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Simplyblock vs Local NVMe Disk on AWS

Oct 03rd, 2024 | 3 min read

Best Storage Solution on AWS

The debate over the optimal storage solution has been ongoing. Local instance storage on AWS (i.e. ephemeral NVMe disk attached to EC2 instance) brings remarkable cost-performance ratios—20 times better performance cost and 10 times lower access latency than EBS. It’s a powerhouse for quick, ephemeral storage needs. In simple words, local NVME disk is very fast and relatively cheap, but not scalable and not persistent.

Recently, Vantage posted an article titled ” Don’t use EBS for Cloud Native Services “. while we, in principle, agree with this problem statement, we strongly believe that there is a better solution that using Local NVMe SSD Storage on AWS as an alternative to EBS.

The Local Instance Storage Advantage

Local storage on AWS excels in speed and cost-efficiency, delivering performance that’s 20 times better and latency that’s 10 times lower compared to EBS. For certain workloads with temporary storage needs, it’s a clear winner. But, let’s acknowledge the reasons why data centers have traditionally separated storage and compute.

Overcoming Traditional Challenges of Local Storage

ChallengesLocal Storagesimplyblock
ScalabilityLimited capacity, unable to resize dynamicallyDynamic scalability with simplyblock
ReliabilityData loss if instance is stopped or terminatedAdvanced data protection, data survives instance outage
High AvailabilityInconsistent access in case of compute instance outageAccess to storage must remain fully available in case of a compute instance outage
Data Protection EfficiencyN/AUse of erasure coding instead of three replicas to reduce load on the network and effective-to-raw storage ratios by a factor of about 2.5x
Predictability/ConsistencyAccess latency increases with rising IOPS demandConstant access latencies with simplyblock
MaintainabilityImpact on storage during compute instance upgradesUpgrading and maintaining compute instances without impact on storage is an important aspect of operations
Data Services OffloadingN/ANo impact on local CPU, performance and access latency for data services such as volume snapshot, copy-on-write cloning, instant volume resizing, erasure coding, encryption and data compression
Intelligent TieringN/AAutomatically move infrequently accessed data chunks from more expensive, fast storage to cheap S3 buckets

Simplyblock Solution

Simplyblock provides a revolutionary approach that marries the cost and performance advantages of local instance storage with the benefits of pooled cloud storage. It offers the best of both worlds—high-speed, low-latency performance near to local storage, coupled with the robustness and flexibility of pooled cloud storage.

Why choose simplyblock?

  1. Performance and Cost Efficiency: Enjoy the benefits of local storage without compromising on scalability, reliability, and high availability.
  2. Data Protection: simplyblock employs advanced data protection mechanisms,
    ensuring that your data survives any instance outage.
  3. Seamless Operations: Upgrade and maintain compute instances without impacting storage, ensuring continuous operations.
  4. Data Services Galore: Unlock the potential of various data services without affecting local CPU performance.

In conclusion, while local instance storage has its merits, the future lies in a harmonious blend of the speed of local storage and the resilience of cloud-pooled storage. With simplyblock, we transcend the limitations of local NVMe disk, providing you with a storage solution that’s not just powerful but also versatile, scalable, and intelligently designed for the complexities of the cloud era.

Embrace the future of storage with simplyblock on AWS.

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