Block storage: General information
Please use the “Print” function at the bottom of the page to create a PDF.
Valid for Cloud Servers, migrated Cloud Servers, and VPS+.
This article explains what block storage is. Furthermore, you will learn about the advantages of block storage, and what needs to be considered when configuring it.
Block storage units offer additional storage space that you can use in conjunction with a Cloud Server. Each block storage unit consists of an SSD whose size you can individually define. Because block storage units are treated as individual volumes, they are suitable, for example, for storing files, databases, or log files.
Access to a block storage unit is only possible if you assign it to a server. Each block storage unit can only be assigned to one server. Alternatively, you can create additional block storage units and assign them to your server.
Note
Block storages must be set up separately for each data center. For example, if you have set up a server in a data centre in the US, you can only assign block storages to this server that are hosted in the same data center.
Notes on configuration
When you create a block of storage and assign it to a server, you must customise the disk configuration in your server's operating system. You also need to adjust the data configuration if you subsequently change the size of a block storage. Depending on the operating system, adjusting the data configuration may also be required if you assign a block storage device to a different server.
Note
If you are using a migrated Cloud Server, you currently cannot change the size of the block storage afterwards.
If you have combined the boot partition and block storage into one volume and delete the block storage or assign it to another server, inconsistencies may occur in the file system. Therefore, before deleting or assigning a block storage, make sure that the data on it is not required by an application and that the block storage is not part of a volume.
Further information
Further information can be found in the following articles:
Mounting block storage on a server (Linux)
Mounting block storage on a server (Windows)
VPS+ and migrated Cloud Servers: Integrating block storage on a Linux Server