Archiving Tape Media
Last month we discussed tape maintenance and storage tips, and many of you requested that we expand upon the archiving aspect of tape media. Though backing up your data is extremely important, it is often the only step taken in the archiving process. In this article we cover the complete archiving process including putting a policy in place, environmental concerns, archival audits and more. Whether you outsource your backup or do it yourself, you will find the process review helpful.
Put together a complete Tape Archival Policy that includes the following:
- Backup timelines and procedures.
- Accessibility to your backup.
- Legal requirements in backing up your data.
- Audit procedures to prevent data loss.
- Guidelines for migrating the data.
- Organizational management of the process.
Maintain a stable storage environment
- Create a climate-controlled environment (eg. 60 +/-5 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity range of 40 - 50%).
- Filter system to remove airborne dust particles and gas pollutants.
- Prohibit the consumption of food and beverages and smoking in the storage facility.
- Handle tape only when necessary.
Migration requirements
- Due to the nature of archiving, it is likely that the life of the data will outlive the life of the technology originally used.
- Storing data in flat, non application specific formats allows simple, low cost media migrations to be performed throughout the life of the data.
- Be sure to maintain and environment that can access the media used. Often, customers have media and lack the hardware required to read it. This may cause compliancy issues and other legal repercussions.
Archival Audits in conjunction with your tape management system
- Assess quality of archived media.
- Locate misplaced tapes (Volser or Slot order).
- Identify missing tapes.
- Identify duplicate volume serial numbers.
Media Management
- Understand the life cycle characteristics of the media used, and plan for migrations before the media breaks down. Magnetic tape relies on several chemicals, to bind together and maintain the integrity of the data of time. These chemicals do break down over time, and the actual life of a piece of media is largely affected by its use and environment.
- Exercise the tapes. By their nature, archives tend to sit idle for long periods of time. Gravity has adverse effects on tape media, that can be minimalized by exercising the tape volume - simply read the entire cartridge.
- If your archive is offsite, transport the media in environmentally controlled transportation, and secure, padded, lock boxes. This insures the media is safe through it most vulnerable time.
If you have any questions or comments or you would like to suggest some tips, please don't hesitate to contact us today.
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