Determining what data goes on different backup tools
There’s a lot of diversification happening in data centers these days, and as companies become more accustomed to multi-tenancy information configurations, keeping track of where data should more reside can be tricky. There are various scales depicting how active certain files should be considered, rankings that can have a serious impact on what kind of architecture organizations allow these documents to reside in, since archives can now sometimes be just as fluid as everyday hardware. Ensuring that record types wind up in the correct silo is therefore an essential function of IT personnel.
InformationWeek wrote that active data has long been a staple of businesses everywhere, but that active archives are now joining their ranks on a more regular basis. In the past, information used to move from real-time to archive based on its age, but with the rise of business intelligence and analytics, these files are now being used and reviewed on a regular basis, making archives a more daily use solution than a latent storage bunker. Whether stored on backup tape management devices or in the cloud, this means that companies need to be able to exert meaningful use of their file tracking systems at any time, be it in a perceived daily or archive device.
Changing storage specifications
In order to disperse confusion, companies should consider using different criteria to determine whether some files should move to the archive phase. Instead of asking how old a document is, IT personnel should review it to see if it meets important review points. If the file is seen as one that will be used frequently in the future for analytics purposes, companies should set it aside in a separate resource intended neither as real-time data resource or archive platform.
Of course, then the question for many firms becomes whether it’s more appropriate to store various kinds of storage deployments on specific devices. For rapid access resources like everyday assets, businesses may be torn about the most efficient way to handle these files in a way that increases availability and storage depth. Computerworld stated that every company will need to assess its internal architecture and determine whether current hardware and software are sufficient. In some cases, backup tape may be better for archive operations than disk, or vice versa. Looking at data center size, overall cost and the anticipated demands on real-time and archive storage should give organizations a good idea of the overall information load they’ll have to handle, helping them make a fair call regarding what kinds of hardware implementations will work best for them.