Which type of cloud storage is ideal for storing large amounts of unstructured data, like archives and backups?

The ideal type of cloud storage for storing large amounts of unstructured data, such as archives and backups, is blob storage. Blob storage is specifically designed for handling large volumes of unstructured data, which can include text files, images, audio, and video. It allows for efficient storage and retrieval of data by organizing it into "blobs," which enables scalability and ease of access.

Blob storage excels in scenarios where data does not conform to traditional database structures, making it particularly suitable for massive datasets and backups that may not require quick retrieval times but need to be stored reliably. This type of storage provides high durability and availability, which is crucial for archiving and backup solutions.

In contrast, block storage is better suited for high-performance scenarios where structured data needs to be accessed quickly, such as virtual machine disk drives. File-based storage typically operates with file systems more akin to traditional hard drives and is better for applications that require shared access, but it does not scale as seamlessly for large unstructured datasets. Object storage is similar to blob storage in terms of handling unstructured data but may not be the term used in this specific context, where "blob" is the more specific format related to storage solutions provided by certain cloud service providers.