How many access tiers does Azure Blob Storage provide?

Azure Blob Storage provides three access tiers to accommodate different storage needs based on the frequency and immediacy of access to the data. These access tiers are:

1. Hot Tier: This tier is optimized for data that is accessed frequently. It is best suited for scenarios that require low latency and high throughput, such as serving web content or data for cloud applications.

2. Cool Tier: This tier is designed for data that is infrequently accessed and stored for at least 30 days. The cool tier is a cost-effective option for data that does not require the same performance characteristics as the hot tier but still needs to be readily available when required.

3. Archive Tier: This tier is meant for data that is rarely accessed and is typically stored for long periods. It offers the lowest cost for storage but comes with higher costs for data retrieval and processing. Therefore, this tier is suitable for long-term archival storage, such as backups or compliance data.

By having these three distinct tiers, Azure Blob Storage enables users to manage their data storage costs effectively, optimizing for both access frequency and storage duration, which can lead to significant cost savings.