Improve application performance and storage economy through Dell storage tiers
Tiering and archiving represent two distinct yet complimentary concepts for maximizing enterprise data value. While often confused in usage, distinguishing between the two can be vital for program success.
Data tiering is designed to improve application performance and storage economy by classifying active data (based on workload characteristics, business criticality, etc.) and aligning each class with the storage medium or system that best suits it. Tiering can be implemented dynamically or statically, and within a SAN or NAS or at the LAN layer above it.
Data archives are built to optimize data retention by storing information (and associated metadata) on platforms using policies that facilitate long-term retention, search and retrieval. Electronic archives preserve content, prevent or track alterations and control access to records.
Archiving is thus most effectively implemented at the LAN layer, where multiple storage systems can be leveraged. Data archives can utilize disk or tape storage systems and may be created at the start of a data management infrastructure design or added later as a repository to hold data moved from primary storage.
