Furthermore, by using enhanced features such as geographic mirroring, load balancing and a global file system, Internet-based storage vendors can offer new services. An Internet storage infrastructure consists of strategically placed data centers serving data from hot storage to end users. Subscriber data is distributed and mirrored across data centers that serve information to users from the best location. A key component of an Internet storage infrastructure is global load-balancing technology, which directs users to the optimal global data center. Load-balancing technology is further used to direct users to the optimal server cluster within that data center.
End users can access the data from the nearest data center or through the host's Web servers.
In addition, because Internet storage is fully managed, customers off-load storage staffing burdens. Providers of Internet storage will maintain redundant data centers to ensure data availability. Companies can connect to multiple providers to get a high level of performance and reliability. And a global file system will provide users with access to data from any point on the Internet. A global file system also means that companies with multiple hosting locations don't need to keep redundant storage systems.