DATA ARCHIVE PLANNING STRATEGIES

Datarch recognise that IT managers are strategy planners are being put under pressure to storing ever-greater amounts of digital content. This in turn means an increase investment in expensive IT storage resources.

However, some realise that they can use long-term archive strategies to significantly limit additional investment. Instead of storing all data on expensive front line storage systems, they recognise that archive data can be migrated to more appropriate and cost-effective alternatives.

This forward-thinking approach not only reins in IT budgets but also delivers compelling business benefits over the long term. Those data centre managers that believe an archiving approach to data growth is nice in theory but too complicated in practice, risk missing a huge opportunity.

There are five key areas which Datarch engage with a customer to createcomprehensive archiving strategy.

Volume

The first step to any archive strategy is to separate active from static data in order to reduce the volume of data residing on primary storage

Active data is data that is currently being created or used; static data is never changed and rarely accessed. Up to 80% of all data stored on magnetic disk RAID systems (primary storage) is static data. A Datarch archive stratgey can remove as much as 80% of data off primary storage onto secondary storage, such as cost effective high capacity SATA arrays . An archive solution can slash the capital costs hardware expenditure and management overheads.

High density, high capacity storage green storage is eg Nexsan SATABeast is very cost effective to run and manage which makes it an ideal solution for infrequently accessed archive data.

Value

Assess the Value of your Data and Categorise to define management policies

Having divided the data into two categories active and static. The next step is to assess the value of this data so it can be properly managed. The value of active data is high since it is currently being used. Determining the value of static data is more difficult since it is not all equal. The most effective approach is to create categories defined by the value that the data represents and place static data into the most appropriate category. This categorisation process allows you to define management policies over the life cycle of the data and once in place lends itself to automation of the process.

Retention

Decide on the retention period for each category of your Static data

Once your static data is categorised according to its value, you need to determine how long each category should be retained. External government regulations and internal policies both define retention policies. In either case, it’s critical to your archive strategy that the retention period be clearly defined for each data category.

Most customer find that they need several different archive policies , this can vary from 5 -7 years to an indefinite time into the future – Datarch solutions are provided with high reliability and long warranties . This gives customers peace of mind knowing that their data is secure for the full retention period .

Risk

Control your archive strategy with risk management and mitigation

A long term archiving strategy will be highly beneficial to a company but only if they are managed properly, these same records can also represent a liability if poorly managed. A controlled archive strategy means that records can be located easily within a certain time frame, and that it can be demonstrated that they are authentic.

Without a controlled archive strategy this could be impossible, greatly increasing your risk, but even with an archive, it must be built with risk mitigation on mind.

Datarch solutions using the Nexsan Assureon appliance offer the following features
http://www.nexsan.com/assureon.php

Complete Data Separation and Security, your data is logically and physically separate from the rest of the data ensuring privacy and complete security.

An unalterable audit trail for the life of an archived file. Every time a file is accessed, a record is kept of who accessed it and when it was accessed.

Cost

Total Cost of Ownership

When considering an archive solution, you must look at total cost of ownership (TCO) rather than pure acquisition cost. Because an archive operates for many years, your financial assessment should take into account the initial purchase and also maintenance, system replacement and the operating overhead. With the huge increases in electricity costs, more CIOs require archive solutions with the lowest possible power consumption and cooling overhead to reduce their energy costs and lower their carbon foot print.

From a long-term financial perspective, Datarch archive solutions are extremely cost effective both for capital acquisition and long term running cost . The innovative use of MAID power saving technology
http://www.nexsan.com/products/automaid.php
allows for the full features and benefits of disk archive without the high associated costs of cooling and power consumption

Summary

The amount of information flowing into your data centre can seem overwhelming, but deploying an archive strategy now is your best defence , Datarch are a company who specialise in designing archiving policies which will comply with regulations, manage corporate risk and make valuable information accessible in a way that will enhance your business . All of these benefits will give you a competitive advantage in an aggressive business market.