• Macy’s
• The Home Depot
• Starbucks
• Coca-Cola
• Bank of America
• JPMorgan Chase
• Citigroup
• Fidelity Investments
• Standard Chartered
3. Kamatera
Kamatera, established over two decades ago, has evolved into one of the most reliable and flexible cloud infrastructure
platforms in the industry. With a strong focus on scalability, Kamatera allows businesses to configure their cloud
environments based on real-time needs, making it a top choice for startups and large enterprises alike. Unlike many
other providers, Kamatera’s pricing is incredibly cost effective, allowing users to pay only for the resources they use,
with no hidden fees. The platform supports a wide array of operating systems and software, giving users complete
freedom to build and deploy custom cloud solutions. In 2024, Kamatera is renowned for its global data centers that
ensure minimal latency and high availability across the world.
•Allows users to adjust server configurations, CPU, RAM, and storage in real-time.
•Provides 18+ data center locations worldwide for low latency and high availability.
•Highly reliable with 99.95% up-time guaranteed.
•Allows you to only pay for the resources you use, with no upfront investment or hidden fees.
•Lets you scale your cloud resources to match changing business needs.
•24/7 Technical Support is offered. A dedicated team available round-the-clock for troubleshooting and assistance.
•Kamatera operates in 24 cities across 4 continents and has recently expanded to Singapore, Tokyo, and Sydney.
•Supports multiple operating systems, databases, and applications for seamless cloud deployment.
•Kamatera offers a 30-day free trial of up to $100.
Top Companies using Kamatera
• Xero
• Redfin
• CivicFlus
• CoSchedule
• MarketMuse
• AirCail
• Veeqo
• Foirt of Rertal
• Raken
4. Alibaba Cloud
Alibaba Cloud, also known as Aliyun, is the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, one of the world’s largest e-
commerce and technology conglomerates based in China. It offers a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services
to support businesses worldwide, including:
Market Presence:
•Currently holding the third largest global market share in cloud computing, following Amazon Web Services (AWS)
and Microsoft Azure.
•Dominates the Asian market, particularly in China.
Service Portfolio:
•Offers a diverse and comprehensive suite of cloud solutions, including:
Compute: Elastic Compute Service (ECS) for virtual machines, Serverless Computing, Container Services.
Storage: Object Storage Service (OSS), File Storage Service (NAS), Block Storage Service (ESSD).
Networking: Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), Elastic Network Interface (ENI), Global Accelerator.
Databases: Alibaba Cloud Database Service (RDS), NoSQL databases, Graph Database.
AI & ML: AI Platform, pre-trained models, Big Data Analytics.
Security & Identity: Security Center, Anti-DDoS, Key Management Service.
Developer Tools: API Gateway, Serverless Application Model (SAM), CodePipeline.
Industry-Specific Solutions: Tailored solutions for retail, manufacturing, finance, and more.
•While offering various AI & ML tools, its strength lies in e-commerce and financial services solutions, leveraging
expertise from its parent company, Alibaba Group.
•Actively develops industry-specific cloud solutions for various sectors.
•Known for aggressive pricing, often competing with lower costs compared to rivals.
Top Companies using Alibaba Cloud
• ABS-CBN
• PrestoMall (formerly 11street Malaysia)
• Hang Seng Bank
• Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group
5. Oracle Cloud
Oracle Cloud is an ERP(Enterprise Resource Planning) based cloud service that helps you to build, deploy, and
manage workloads in the cloud or on-premises. Oracle has approximately 4, 30, 000 huge numbers of clients around the
world. The total revenue generated by Oracle was around 6.81 billion dollars in 2019.
•Oracle IaaS offerings are Compute, Storage, Networking, Governance, Database, Load Balancing, DNS Monitoring,
Ravello, and FastConnect.IaaS help to run any kind of workload of an Enterprise.
 •Oracle PaaS offerings are Data Management, Application Development, Integration, Business Analytics, Security,
Management, and Content and Enterprise. PaaS helps developers to develop, connect, secure and share data across the
applications.
•Oracle SaaS offerings are CX, HCM, ERP, SCM, EPM, IoT, Analytics, Data, and Blockchain Applications. SaaS
provides a complete data-driven and secure cloud environment.
•The best thing about this cloud services provider is its chatbot option which can help customers 24/7 whenever they
face difficulties.
•Data analytics by users that help decision-makers in planning for the company’s financial condition.
•Secure and better visibility to unsanctioned apps and protects against sophisticated cyberattacks.
•Payment according to the usage.
Top Companies using Oracle Cloud
• Labcorp
• Diebold Nixdorf
• CVS Health
• Universal Studios
• Zurich
• UnitedHealth Group
• Hitachi
• Ahold Delhaize
• Bank of America
6. IBM Cloud (Kyndryl)
Developed by IBM, this cloud service offers another set of solutions to the users to deploy their applications on the
cloud. It offers IaaS, SaaS, and PaaS services via public, private, hybrid and multi-cloud models. IBM generated 5.3
billion dollars of revenues according to Q3 2019 which is 6.4 percent higher than the previous quarter. IBM cloud
offers approximately 170 products and services to meet the customer’s business demands. IBM’s best bets come in the
form of the Internet of Things, Cognitive Computing and Blockchain. Recently IBM has Red Hat, for the delivery
of hybrid solutions efficiently. The cloud service is helping home appliance manufacturers, retailers, and medical supply
businesses.
•Computer Network, Storage, Cloud Packs, Management, Security, Database, Analytics, AI, IoT, Mobile, Dev Tools,
Blockchain, Integration, Migration, Private Cloud, and VMware are some services offered by IBM cloud.
•Freedom to select and unite the desired tools, data models and delivery models in designing/creating the next-
generation services or applications.
•Users can manage their applications in many coding languages such as Java, Python, Swift, Php, etc.
•IBM AI helps with its multifunctional ability such as text to speech, detecting language, machine learning,
classification of natural language, etc.
•Costs depends on the usage but free in its lite mode with free access to more than 40 services by IBM Cloud.
•You can incorporate highly performing cloud communications and services into your IT environment with the help
of IBM Bluemix Cloud platform.
Top Companies using IBM Cloud (Kyndryl)
• City Furniture, Inc.
• Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem)
• Carrefour Belgium
• Canadian Malartic
• Bord Gáis Energy
• Blue NAP Americas
• Bank of Ayudhya Public Company Ltd (Krungsri)
• Arizona Department of Transportation
7. Tencent Cloud
DigitalOcean is a well-known cloud hosting provider that currently holds the fourth largest global market share in
cloud computing, following Alibaba Cloud, AWS, and Microsoft Azure. It Has a strong presence in China and
Southeast Asia, with growing international reach.
Service Portfolio:
•Offers a comprehensive range of cloud solutions, including:
Compute: Cloud Virtual Machines (CVM) for traditional VMs, Serverless Functions (SCF) for
serverless computing, and Container Orchestration (TKE) for managing containerized applications.
Storage: Cloud Object Storage (COS) for highly scalable object storage, Cloud Block Storage (CBS) for
high-performance block storage, and Cloud File Storage (CFS) for network-attached storage.
Networking: Cloud Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) for creating isolated virtual networks, Cloud Private
Line (CPL) for dedicated connections, and Global Transit Gateway (GTW) for managing complex network
environments.
Databases: Cloud Database Service (TDSQL) for managed databases, various managed NoSQL
databases, and Data Aggregation Storage (DAS) for big data analytics.
AI & ML: Tencent AI Platform provides tools for building, training, and deploying AI models, and offers
pre-trained models for various tasks.
Security & Identity: Cloud Security (Tencent Cloud Security) offers various security
solutions, including Anti-DDoS protection, Web Application Firewall (WAF), and Key Management
Service (KMS).
Developer Tools: API Gateway for managing APIs, Serverless Application Model (SAM) for developing
serverless applications, and Cloud Code for integrated development and deployment.
Industry-Specific Solutions: Tailored solutions for gaming, media, healthcare, finance, and more.
•Known for its expertise in gaming and media industry solutions, leveraging the experience of its parent
company, Tencent.
•Has a strong focus on AI and machine learning, offering a diverse range of AI tools and pre-trained models.
•Offers competitive pricing with various flexible payment options, including pay-as-you-go and reserved instances.
Top Companies using Tencent Cloud
• ChangYou
• SINA Corporation
• OS – Learning Fun
• Q-See
• NBA Media Ventures, LLC
8. OVHcloud
DigitalOcean is a well-known cloud hosting provider that currently holds the sixth largest global market share in
cloud computing, following Alibaba Cloud, AWS, Microsoft Azure, Tencent Cloud, and Google Cloud Platform.
Known as a strong player in Europe, particularly in France, and is expanding its global presence.
Service Portfolio:
•Offers a diverse range of cloud solutions, including:
 Compute: Dedicated servers (bare metal), Public Cloud with various VM options, Web Hosting
solutions, and Private Cloud for on-premises infrastructure.
Storage: Dedicated storage solutions, Public Cloud Object Storage, Backup solutions, and High Availability
storage.
Networking: Dedicated network solutions, Public Cloud Virtual Private Cloud (vRack), and managed
network services.
Databases: Managed database solutions for various engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.
AI & ML: AI Marketplace with pre-trained models and solutions, and access to various AI and ML
frameworks.
Security & Identity: Security solutions for various needs, including anti-DDoS protection, web application
firewall, and vulnerability management.
Developer Tools: Various DevOps tools, API Gateway, and code repositories.
Industry-Specific Solutions: Tailored solutions for healthcare, media, e-commerce, and more.
•Known for its expertise in bare metal server solutions, offering high performance and customization.
•Has a strong commitment to data privacy and security, compliant with various European regulations.
•Places emphasis on open-source technologies and partnerships.
•Offers transparent and competitive pricing with various flexible options, including pay-as-you-go and commitment
plans.
Top Companies using OVHcloud
• Emisora Escuela M21 Radio
• H&R Block, Inc
• Collège Boréal
• VMware Inc
• VMware Tanzu Observability
9. DigitalOcean
DigitalOcean is a well-known cloud hosting provider that primarily caters to startups, small and medium-sized
businesses (SMBs), and individual developers, holding a smaller market share compared to larger cloud providers.
Known for its strong presence in developer communities.
Service Portfolio:
•Offers a focused set of essential cloud solutions, including:
Compute: Droplets (virtual machines) with various configurations and operating systems.
Storage: Block storage options for data persistence.
Networking: Private networking capabilities and additional networking add-ons.
Databases: Managed databases for popular engines like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MariaDB.
Containerization: Managed Kubernetes platform for deploying containerized applications.
App Platform: Serverless platform for deploying web applications without managing infrastructure.
Marketplace: Additional tools and services from third-party partners.
•Prioritizes simplicity and developer experience, offering a user-friendly interface and APIs.
•Provides transparent and predictable pricing, making it cost-effective for smaller projects.
•Offers extensive documentation and community support, catering to developers’ needs.
•Operates on a pay-as-you-go model with clear pricing tiers based on resource usage.
 •Offers free tier for experimentation and learning.
Top Companies using DigitalOcean
• Shopify
• GitHub
• Airbnb
10. Linode (owned by Akamai)
Linode, which is now part of Akamai, is a cloud platform primarily caters to developers, startups, and
SMBs, holding a smaller market share compared to major cloud providers.Known for its strong developer community
and focus on simplicity.
Service Portfolio:
1.Offers a focused set of cloud hosting solutions, including:
•Nanode and Linode: Virtual machines (VMs) with various configurations and operating systems.
•LKE: Managed Kubernetes platform for deploying containerized applications.
•Managed Databases: Managed options for popular databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB.
•Block Storage: Additional storage options for data persistence.
•Marketplace: Additional tools and services from third-party partners.
2.Similar to DigitalOcean, Linode prioritizes simplicity and developer experience, offering a user-friendly interface
and APIs.

3.Provides transparent and predictable pricing, making it cost-effective for smaller projects.
4.Offers extensive documentation and community support, catering to developers’ needs.
5.Integrates with Akamai’s content delivery network (CDN) and security services after the acquisition, potentially
offering enhanced performance and protection.

6.Operates on a pay-as-you-go model with clear pricing tiers based on resource usage.
7.Offers free tier for experimentation and learning.
Top Companies using Linode (owned by Akamai)
• Heroku
• GitLab
• Authy
• Postmates

What is Amazon S3?

Amazon S3 is a Simple Storage Service in AWS that stores files of different types like Photos, Audio, and Videos as
Objects providing more scalability and security to. It allows the users to store and retrieve any amount of data at any
point in time from anywhere on the web. It facilitates features such as extremely high availability, security, and simple
connection to other AWS Services.
What is Amazon S3 Used for?
Amazon S3 is used for various purposes in the Cloud because of its robust features with scaling and Securing of data. It
helps people with all kinds of use cases from fields such as Mobile/Web applications, Big data, Machine Learning and
many more. The following are a few Wide Usage of Amazon S3 service.
•Data Storage: Amazon s3 acts as the best option for scaling both small and large storage applications. It helps in
storing and retrieving the data-intensitive applications as per needs in ideal time.
•Backup and Recovery: Many Organizations are using Amazon S3 to backup their critical data and maintain the data
durability and availability for recovery needs.
•Hosting Static Websites: Amazon S3 facilitates in storing HTML, CSS and other web content from Users/developers
allowing them for hosting Static Websites benefiting with low-latency access and cost-effectiveness. To know more
detailing refer this Article – How to host static websites using Amazon S3
•Data Archiving: Amazon S3 Glacier service integration helps as a cost-effective solution for long-term data storing
which are less frequently accessed applications.
•Big Data Analytics: Amazon S3 is often considered as data lake because of its capacity to store large amounts of both
structured and unstructured data offering seamless integration with other AWS Analytics and AWS Machine Learning
Services.
What is an Amazon S3 bucket?
Amazon S3 bucket is a fundamental Storage Container feature in AWS S3 Service. It provides a secure and scalable
repository for storing of Objects such as Text data, Images, Audio and Video files over AWS Cloud. Each S3 bucket
name should be named globally unique and should be configured with ACL (Access Control List).

How Does Amazon S3 works?

Amazon S3 works on organizing the data into unique S3 Buckets, customizing the buckets with Acccess controls. It
allows the users to store objects inside the S3 buckets with facilitating features like versioning and lifecycle
management of data storage with scaling. The following are a few main features of Amazon s3:
1. Amazon S3 Buckets and Objects
Amazon S3 Bucket: Data, in S3, is stored in containers called buckets. Each bucket will have its own set of policies
and configurations. This enables users to have more control over their data. Bucket Names must be unique. Can be
thought of as a parent folder of data. There is a limit of 100 buckets per AWS account. But it can be increased if
requested by AWS support.
Amazon S3 Objects: Fundamental entity type stored in AWS S3.You can store as many objects as you want to store.
The maximum size of an AWS S3 bucket is 5TB. It consists of the following:
•Key
•Version ID
•Value
•Metadata
•Subresources
•Access control information
•Tags
2. Amazon S3 Versioning and Access Control
S3 Versioning: Versioning means always keeping a record of previously uploaded files in S3. Points to Versioning are
not enabled by default. Once enabled, it is enabled for all objects in a bucket. Versioning keeps all the copies of your
file, so, it adds cost for storing multiple copies of your data. For example, 10 copies of a file of size 1GB will have you
charged for using 10GBs for S3 space. Versioning is helpful to prevent unintended overwrites and deletions. Objects
with the same key can be stored in a bucket if versioning is enabled (since they have a unique version ID). To know
more about versioning refer this article – Amazon S3 Versioning
Access control lists (ACLs): A document for verifying access to S3 buckets from outside your AWS account.
An ACL is specific to each bucket. You can utilize S3 Object Ownership, an Amazon S3 bucket-level feature, to
manage who owns the objects you upload to your bucket and to enable or disable ACLs.
3. Bucket policies and Life Cycles
Bucket Policies: A document for verifying the access to S3 buckets from within your AWS account, controls which
services and users have what kind of access to your S3 bucket. Each bucket has its own Bucket Policies.
Lifecycle Rules: This is a cost-saving practice that can move your files to AWS Glacier (The AWS Data Archive
Service) or to some other S3 storage class for cheaper storage of old data or completely delete the data after the
specified time. To know more about refer this article – Amazon S3 Life Cycle Management
4. Keys and Null Objects
Keys: The key, in S3, is a unique identifier for an object in a bucket. For example in a bucket ‘ABC’ your GFG.java file
is stored at javaPrograms/GFG.java then ‘javaPrograms/GFG.java’ is your object key for GFG.java.
Null Object: Version ID for objects in a bucket where versioning is suspended is null. Such objects may be referred to
as null objects.List) and Other settings for managing data efficiently.
How To Use an Amazon S3 Bucket?
You can use the Amazon S3 buckets by following the simple steps which are mentioned below. To know more how to
configure about Amazon S3 refer to the Amazon S3 – Creating a S3 Bucket.
Step 1: Login into the Amazon account with your credentials and search form S3 and click on the S3. Now click on the
option which is “Create bucket” and configure all the options which are shown while configuring.
Step 2: After configuring the AWS bucket now upload the objects into the buckets based upon your requirement. By
using the AWS console or by using AWS CLI following is the command to upload the object into the AWS S3 bucket.
aws s3 cp <local-file-path> s3://<bucket-name>/
Step 3: You can control the permissions of the objects which was uploaded into the S3 buckets and also who can access
the bucket. You can make the bucket public or private by default the S3 buckets will be in private mode.
Step 4: You can manage the S3 bucket lifecycle management by transitioning. Based upon the rules that you defined
S3 bucket will be transitioning into different storage classes based on the age of the object which is uploaded into the S3
bucket.
Step 5: You need to turn to enable the services to monitor and analyze S3. You need to enable the S3 access logging to
record who was requesting the objects which are in the S3 buckets.
What are the types of S3 Storage Classes?
AWS S3 provides multiple storage types that offer different performance and features and different cost structures.
•Standard: Suitable for frequently accessed data, that needs to be highly available and durable.
•Standard Infrequent Access (Standard IA): This is a cheaper data-storage class and as the name suggests, this class
is best suited for storing infrequently accessed data like log files or data archives. Note that there may be a per GB data
retrieval fee associated with the Standard IA class.
•Intelligent Tiering: This service class classifies your files automatically into frequently accessed and infrequently
accessed and stores the infrequently accessed data in infrequent access storage to save costs. This is useful for
unpredictable data access to an S3 bucket.
•One Zone Infrequent Access (One Zone IA): All the files on your S3 have their copies stored in a minimum of 3
Availability Zones. One Zone IA stores this data in a single availability zone. It is only recommended to use this storage
class for infrequently accessed, non-essential data. There may be a per GB cost for data retrieval.
•Reduced Redundancy Storage (RRS): All the other S3 classes ensure the durability of 99.999999999%. RRS only
ensures 99.99% durability. AWS no longer recommends RRS due to its less durability. However, it can be used to store
non-essential data.
To know more about , refer this article – Amazon S3 Storage Classes
How to Upload and Manage Files on Amazon S3?
Firstly you have to Amazon s3 bucket for uploading and managing the files on Amazon S3. Try to create the S3 Bucket
as discussed above. Once the S3 Bucket is created, you can upload the files through various ways such as AWS
SDKs, AWS CLI, and Amazon S3 Management Console. Try managing the files by organizing them into folders within
the S3 Bucket and applying access controls to secure the access. Features like Versioning and Lifecycle policies provide
the management of data efficiently with optimization of storage classes.
To know more detailing refer this article – How to Store and Download Obejcts in Amazon S3?
How to Access Amazon S3 Bucket?
You can work and access the Amazon S3 bucket by using any one of the following methods
1.AWS Management Console
2.AWS CLI Commands
3.Programming Scripts ( Using boto3 library of Python )
1. AWS Management Console
You can access the AWS S3 bucket using the AWS management console which is a web-based user interface. Firstly
you need to create an AWS account and login to the Web console and from there you can choose the S3 bucket option
from Amazon S3 service. ( AWS Console >> Amazon S3 >> S3 Buckets )
2. AWS CLI Commands
In this methods firstly you have to install the aws cli software in the terminal and try on configuring the aws account
with access key, secret key and the default region. Then on taking the `aws –help` , you can figure out the s3 service
usage. For example , To view try on running following command:
aws s3 ls
3. Programming scripts
You can configure the Amazon S3 bucket by using a scripting programing languages like Python and with using
libraries such as boto3 library you can perform the AWS S3 tasks. To know more about refer this article – How to
access Amazon S3 using python script.
AWS S3 Bucket Permissions
You can manage the permission of S3 buckets by using several methods following are a few of them.
1.Bucket Policies: Bucket policies can be attached directly to the S3 bucket and they are in JSON format which can
perform the bucket level operations. With the help of bucket policies, you can grant permissions to the users who can
access the objects present in the bucket. If you grant permissions to any user he can download, and upload the objects to
the bucket. You can create the bucket policy by using Python.

2.Access Control Lists (ACLs): ACLs are legacy access control mechanisms for S3 buckets instead of ACLs we are
using the bucket policies to control the permissions of the S3 bucket. By using ACL you can grant the read, and access
to the S3 bucket or you can make the objects public based on the requirements.

3.IAM Policies: IAM policies are mostly used to manage the permissions to the users and groups and resources
available in the AWS by using the IAM roles options. You can attach an IAM policy to an IAM entity (user, group, or
role) granting them access to specific S3 buckets and operations.
The most effective way to control the permissions to the S3 buckets is by using bucket policies.
Features of Amazon S3
•Durability: AWS claims Amazon S3 to have a 99.999999999% of durability (11 9’s). This means the possibility of
losing your data stored on S3 is one in a billion.
•Availability: AWS ensures that the up-time of AWS S3 is 99.99% for standard access.
Note that availability is related to being able to access data and durability is related to losing data altogether.
•Server-Side-Encryption (SSE): AWS S3 supports three types of SSE models:
SSE-S3: AWS S3 manages encryption keys.
SSE-C: The customer manages encryption keys.
 SSE-KMS: The AWS Key Management Service (KMS) manages the encryption keys.
•File Size support: AWS S3 can hold files of size ranging from 0 bytes to 5 terabytes. A 5TB limit on file size should
not be a blocker for most of the applications in the world.
•Infinite storage space: Theoretically AWS S3 is supposed to have infinite storage space. This makes S3 infinitely
scalable for all kinds of use cases.
•Pay as you use: The users are charged according to the S3 storage they hold.
Advantages of Amazon S3
1.Scalability: Amazon S3 can be scalable horizontally which makes it handle a large amount of data. It can be scaled
automatically without human intervention.

2.High availability: AmazonS3 bucket is famous for its high availability nature you can access the data whenever you
required it from any region. It offers a Service Level Agreement (SLA) guaranteeing 99.9% uptime.
3.Data Lifecycle Management: You can manage the data which is stored in the S3 bucket by automating the transition
and expiration of objects based on predefined rules. You can automatically move the data to the Standard-IA or Glacier,
after a specified period.

4.Integration with Other AWS Services: You can integrate the S3 bucket service with different services in the AWS
like you can integrate with the AWS lambda function where the lambda will be triggered based upon the files or objects
added to the S3 bucket.