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Data & Analytics · Foundational

Snowflake Architecture

Snowflake's three independent layers: database storage, query processing (virtual warehouses) and cloud services.

Definition

The storage layer keeps data in compressed, columnar micro-partitions in cloud object storage. The compute layer runs queries on independent virtual warehouses. The cloud services layer handles authentication, metadata, query optimization, access control and transactions. Each layer scales independently.

Exam tip

Know which layer does what: optimization and metadata = cloud services; query execution = warehouses; micro-partitions = storage.

Related terms