{"id":1491,"date":"2017-03-30T13:00:06","date_gmt":"2017-03-30T11:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.archiware.com\/blog\/?p=1491"},"modified":"2022-04-11T11:00:04","modified_gmt":"2022-04-11T09:00:04","slug":"disk-tape-cloud-type-storage-right-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.archiware.com\/blog\/disk-tape-cloud-type-storage-right-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Disk, Tape, Cloud – Which type of storage is right for your business?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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by Julia Friedrich & Ibrahim Tannir<\/p>\n

When planning a data management strategy, there are a number of questions that need to be considered: Do I need an immediate failover solution? What is an acceptable backup frequency? What is the maximum retention period for past data? How can I make sure my data is safe in case of a natural disaster? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Many helpful guides to creating such strategies exist (here\u2019s one example<\/a> referring to backup), following all of which should result in a detailed description of your strategy. But do not stop at the theory: create use cases<\/a> playing out concrete scenarios for your specific business, and test your failover\/backup\/archive setup regularly to eliminate bottlenecks and flaws.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a software-only supplier, one question we get asked frequently is \u201cWhich storage media should I use for my Archive\/Backup?\u201d This question, however, can never be answered categorically. The selection of the ideal storage hardware \u2013 which may well be a mix of different media – depends heavily on your individual requirements and strategy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, as professional-grade storage usually comes with a considerable financial investment, it is imperative that the choice be considered meticulously to avoid spending money on the wrong kind of storage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although initial investments<\/strong> may well be a significant factor in your decision, make sure you consider cost over time<\/strong> \u2013 you might find that after a few years, it\u2019s a completely different picture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another important aspect is expandability<\/strong>. With ever-growing media formats, you should make sure that your storage will be able to cope with future developments when it comes to capacity.<\/p>\n

And what about availability<\/strong>? In case of disk failure or user error, do you need your data straight away, or can you afford a few hours or days to get it all back? Do you have the possibility to store an extra copy off-site<\/strong> so it\u2019s safe even if your building is damaged by flood, fire, or even just in case of a power outage?<\/p>\n

These are just a few aspects to consider, and that is why we cannot answer the original question definitively.
Having said that, what we can do is give you an overview of the three most common types of storage for professional data management \u2013 specifically disk, LTO tape and the cloud – and their advantages and disadvantages:<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Disk<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

HDD<\/strong> (spinning disk) or SSD<\/strong> (solid-state). While SSD does not suffer from mechanical failure as much as spinning disk, the price per TB is around four to five times higher than for HDD). Here\u2019s a comparison of both disk types<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Advantages:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n