Time to read: 4 minutes, 57 seconds | Published: October 10, 2025
Block storage What is block storage?
Block storage is the simplest form of data storage commonly used in cloud computing and enterprise IT environments. It involves storing data in fixed-sized chunks called "blocks." Each block has its own unique identifier, allowing the storage system to access and retrieve data efficiently. Block storage is sometimes referred to as SAN storage since they are closely related. SAN (storage area network) is a common storage networking architecture that stores data in blocks. SAN is a method of delivering block storage.
What are the benefits of block storage?
Block storage offers many benefits, making it a common choice for enterprises:
- Granularity: Data is divided into blocks of fixed sizes, typically 512 bytes or 4 KB, which allows for fine-grained control over storage. This storage format allows files to be updated and modified efficiently. When a file needs to be changed, the system can change the exact block without having to rewrite the entire file. This is not an option with other data storage structures.
- Performance: Block storage is known for high performance. Block storage also delivers low latency due to the unique identifiers within the block structure. It is ideal for applications that require high performance, such as databases and virtual machine file systems.
- Flexibility: Blocks can be accessed and modified independently for efficient storage management and optimization.
With its efficiency and high-performance, block storage is a suitable option for many enterprise environments. In addition, highly scalable block storage is able to grow as organizations need more storage without compromising performance.
What are disadvantages of block storage?
Block storage has certain disadvantages, depending on the use case and infrastructure. Here are some of the key drawbacks:
Complexity in management
Administrators often need to manage block storage at a lower level, requiring specialized knowledge and tools.
No built-in metadata
Block storage does not store metadata with the data itself, unlike object storage. Metadata (such as data type, creation time, or ownership information) must be managed externally, which can increase complexity for applications requiring detailed data tracking.
Lack of native accessibility
Block storage is typically accessed via protocols like iSCSI or Fibre Channel, meaning it requires specialized infrastructure or software to interface with the storage system. In contrast, object storage or file storage can be accessed more easily over protocols like HTTP or SMB/NFS.
Potential data fragmentation
If not managed properly, block storage can lead to data fragmentation, where data is scattered across blocks in a way that reduces performance and increases the complexity of data retrieval.
Understanding these disadvantages can help you determine whether block storage is the appropriate solution for your specific needs.
What is the difference between file storage, block storage, and object storage?
File storage: File storage utilizes a graded system and is generally more user-friendly than block storage. The process of retrieving files in a file storage system is as simple as accessing the user interface and searching based on the name of the file, URL, or its location within a folder. With block storage, the SAN needs to piece together the blocks of data to retrieve the file.
Block storage: Block storage offers great flexibility and high performance. This sets the system apart from file storage systems.
Object storage: Object storage is the most scalable and affordable storage option. Object storage systems can also be the most reliable and efficient of the three data storage types. However, in an object storage system, it is impossible to make edits to a file. Files must be completely rewritten if any changes need to be made, whereas file storage allows continuous edits and updates.
What are the key use cases of block storage?
Block storage is a good solution for a variety of use cases across different industries and applications.
Databases:
- Relational Databases: Block storage is ideal for high-performance relational databases like MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, and SQL Server due to its low latency and high IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second).
- NoSQL Databases: It also works well with NoSQL databases such as MongoDB, Cassandra, and Redis, which require fast, consistent access to storage.
Virtual Machines (VMs):
- Hypervisors: Block storage is often used to store virtual machine disk images for hypervisors like VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and KVM.
- Cloud Instances: Cloud service providers use block storage to provide persistent storage for virtual machine instances, such as AWS EC2, Google Compute Engine, and Azure VMs.
Enterprise Applications:
- ERP and CRM Systems: Large-scale enterprise applications like SAP, Oracle ERP, and Salesforce benefit from the performance and reliability of block storage.
- Content Management Systems: Systems like Drupal, WordPress, and SharePoint can leverage block storage for their backend databases and file storage needs.
High-Performance Computing (HPC):
- Scientific Simulations: HPC applications that require fast access to large datasets, such as simulations in physics, climate modeling, and genomics, benefit from the high throughput and low latency of block storage.
- Big Data Analytics: Platforms like Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark can utilize block storage for their high-performance data processing needs.
Backup and Disaster Recovery:
- Snapshots and Clones: Block storage systems often support features like snapshots and cloning, which are useful for creating backups and enabling quick recovery in case of data loss or corruption.
- Replication: Data can be replicated across different locations to ensure availability and continuity in case of disaster.
Development and Testing:
- DevOps Environments: Block storage can be used to set up isolated environments for development and testing, allowing for rapid provisioning and tear-down of resources.
- Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Storing build artifacts, test data, and other resources in block storage helps streamline CI/CD pipelines.
Transactional Applications:
- E-commerce Platforms: Online transaction processing (OLTP) systems in e-commerce platforms like Magento and Shopify require the high performance and reliability that block storage offers.
- Financial Systems: Applications handling financial transactions, such as trading platforms and banking systems, benefit from the low-latency access provided by block storage.
Block storage provides the performance, scalability, and reliability required for a wide range of demanding applications and use cases.
What are HPE’s block storage offerings?
HPE offers modern and innovative block storage solutions to help you realize the full potential of your data, wherever it lives, with a seamless cloud experience for from edge to cloud.
HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000 is the industry’s first block and file solution on a disaggregated scale-out architecture, offering an AI-driven, intuitive cloud experience and robust cybersecurity. The intelligent self-provisioning provides 99% operational time savings. Predictive analytics prevent disruptions before they occur, and actionable recommendations help optimize storage operations. The B10000 also offers industry-leading SLAs that boost investment protection, productivity, efficiency, and workload optimization, with HPE Storage Future-Ready Program which includes guarantees for cyber resiliency, 100% data availability, Zero RPO/RTO and more. Customers also get free non-disruptive controller upgrade which reduces TCO by up to 30%.
Learn more about HPE’s latest storage advancements by checking out the HPE Alletra Storage MP B10000 announcement blog.
