DSI has talked with several companies recently that are evaluating their current storage systems and determining how their infrastructure needs to evolve to accommodate expanding capacity due to the vast amount of data being generated today. While there are several possibilities for building a storage system and processes to support what seems like an infinite amount of data, we recommend a hybrid approach.
Consider the importance of your data. Tier your data into three categories with the first tier considered the data that is accessed most often. Tier two is meant for rotational data and tier three is the data that requires back up but it is not accessed often. Most often due to regulatory guidelines such as HIPAA or Sarbanes Oxley, all of your data needs to be retained and archived but there are varying approaches to how you handle each tier of data storage.
As a key element of this hybrid approach, DSI believes Virtual Tape Libraries, also known as VTLs, provide the greatest scalability and flexibility to address companies’ growing storage needs. Companies can use virtual tape to design and implement a tiered storage solution. For instance, a company can back up their most readily accessed data using VTL with rotational hard drives, and employ physical tape to archive data for a more cost effective approach to storing that data.
Virtual storage is another smart approach. Virtual storage allows companies to leverage a common platform across the entire enterprise. Companies can share mainframe and open systems data on a virtual storage basis, and if a company decides to bring on more servers for a specific application, we can incorporate the new servers into the existing virtualized world very efficiently.
The key is finding a storage vendor that is willing to understand your unique business needs, and then develop a storage system and processes capable of supporting your business as it evolves in a cost effective manner.
-Leo Salvaggio, Vice President of Sales