Tell me more ×
Server Fault is a question and answer site for professional system and network administrators. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 0 down vote favorite

How can MediaFire (and other online storage websites) afford to offer unlimited storage space, as well as unlimited bandwidth?

share|improve this question
6  
In many ways it works the same as the all you can eat buffets. – Zoredache Jul 27 '10 at 23:23
@Zoredache You say that, but I've seen some people get through a dozen or more plates at a time at one of those places! :O – Tom O'Connor Jul 28 '10 at 7:01
@Zoredache -- I love the analogy lol. It makes sense now. – Wazle Jul 29 '10 at 4:50

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote

I gather that they basically work on the principal that:

  1. Nobody will use 100% of their storage
  2. Nobody will use 100% of their bandwidth.

They're basically taking a gamble on the above statements..

A lot of their bandwidth will be provided with interesting peering arrangements, as well as a few transit providers.

Storage is also cheap, and becoming cheaper, as long as speed and performance isn't a real problem. Caching data will help alleviate any real disk slowness, so it's not as noticable that they're using 5400 rpm disks, not FC connected disk arrays.

share|improve this answer
Which is the same principal that gmail uses with its (currently) 7.4gb of space offered – Mark Henderson♦ Jul 27 '10 at 23:05
They also store the user uploaded data for a period of time before erasing it to make space for new user data. – Luis Ventura Jul 28 '10 at 0:30
Okay, that makes sense -- just like the all-you-can-eat buffet analogy. Thanks. – Wazle Jul 29 '10 at 4:52

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.