Comparing cloud storage with local storage

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Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. Which type of storage lets you open your files from any device with an internet connection?

A Cloud storage

B Local storage

2. You are on a train with no internet signal and need to open a saved essay. Which storage lets you open it?

A Local storage on your laptop

B Cloud storage with no offline copy

3. Which type of storage usually gives faster access to large files, such as a 4K video?

A Cloud storage

B Local storage (e.g. an SSD in your computer)

4. Who is responsible for looking after the physical servers that hold your cloud files?

A You, the user

B The cloud storage provider

5. Which option is likely to cost more over time as your storage needs grow?

A Cloud storage, because of ongoing subscription fees

B Local storage, because you must pay a monthly fee

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1cloud storage		Abackup <- COPY files TO external_drive
2local storage		Bif internet == OFF then cloud_files = UNAVAILABLE
3Cloud storage relies on the network, so with no internet connection your files cannot be reached		CData kept on remote servers run by a provider and accessed over the internet from any device with a connection
4With local storage you control security and backups yourself, instead of relying on a provider		DLocal storage is on one device, so it is less portable. Files can only be reached from other devices if you carry the drive or copy the files.
5cloud_storage.open(file) # works with no internet		ECloud storage cannot be opened without a network connection. Files are held on remote servers and need the internet to be reached.
6local_storage.open(file) # from any device, anywhere		FData kept on a device you own, such as an internal HDD, SSD or USB drive, and usable without a network

Definitions

cloud storage vs local storage

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

IF internetConnected = _____ THEN storage ← "local" ENDIF

IF anywhereAccess = TRUE ____ storage ← "cloud" ENDIF

monthlyFee ← 5 yearlyCost ← monthlyFee _ 12 OUTPUT yearlyCost

IF storage = "cloud" THEN ______ "Provider manages security" ENDIF

IF networkSpeed _ 5 THEN storage ← "local" ENDIF

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A IF internet = FALSE THEN

B cloud_access ← FALSE

C local_access ← FALSE

D ENDIF

Question 2

A travel ← TRUE

B IF travel = FALSE THEN

C storage ← "cloud"

D ELSE

E storage ← "local"

F ENDIF

Question 3

A cloud ← 5 + 36

B local ← 100

C IF cloud > local THEN

D OUTPUT "Local is cheaper"

E ENDIF

Question 4

A IF storage = "cloud" THEN

B control ← "user"

C ELSE

D control ← "user"

E ENDIF

Question 5

A IF network = "slow" THEN

B cloud_speed ← "slow"

C local_speed ← "slow"

D ENDIF

Answer Key

Comparing cloud storage with local storage

Section A: Quick Questions

A — Cloud storage

A — Local storage on your laptop

B — Local storage (e.g. an SSD in your computer)

B — The cloud storage provider

A — Cloud storage, because of ongoing subscription fees

Section B: Match the Pairs

cloud storage → Data kept on remote servers run by a provider and accessed over the internet from any device with a connection

local storage → Data kept on a device you own, such as an internal HDD, SSD or USB drive, and usable without a network

Cloud storage relies on the network, so with no internet connection your files cannot be reached → if internet == OFF then cloud_files = UNAVAILABLE

With local storage you control security and backups yourself, instead of relying on a provider → backup <- COPY files TO external_drive

cloud_storage.open(file) # works with no internet → Cloud storage cannot be opened without a network connection. Files are held on remote servers and need the internet to be reached.

local_storage.open(file) # from any device, anywhere → Local storage is on one device, so it is less portable. Files can only be reached from other devices if you carry the drive or copy the files.

Section C: Definitions

cloud storage vs local storage — Cloud storage is accessed over the internet from anywhere, but relies on a network and provider. Local storage is on your device: quicker and fully under your control, but less portable.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

IF internetConnected = FALSE THEN
  storage ← "local"
ENDIF

IF anywhereAccess = TRUE THEN
  storage ← "cloud"
ENDIF

monthlyFee ← 5
yearlyCost ← monthlyFee * 12
OUTPUT yearlyCost

IF storage = "cloud" THEN
  OUTPUT "Provider manages security"
ENDIF

IF networkSpeed < 5 THEN
  storage ← "local"
ENDIF

Section E: Spot the Error

C — Local storage is on the device, so it still works with no internet. local_access should be TRUE. Only cloud access is lost offline.

B — Cloud storage suits someone who travels, because the files can be reached from any device. The test should be travel = TRUE, not FALSE.

A — Cloud storage usually has a monthly fee, so the cost over time is the fee multiplied by the number of months: 5 * 36. Adding gives the wrong total.

B — With cloud storage the provider owns and manages the servers, so the provider has control and security of the data. The user has control only with local storage.

C — Local storage does not use the network, so a slow connection does not affect it. local_speed should stay "fast". Only cloud speed depends on the network.