Blog
6 November, 2024
December 19, 2023
Understanding Unstructured Data
The sheer volume of unstructured data is on an unprecedented trajectory. Every interaction, swipe, keystroke, and click across billions of digital devices worldwide generates vast amounts of data. In fact, the total data created, captured, copied, and consumed globally is projected to exceed 149 zettabytes annually by 2024. While unstructured data holds immense value, it also introduces challenges and complexities, particularly in managing the hardware that stores it. Traditional storage methods designed for organized data won’t cut it when it comes to modern unstructured data. Without proper “human housekeeping,” including creating a taxonomy for diverse data types and formats, the sheer scale of unstructured data becomes a bottleneck.
The Nature of Unstructured Data
Unlike structured data, which is neatly organized in tables, unstructured data takes the form of files and objects. It encompasses diverse data sources, including IoT data, device telemetry, textual documents, visual content, audio, rich data, and social media analytics. While unstructured data can give us valuable insights, dealing with it can be tricky. Figuring out what’s important, distinguishing quality from quantity, and finding connections between different pieces of unstructured data are common challenges. Storing huge amounts of data without a plan means you end up with a lot of useless information that requires identification and decision-making.
Two prevalent storage approaches for unstructured data are file storage (organized in folders and subfolders) and object storage (where data is divided into discrete units with no hierarchy).
In short, each approach has its advantages and drawbacks, influencing the efficiency of data retrieval, scalability, and modification capabilities.
Disk-based storage for unstructured data has been the default choice, thanks to its affordability and a general lack of meaningful alternatives. The downside to disk-based storage is that, as your unstructured data grows, it puts a strain on your data center. Here’s why:
But here’s the good news: You can finally handle and store unstructured data, no matter how big the workload is. With Pure Storage®’s Unified Fast File and Object (UFFO) storage, consolidating and storing unstructured data becomes achievable! FlashBlade//S™ combines the speed of flash with agile scalability, making it ideal for critical workloads requiring cutting-edge speed and performance. FlashBlade//E™, on the other hand, is tailored for large unstructured data repositories and everyday workloads. As a flash alternative to disk, it offers better total cost of ownership (TCO) and energy performance.
Getting ready for the surge in unstructured data means turning to modern solutions. Pure Storage®’s UFFO storage doesn’t just promise speed, scalability, and efficiency—it delivers. The powerful combination of UFFO advantages and TeraSky’s implementation expertise as a leading Pure Partner ensures that your organization is not just prepared but fully equipped to harness the transformative potential of unstructured data. Together, TeraSky and Pure Storage® pave your way to become future-ready.