Networkable storage or online storage is generally provided by optical disc (like CD, DVD, UDO, Blu-ray and Magneto Optical) or magnetic disk (a hard drive or a array of hard drives called 'RAID' or Redundant Array of Independent Drives). Nearline storage is provided by a robotic media storage system (library or '"jukebox') with removable media like like CD, DVD, UDO, Blu-ray , Magneto Optical and tape. Read More

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One of the puzzles of the universe is a branding of used back-up tape as 'certified'.  The idea being that a backup tape is like used tires and one can determine the expected life of the used product.  The amazing part is the concept of storing backup data on used data tape.  Now in the market they don't like to use the word 'used' but that is exactly what certified data tapes are and further their 'cheap' price is deceitful. 

Many times we have priced tapes to find some amazing deals only to find out that they are actually the used data tapes.  Very little information is provided on exactly what a 'certified tape' means. Nor is there any industry studies on the consequences of using such 'certified back up tapes'. One is simply buying a used tire with little or no tread left.  Trust your back up data only to new back up tapes if you care about recovering your data.

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The question of "back-up" vs. "archiving" data is an often asked one.  On the surface it seems at first that both are the same thing, or accomplishing the same thing: a duplicate copy of the data. 

The difference is two fold:   Time and permanence.

Backup: backups are generally focused on restoring a crashed system like a server.   A backup is composed of all the files that must be restored in order for the system to resume it's normal operation.  Backups are time sensitive.   That is they represent a certain time frame in the server or work station, a "restore point" to use Microsoft's terminology.  Backups tend to be done on rewritable media like DVD+RW or tape because they can be erased and there is nothing to gain by having old backups. In fact they are a liability if not carefully maintained.  This is not to say that a backup scheme does not span a certain time period like a week, or month but it's intended for replacement after the next backup. Backup files also tend to be in special file formats so the file structure can be restored intact.

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There is a unique group of specialized disc reader/writer and caching (storing a disc ISO image on a hard drive) that gives a great deal of flexibility using optical storage. These devices are designed for archiving data and retrieving it.  Archived data can appear like a normal file share when the disc image is mounted. that is when you look at "my computer" the disc or files show up as a drive letter.

For network access via server or network attached storage the direct attached DVD-ROM towers, Network Attached DVD-ROM towers, Disc Caching towers and robotic disc libraries or "jukeboxes" are an excellent method of putting a disc on the network.

These are mountable disc images that can be accessed anywhere on a local area network or shared out into the Internet.

DVD-ROM towers are similar to a DVD duplicator in form factor but instead of recorders (burners) the system is equipped with readers. DVD-ROM towers can be connected directly to a workstation or server via a SCSI connection and are considered "direct attached storage".

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