Map Of Content
Concept
File storage organizes data into a hierarchical structure of files and folders (directories). This is the most traditional and familiar storage method, similar to how you organize files on your personal computer.
Structure
Data is stored as individual files, which are grouped into folders, and these folders are further organized under a directory tree. To access a file, the system needs to know the specific path (e.g., /home/user/documents/report.docx).
Metadata
Limited metadata (like filename, file type, timestamps, and permissions) is associated with each file and is typically stored within the file system.
Access
Data is accessed through file paths and standard file system protocols like NFS (Network File System) for Linux/Unix and SMB/CIFS (Server Message Block/Common Internet File System) for Windows.
Scalability
Scaling file storage can be challenging. As the amount of data grows, managing the hierarchical structure and maintaining performance can become complex. Scaling often involves adding more storage systems (scale-out).
Performance
Performance can be affected by the depth and complexity of the directory structure. Navigating deep hierarchies to find files can introduce latency.
Use Cases
- General-purpose file sharing among users.
- Storing documents, images, videos, and other user-generated content.
- Network-attached storage (NAS) devices.
- Backup and archival.
- Applications that require a traditional file system interface.