Archiving vs Backup - The Difference Between Backup and Archival Storage Solutions 

Organizations need storage products that provide authenticity, long-term retention of data and low total cost of ownership over time, without sacrificing the need for fast access and reliability. However, confusion often arises over the difference between backup and archival storage products and the specific technologies that address each need. With continuing high overall storage growth rates and with approximately 80% of data being static fixed content, companies must understand and distinguish between their backup and archiving needs before choosing the appropriate storage solutions to meet those needs. 

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Encryption Technology 

In today’s environment, the protection of sensitive data is imperative. Government and corporate compliance mandates are stiffening. HIPAA HITECH regulations now call for significant fines when personal health information is exposed, as well as public notification of such breaches. To protect sensitive data, encryption is the most effective way to achieve security. If data cannot be viewed then no breach can occur.

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Media Services

Optical Media Cleaning

Optical media is generally worry-free and since its inception, has been the media of choice for long-term archival storage. The media is extremely stable and unlike other archiving mediums, is not susceptible to magnetic interference, heat, humidity, water, EMP or solar flares, hardware failures, pollution, deletion, power surges, warping, active viruses and hackers. Additionally, optical media does not require special handling and can be stored offsite without the need for special environmental conditions.

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Blu-Ray™ Technology

The Blu-Ray™ optical disc format was developed by the BDA (Blu-ray Disc Association Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation). This group consisted of leading manufacturers including organizations such as: Hitachi, HP, JVC, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Sony, and TDK. The format was driven more in support of high-definition (HD) video for the consumer market, but with its ability to store large amounts of data, is applicable to the professional markets such as data archiving.

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FileNet OSAR Libraries

The FileNet Optical Storage and Retrieval (OSAR) library is an optical jukebox archive that provides organizations with an archive solution that leverages tiered storage in order to meet regulatory and discovery requirements. The library utilizes 12-inch media, available in Write Once Read Many (WORM) format. Media capacity is available in 5.6GB, 12GB and 30 GB sizes.

Although no longer manufactured, as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Alliance offers upgrade paths and service for customers with legacy libraries of all types.

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HP Libraries

Alliance Continues to Offer Upgrade and Service Paths for HP Optical Jukebox Libraries

Alliance continues to offer upgrade paths and service for customers with libraries that can no longer access support services from HP (reference HP announcement mid 2011 regarding end of service for the SureStore and StorageWorks optical jukebox libraries). Alliance understands the importance of investing in archive technologies and endeavors to enable businesses and organizations to continue with technology that makes good business sense.

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IBM 3995 Libraries

Alliance Continues to Offer Upgrade Paths and Service for IBM 3995 Libraries
As the original equipment manufacturer for IBM 3995 libraries with Magneto Optical drives, Alliance continues to offer upgrade paths and service for customers with libraries that can no longer access support services from IBM (reference IBM announcement in late 2012 withdrawing support and service for the libraries). Alliance understands the importance of investing in archive technologies and endeavors to enable businesses and organizations to continue with technology that makes good business sense.

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12 inch Libraries

The Plasmon 1800 Series is a family of 12-inch optical Jukeboxes designed to store large datasets in the most demanding of archiving applications. The modular design includes three models: 1602, 1802, and 1803. Each model set the standard for dependable, high-capacity, and unalterable TrueWORM™ (Write Once Read Many) technology. Using Plasmon 6000 or 8000 optical drives and media, the Series 1800 libraries can store from 870 gigabytes to 4.2 terabytes of data in a permanent archive with a minimum data life of 30 years. Many libraries are still in production today.

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