Block storage is a type of data storage commonly used in cloud and enterprise environments. It provides low latency and high performance by organizing data into fixed-size blocks that applications can access directly. Each block functions as an independent hard drive and is managed individually, making it flexible for scaling and suitable for diverse workloads.

Key Features of Block Storage

Structure and Access:

• Data is divided into fixed-size blocks (e.g., 512 bytes, 1 MB).
• Blocks are identified by unique addresses, enabling fast and direct access.
• Access to block storage is typically through protocols such as iSCSI, Fibre Channel, or NVMe, which offer high-speed, direct data transmission.

Performance:

• Block storage ensures high performance with low latency, making it ideal for databases and transactional applications.
• It is often used in environments requiring fast read and write operations, such as database management systems (DBMS) or virtual machines (VMs).

Scalability and Flexibility:

• Users can resize, format, and manage block volumes independently, allowing for scalable storage solutions.
• Block volumes can be attached to multiple servers in a clustered environment, improving performance and reliability.

Reliability:

• Many cloud providers offer features such as automatic replication and snapshots for block storage, ensuring data durability and recovery options.
• Block storage can often be backed up without interrupting operations, providing reliable disaster recovery options.

Primary Use Cases:

• Databases: Ideal for relational and NoSQL databases due to low latency and high throughput.
• Virtual Machines: Enhances performance for VMs by handling multiple instances efficiently.
• File Systems: Suitable for high-performance file systems like NTFS or ext4 that manage large files and require direct storage access.

Examples of Cloud Block Storage:

• Amazon EBS (Elastic Block Store): Scalable, persistent block storage for Amazon EC2 instances.
• Google Cloud Persistent Disks: High-performance block storage for the Google Cloud Platform.
• Azure Managed Disks: Durable block storage for Azure virtual machines.