Block storage

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Block storage refers to the direct access to random disk blocks in computer disk storage. Block storage is normally abstracted by a file system or database management system for use by applications and end users. The physical or logical volumes accessed via Block I/O may be devices internal to a server, direct attached via SCSI or Fibre Channel, or distant devices accessed via a storage area network (SAN) using a protocol such as iSCSI, or AoE. Database management systems often use their own Block I/O for improved performance and recoverability as compared to layering the DBMS on top of a file system.