Tiered storage: new strategies match new demands and opportunities

Computer Technology Review, March, 2004 by Kevin Honeycutt

The end result is a single system, with a single integration and service source that combines the qualities of the two storage resources. Initial backups are written to disk and, depending on how the user sets up the system, most restores will be from disk--providing faster raw performance and RAID levels of fault tolerance. But for large-scale storage and long-term protection, tapes are created and save sets are moved off-site just as they are in any conventional backup scenario. The two resources are integrated, but they also exist side-by-side--the tapes that are created use standard backup software format and can be read directly in any compatible tape drive or they may be restored through the disk system. This combination of value, performance and streamlined management is giving IT departments faced with shrinking backup windows and increased data volumes a new source of help.

Conclusion

Storage remains one of the key issues facing IT departments, who are facing continued data growth, more challenging data protection requirements, and a mandate to reduce the total costs of system ownership by reducing management. A new approach that is helping users solve these problems integrates multiple kinds of storage resources into a single managed entity. ADIC's StorNext Management Suite data management software uses this approach to create a comprehensive Data Lifecycle Management environment that automatically manages and protects data on different resources over its lifetime. ADIC's Pathlight VX combines disk and tape into a single backup solution that gives conventional backup software and backup processes the performance and fault tolerance of disk along with the value and long-term retention characteristics of tape.

Kevin Honeycutt is vice president, Enterprise Partners. ADIC (Redmond, WA)

www.adic.com