What is File Storage ?
In the world of cloud infrastructure, data is the lifeblood of every application. But how you store and access that data determines your system's performance, scalability, and cost-efficiency. While an object storage solution is king for massive, unstructured data archives, and a block storage solution is the go-to for low-latency databases, file storage remains the backbone of collaborative workloads and legacy migrations.
To build a resilient system, you likely need to address these fundamental questions:
- How do I enable multiple instances to read and write to the same data source simultaneously?
- Which storage type offers the best balance between performance and ease of use?
- How can I move legacy applications to the cloud without refactoring the entire data layer?
- Is my current storage architecture limiting my application's ability to scale?
We will explore how file storage works, how it differs from other storage models, and why it remains the backbone of modern, scalable infrastructures.
What is File Storage?
File storage is a hierarchical method of storing data where information is stored in folders, which are then organized into a nested hierarchy of directories and sub-directories.
To the user or the application, it looks exactly like the hard drive’s filesystem on your laptop. Every file has a name, a set of metadata (like creation date and size), and a specific path. In short, a cloud-native file storage is a managed, shared file system that enables multiple CPU or GPU instances to read and write to the same data source simultaneously.
How does File Storage work?
File Storage supports horizontal scaling by providing all instances simultaneous access to shared file assets.
Native Multi-Writer Support (RWX)
This architecture is built for concurrency. It allows multiple compute instances (whether Virtual Machines or Kubernetes pods) to mount the same volume simultaneously with high consistency. It is the perfect fit for workloads that require shared access across a distributed fleet.
The Result
You get the ease of use of a standard folder structure with the raw performance that usually requires expensive, physically attached hardware.
File storage vs. other types of storage
Choosing the right storage type is about balancing access speed, data structure, and cost. For Scaleway users, the choice usually falls between File, Block, and Object.
1. File Storage: The Shared Specialist
The defining characteristic of file storage is Read-Write-Many (RWX). It allows multiple compute instances (Virtual Machines, Kubernetes pods, or Elastic Metal servers) to mount the same volume simultaneously. It is hierarchical and uses the POSIX standard, making it compatible with almost any application without code changes.
2. Block Storage: The Raw Performance Choice
A block storage solution breaks data into chunks (blocks) and stores them as separate pieces. It is the fastest option for databases because it provides the lowest possible latency. However, block storage is typically "Read-Write-Once" (RWO), meaning it can only be attached to one instance at a time. It’s like a dedicated internal SSD for your server.
3. Object Storage: The Infinite Archive
An object storage solution (Scaleway S3) stores data as "objects" in a flat structure (buckets), with no particular hierarchy. You access data via API calls (HTTP) rather than a file system mount. It is the king of cloud storage for massive, unstructured data like media files, backups, and data lakes.
Comparison Table
| Feature | File Storage | Block Storage | Object Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | Hierarchical (Folders) | Linear (Blocks) | Flat (Buckets) |
| Simultaneous Access | Yes (Multi-instance) | No (Single-instance) | Yes (via HTTP API) |
| Ideal Use Case | Shared assets, CMS, AI | Databases, Boot vols | Backups, Big Data |
Advantages of File Storage
- Shared Access (Read-Write-Many): Break the storage silos with secure multi-writer access. This is critical for CMS or HPC workloads.
- Zero Learning Curve: Uses a path-based system (like Is / cd), no API learning required.
- Application Compatibility: Ideal for lift-and-shift migrations without rewriting applications.
- Data Sovereignty: Data stored at Scaleway remains in Europe with high availability guarantees.
Use cases for file storage
1. Scalable Web Hosting (CMS)
Multiple frontend servers behind a Load Balancer need access to shared media and configs. File storage ensures consistency across all nodes.
2. AI & Machine Learning Training
GPU clusters require access to the same datasets. File storage enables parallel data access without duplication.
3. Kubernetes Persistent Volumes (RWX)
File storage integrates with Kubernetes for scalable stateful workloads using RWX volumes.
4. DevOps and CI/CD Pipelines
Share build artifacts, logs, and code across pipeline stages without object storage latency.
Ready to build?
Whether you are migrating a legacy enterprise application or architecting a cutting-edge AI platform, Scaleway’s File Storage provides the familiarity of a file system with the raw power of the cloud.