Types of Distributed Storage Systems

There are mainly three types of distributed systems:

1. Block repository

A particular kind of distributed storage system called a block repository keeps track of data in fixed-sized blocks, usually between a few kilobytes and several megabytes. Within the repository, every block is handled as a separate entity and is kept separately. Block repositories offer low-level storage capabilities and are frequently utilized in cloud computing platforms and virtualized infrastructures, among other situations, where direct access to raw storage blocks is necessary.

• Data is arranged into blocks in a block repository, and each block is uniquely recognized by an address or identity. In the distributed system, these blocks are divided among several nodes or servers, offering fault tolerance and redundancy.
• Block repositories are a great option for high-performance storage for applications like databases and other ones that need efficient random access to data.

Examples of Block repository systems include Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS), OpenStack Cinder, and Ceph Block Device (RBD).

2. File repository

A distributed file system, sometimes referred to as a file repository, is a kind of distributed storage system used to arrange and control files among several nodes or servers. File repositories are useful for a variety of applications, such as content delivery, data analytics, and collaborative work environments, since they offer a consistent and hierarchical namespace for storing and accessing files.

• Files in a file repository are arranged similarly to traditional file systems, with files grouped into directories and subdirectories. Within the repository, every file is uniquely recognized by a path, making navigation and retrieval simple.
• File repositories allow users to safely collaborate on shared files by providing capabilities like metadata management, access control, and file locking.

Examples of file repository systems include the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS), Google File System (GFS), and Lustre

3. Object repository

A particular kind of distributed storage system called an object repository is intended for managing and storing objects, which are made up of data, metadata, and a unique identifier. Typically, objects are unstructured data units like blobs, documents, movies, and photos. Object repositories offer an extremely versatile and scalable storage option, which makes them appropriate for a variety of uses, such as data archiving, content delivery, and cloud storage.

• Using their distinct identifiers, items are individually stored and accessible within an object repository. Metadata related to an object can include details about its owner, creation date, and content type, among other information.
• Versioning, replication, and lifecycle management are just a few of the services that object repositories provide to help users manage objects effectively.

Examples of object repository systems include Amazon Simple Storage Service (S3), OpenStack Swift, and Ceph Object Gateway (RADOS Gateway).

In today’s world where everything revolves around data, we need storage solutions that are fast and reliable and able to handle huge amounts of information. The old way of storing data in one place is no longer enough because there’s just too much data created by all the apps and services we use daily. That’s where distributed storage systems come in. They spread out the data across many different places, making it easier to manage and keeping it safe even if something goes wrong with one part of the system.