HOSTING / STORE, DELIVER AND RECOVER
Storage, CDN & Backup Explained
Storage keeps data, a content delivery network (CDN) distributes content, and backups preserve recovery options. One does not automatically replace the others.
What You Are Buying
Object storage holds files addressed by keys; it is not always a drop-in disk or a database. Block storage acts as an attached volume. File storage provides a shared filesystem. A CDN caches or forwards content near visitors, but may depend on an origin. A backup service needs retention, recoverability and access protection—not just a second copy that mirrors every deletion.
When You Would Use It
- Store media or application objects outside the application’s temporary filesystem.
- Reduce repeated origin delivery with caching when content is suitable.
- Recover from accidental deletion, a bad deployment or a compromised account.
What You Still Manage
Decide who can read and delete data, how caches are invalidated, and how restores are tested. Keep recovery access independent enough that one compromised account cannot destroy every copy. Document acceptable data loss and recovery time, then test against those goals.
Privacy Considerations
Object permissions, sharing links, cached copies and retained versions each affect who can see data. A public object URL is not an access-control mechanism. Ask how deletion reaches backups, replicas and CDN caches, and distinguish normal expiry from a legal hold or retention lock. If you need provider-blind storage, establish where encryption happens and who holds the usable keys.
Compare provider access, logs, retention and encryption →
Consumption, Allowances & “Unlimited”
Possible units include GB-months, read/write requests, retrieval, egress, stored versions and restore operations. “Unlimited backup” may restrict eligible devices, retention or data types. Archive storage can have retrieval delays, minimum storage durations and early-deletion charges. CDN delivery and origin traffic can be different billable meters.
Read the plan’s resource limits and acceptable-use policy together. Ask what happens at the threshold: an extra charge, reduced speed, rejected requests or suspension. Understand the billing language →
Questions to Ask Before Buying
- Are requests, restored data and outbound transfer priced separately?
- How long until archived data can actually be downloaded?
- Can retention locks or independent credentials protect recovery copies?
- Is restoring to another service supported and affordable?
The takeaway: Compare the cost of recovery and exit, not just the cost of keeping a file.
Technical reference: AWS: object storage features and storage classes.
Linked for its explanation of the technology, not as a provider recommendation. Features and contract terms vary.