In today’s big data world, it’s vital that all organizations pay close attention to their data storage needs - especially if video is a part of the scenario.
The common story is that videos are developed and made available 24 x 7. This puts massive demands on infrastructure. The same is true of storing large amounts of photos, customer data, and transactional data.
Here are some things to keep in mind when considering your own infrastructure:
1. Define Your Needs
We’ve mentioned time and time again the importance of knowing what you need by way of short-term and long-term storage. The more you can define and predict where you are heading in the coming months and years, the better off you will be.
2. Consider Using Less Intensive Video Types
If you are continually growing your video library, you may want to consider streaming videos in Flash and/or offering low and high-res video options.
Many organizations are using tiered storage infrastructures that help speed up access to data and make data management much easier.
3. Stick with Tape
While you may find yourself using disk for many of your data storage needs, we strongly urge you to use tape when possible and tape is an obvious choice for long term archiving.
A growing number of organizations are realizing that regular data backups to tape are cost-effective and reliable. Plus, they are discovering the power of using tape as an active archive. This allows for them to restore datasets to disk at any time.
LTO-5 and LTO-6 are excellent for active archives for numerous reasons -- but most importantly, each tape holds a massive amount of data and has an easy to use file system (LTFS) for easy organization and data retrieval.
4. Think Twice About Relying on the Cloud
It’s becoming quite clear -- the cloud offers many advantages, but without regular data backups it may be dangerous. Make sure you have a backup system in place. We also recommend tape backups in this case.
If you are using tape please tape keep in mind that we at Big Data Supply, Inc. will purchase your excess new and out of archive data tape media cartridges. Recoup some of your initial investment with this highly secure and eco-friendly recycling option.
Have questions about your emerging data infrastructure? We can help you out. Drop us an e-mail or call and we’ll steer you in the right direction!
Contact us today: Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633
As you develop and maintain your data storage environment, there are a handful of steps that we recommend every organization take:
1. Get and Stay Organized
We see it time and time again -- organizations fail to carefully develop organization strategies and structures so that data can be easily retrieved. It is quite common (and definitely not recommended) that there is no rhyme or reason to the technologies that are being used and the way tapes, disks, disk drives, etc. are kept.
Take time to carefully plan how you will store data, what types of technologies will be used throughout the entire organization, how you will catalog tapes and disks, and what the protocol will be for the use and distribution of all data storage mediums.
2. Schedule Regular Backups
Make sure you have a plan of action where data backups are concerned. We recommend using LTO tape for archiving large amounts of data stored on disk. Tape is very stable, energy saving and can be stored for 30 years and more. Plus, because it is stored offline, it isn't susceptible to hacking or viruses that could wreak major havoc.
3. Don’t Take Risks
Never take any risks whatsoever with your data. Continually monitor your data storage setup and make necessary changes in structure, methodology, or policy if you feel your data is at risk. We've seen organizations learn this lesson the hard way and always recommend outlining each and everything that could possibly go wrong. It is then possible to outline steps for avoiding problems.
4. Get a Recycling Program in Place
When tapes, disk, and other technologies have reached their end, it is an excellent idea to consider recycling them all. We can help you in this department via our buyback program. Not only can you benefit financially by recycling data storage equipment, you can pave the way for a healthier environment.
5. Test Your Data Storage Solution
One of the best things you can do for your organization is to test current and future data storage environments. Never assume your proposed setup will work flawlessly. Constantly be on the lookout for ways to improve your setup.
Info@BigDataSupplyInc.com | Toll Free 800-905-7329 | Local 949-679-6633
