Comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of cloud storage and local storage
Compare the two storage methods from the dimensions of cost, reliability, compliance and access experience, and explain the applicable scenarios of the hybrid architecture.
Comparison
| Dimension | Local Storage (NVR/Array) | Cloud Storage |
|---|---|---|
| Initial investment | Higher (one-time hardware purchase) | Low (pay as you go) |
| Long-term costs | Mainly electricity bills and replacement disks | Continuous subscription may be higher in the long term |
| Data location | Local, fully controllable | Cloud, dependent on service provider |
| Reliability | Depends on local redundancy and operation and maintenance | Usually multiple copies, but depends on the network |
| Bandwidth dependence | Does not depend on the external network within the LAN | Strongly relies on uplink bandwidth |
| Scalability | Limited by disk slots and chassis | Elastic expansion |
| Compliance | Easy to meet data non-existence requirements | Need to confirm service provider qualifications and data location |
Local storage is more suitable
- Medium-to-large projects with many points and high bit rates (uplink bandwidth costs will be very high).
- Scenarios where the data is sensitive and requires not leaving the campus (government, finance, military industry).
- Branch offices with limited network conditions.
- Occasions that require long-term high-frequency playback.
Cloud storage is more suitable
- Deployment in chain stores and other dispersed, small-scale deployments.
- Scenarios that require remote viewing and unified management from multiple locations but no local computer room.
- As a supplement to offsite disaster recovery.
- Short-term needs such as temporary locations and event guarantees.
Hybrid architecture (recommended)
In actual projects, mixed use is often optimal:
- Hot data is local: The recordings of the last 30 days are stored locally to ensure playback speed and low latency.
- Cold data/key events to the cloud: Alarm clips and important event videos are synchronized to the cloud for off-site backup.
- Hierarchical preservation: short-term local storage and long-term archiving in the cloud (such as 1 year).
- Bandwidth Control: Only upload sub-streams or event fragments to avoid occupying too much upstream bandwidth.
Selection check items
- Whether the uplink bandwidth is sufficient (number of channels × code rate, leaving a margin).
- Data encryption, access control and compliance qualifications of cloud service providers.
- Service Availability SLA and Failure Indemnity Terms.
- Exit mechanism: Can historical data be completely exported when renewal is no longer required.
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