What is block storage?

Block storage powers some of the most demanding business applications in modern enterprises. From high-performance databases to mission-critical virtual environments, organizations rely on this technology for their essential operations. 

While many storage options exist today, block storage is known for its reliability, speed, and versatility in handling enterprise workloads. This guide examines block storage’s core concepts, operational principles, and real-world applications. 

Whether you’re managing databases, running virtual machines, or building enterprise-level storage solutions, understanding block storage is essential for making informed infrastructure decisions.

What is block storage? 

Block storage is a data storage method that divides data into fixed-size blocks, each with its own address. Unlike other storage types, block level storage manages data at the raw block level, treating each block as an individual hard drive that can be formatted and controlled independently. These blocks function as the fundamental building blocks of storage, allowing operating systems to efficiently organize, retrieve, and modify data.

At its core, block storage provides direct, low-latency access to storage volumes. When an application needs to read or write data, it communicates directly with the storage blocks, bypassing additional layers of abstraction. This direct access makes block storage particularly effective for applications requiring consistent performance and reliable data access.

How block storage works

Block storage systems operate by dividing data into uniformly sized blocks, each assigned a unique address identifier. When data needs to be stored, the system breaks it down into these standardized blocks, which can be distributed across multiple storage devices. Each block operates independently, allowing for efficient data management and retrieval.

The data organization in block storage follows a sophisticated structure: 

• Storage volumes are provisioned and presented to servers as logical unit numbers (LUNs).
• The storage system maintains a detailed address map of all blocks.
• Blocks can be stored non-sequentially and reassembled when needed.
• Each block can be accessed independently without affecting other blocks.
• The storage system handles block-level redundancy and data protection.

When modifications are needed, the system updates only the specific blocks containing changed data rather than rewriting entire files. This block-level approach to updates makes the system highly efficient for structured data and applications that require frequent, small changes.

However, it’s important to note that block storage may not be optimal for all use cases. While excellent for structured data and sequential operations, it may face challenges with:

• Heavy random read/write input and output (I/O) operations.
• High-intensity database workloads.
• Active data storage with extreme I/O demands, such as high-traffic websites.

For these high-demand scenarios, alternative storage solutions might be more appropriate unless specific performance requirements and configurations are met.

Key features and benefits of block storage

Performance and scalability 

Block storage functions as a server add-on, processing file updates in individual blocks to enhance disk I/O performance. This design enables frequent data access, manipulation, and editing with minimal latency. 

Through providers like Liquid Web, the centralized block storage cluster can be scaled up or down with a simple click in the account interface. To maintain optimal performance, individual volumes typically have a maximum capacity – for example, Liquid Web sets a 15 TB limit per volume, encouraging users to distribute data across multiple volumes rather than creating one massive storage unit.

Flexibility and agility 

An advantage of block storage is its ability to move volumes between servers, though this capability may vary by provider. For instance, Liquid Web enables volume transfers between VPS and cloud dedicated servers, offering flexibility for specific business needs. This feature proves particularly valuable when organizations need to reorganize their infrastructure or adjust resource allocation.

Expanded storage and backup solutions 

Block storage is ideal for expanding storage capacity beyond server limitations, providing growth options as data needs increase. As an off-server cloud backup solution, it offers critical disaster recovery capabilities by maintaining data separately from local servers. This separation ensures data safety and satisfies redundancy requirements for mission-critical operations.

Cross-server functionality 

One of block storage’s most powerful features is its support of cross-server attachments, allowing the same storage volume to connect to multiple servers simultaneously. This capability is particularly valuable for organizations requiring shared access to files across different servers. 

For scenarios requiring synchronized access, implementing a shared-disk file system (or clustered file system) enables simultaneous mounting while maintaining data integrity. This combination effectively separates physical storage from servers while facilitating efficient data sharing across the infrastructure.

Block storage vs. file storage

Block storage and file storage offer two distinct approaches to data management, each with its own strengths and limitations. 

File storage organizes data in a hierarchical structure with files and folders, similar to traditional filing systems. Each file contains metadata, including creation date, file name, and size, making it intuitive for users to navigate and manage their data. This familiar structure provides a natural way for users to organize and access their information. In contrast, block storage divides data into fixed-sized blocks with unique identifiers, storing them as separate units that can be spread across different environments. 

Differences and trade-Offs

• Performance: Block storage delivers lower latency and higher performance for data access, with strong data consistency and immediate updates. File storage prioritizes user accessibility over raw performance.
• Cost and management: Block storage typically comes with higher costs and requires more technical expertise to manage effectively. File storage offers simpler management but may face performance challenges with large-scale deployments.
• Accessibility: File storage provides intuitive shared access with simple file-level permissions and controls. Block storage trades this ease of use for enhanced performance and direct data control.

Use case considerations

Limitations

Block storage costs more than other storage options, especially when expanding the system. Its simple metadata system makes it harder to organize and search through data effectively. Setting up and maintaining block storage also requires specialized technical knowledge, which means organizations need experienced IT staff to manage it properly.

File storage, on the other hand, runs into common problems during everyday use. When the number of files grows too large, the system slows down noticeably, affecting how quickly users can access their data. It doesn’t scale up as well as block storage, making it difficult to expand as needs grow. File storage also struggles to handle large amounts of unstructured data, which is increasingly common in modern business applications.

Block storage vs. object storage

Object storage organizes data as distinct objects in a flat structure, with each object containing the data, metadata, and a unique identifier. These objects are stored in repositories called buckets, maintaining all files at the same level.

Differences and trade-Offs

• Performance: Block storage delivers superior low-latency performance for structured data and databases, while object storage prioritizes throughput over speed, making it better suited for large-scale data operations.
• Metadata handling: Object storage excels with rich, customizable metadata capabilities that support advanced search and organization. Block storage offers only basic metadata, focusing instead on raw performance.
• Scalability: Object storage provides virtually unlimited scalability with consistent performance at scale. Block storage, while highly performant, faces practical limits in terms of scale and becomes more complex to manage as it grows.

Use case considerations

Limitations

Object storage’s higher latency means slower access times compared to block storage, which can be problematic for applications that need quick data retrieval. The cost structure can become expensive when data is accessed frequently, as each retrieval adds to the overall expenses. 

Updating existing data can also be cumbersome, as the system typically needs to rewrite entire objects rather than just changing small portions, making it inefficient for frequently modified data.

Use cases for block storage

Here’s how different sectors use the capabilities of block storage:

Database management

Enterprise databases demand consistent I/O performance and low latency, making block storage ideal for applications like Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. Handling random read/write operations efficiently ensures optimal database performance. This makes block storage particularly valuable for transaction-heavy systems where data integrity and quick access are crucial.

Virtual infrastructure

Block storage provides the essential foundation for virtual machines and containers. Offering raw storage volumes that function like physical drives enables consistent performance for virtualized workloads. The direct attachment capabilities give administrators enhanced control over their virtual environments, allowing for precise resource allocation and management.

Enterprise applications

Mission-critical enterprise applications rely heavily on block storage’s core strengths. Its high availability and reliability ensure continuous operation of essential business systems. The predictable performance under heavy loads makes it suitable for demanding enterprise workloads, while strong data consistency guarantees protection of critical business information.

Storage Area Networks (SAN)

In SAN environments, block storage delivers centralized storage management capabilities that streamline operations. Its high-speed data access across the network ensures efficient information flow, while smart resource utilization supports large-scale deployments. This makes it particularly effective for organizations requiring enterprise-grade storage solutions.

The direct access nature of block storage makes it particularly valuable in scenarios where consistent performance and low latency are essential, such as financial systems, healthcare applications, and real-time analytics platforms. These environments benefit from block storage’s ability to provide reliable, high-speed data access while maintaining data integrity.

Liquid Web’s block storage solution

Block storage is vital in modern business computing, offering organizations a reliable way to store and manage their data. This guide has explored how block storage works, its key features, and how it compares to other storage options.

Liquid Web offers a practical block storage solution that addresses common enterprise storage needs. Their system uses a central storage cluster with built-in backup features and supports storage volumes up to 15TB. Customers can easily adjust their storage space through a user-friendly interface and share storage across multiple servers when needed.

The service has a 100% uptime guarantee and uses a distributed system to ensure reliable performance. While it works well for file storage and backups, it’s not designed for hosting active websites or running demanding databases. Instead, it provides additional storage space, offering secure off-site backup options and allowing easy movement of data between virtual and cloud servers.

For businesses looking to expand their storage capabilities in a secure and manageable way, Liquid Web’s block storage solution delivers the right mix of features and reliability. Built on a distributed platform, it adds redundancy and high availability to VPS and cloud dedicated server data storage or hybrid server clusters. The per-gigabyte allocation model makes it a flexible choice for various applications and storage needs.
Ready to enhance your storage infrastructure? Contact Liquid Web’s team to discuss your storage requirements and discover the best configuration for your specific needs.