**3. Green computing- cloud storage and computing services**

Cloud storage cut energy consumption, computing expenses such us storage maintenance tasks, and purchasing additional storage capacity. Cloud storage

provides greener computing services. Cloud storage is a service package in which data is stored, managed, backed up remotely and made available to users over a network and internet services. Cloud storage is based on a virtualized infrastructure with accessible interfaces. Cloud-based data is stored in servers located in data centers managed by a cloud provider. A file and its associated metadata are stored in the server by using an object storage protocol. The server assigns an identification number, ID, to each stored file. When file needs to be retrieved, the user presents the ID to the system and the content is assembled with all its metadata, authentication, and security. The most common use of cloud services is cloud backup, disaster recovery, and archiving infrequently accessed data. Cloud storage providers are responsible for keeping the data available and accessible, and the physical environment protected and running. People and organizations buy or lease storage capacity from the providers to store and archive data files. Cloud storage services may be accessed via cloud computers and web services that use application programming interface, API, such as cloud desktop storage and cloud storage gateways.

There are three main cloud-based storage architecture models public, private and hybrid.

**Public cloud storage** services provide a multi customer storage environment that is most suited for data storage. Data is stored in global data centers with storage data spread across multiple regions or continents.

**Private cloud storage** provides local storage services to a dedicated environment protected behind an organization's firewall. Private clouds are appropriate for users who need customization and more control over their data.

**Hybrid cloud storage** is a mix of private cloud and third-party public cloud services with synchronization between the platforms. The model offers businesses flexibility, and more data deployment options. An organization might, for example, store actively used and structured data in a local cloud, and unstructured and archival data in a public cloud. In recent years, a greater number of customers have adopted the hybrid cloud storage model. However, hybrid cloud storage presents technical, business and management challenges. For example, private workloads must access and communicate with public cloud storage suppliers, so solid network connectivity and compatibility are very important issues in this case.

#### **Advantages of Cloud Storage**


*Introductory Chapter: Green Computing Technologies and Industry in 2021 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96847*

• Storage availability and data protection are provided by cloud storage services. So, depending on the application, the additional technology efforts, and cost to ensure availability and protection of data storage can be eliminated.
