Remote Storage

Remote Storage is the hierarchical storage management system for Windows 2000 Server. With Remote Storage, you use the Remote Storage Manager MMC snap-in to move unused files to a tape library. By regularly migrating files, you can increase the amount of free space on a disk. From the user's perspective, the migrated files remain active, but they take longer to access.

The storage hierarchy has two levels. The highest level is called local storage. It is made up of the local NTFS volumes of a computer running Remote Storage on a Windows 2000 server. The local disk volumes that are under Remote Storage control are called managed volumes.

The lower level of the storage hierarchy, called remote storage, stores the data that has been copied from local storage to an online library or additional storage device.

When the amount of free space on a local volume drops below the level you need, Remote Storage truncates data from local files that were previously copied to remote storage, and by doing so, provides free disk space. When data is moved, it leaves a file marker allowing you to access that file. Remote Storage manages movement of data according to guidelines set by the administrator for each local storage volume. You can set a schedule for moving files from specific volumes and set criteria and rules for the files that are to be moved. More specifically, you can:

• Allocate and configure remote storage devices and media.
• Set Remote Storage system-wide feature options.
• Configure volume management settings for Remote Storage managed volumes.
• View information about Remote Storage activity.
• Recover from media disasters.
• Create and submit jobs.

Because removable tapes in a library are less expensive per megabyte than hard disks, this is an economical way to provide both maximum data storage and optimal local disk performance.

Note

Your backup and virus scanning software must be compatible with Remote Storage. Administrators need to ensure that volume-wide file operations are done before activating Remote Storage so that you do not have to move everything back to the disk. Backup reads the data directly from the tape.

Relationship of Remote Storage and Removable Storage

Remote Storage uses Removable Storage for copying data to online libraries that contain removable media. Figure 19.3 provides an overview of the relationship of these storage systems and various storage devices.

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Figure 19.3 Relationship of Remote Storage, Removable Storage, and Storage Devices

Considerations for Using Remote Storage

Using Remote Storage provides the following advantages:

• Virtual expansion of local storage space by using lower cost remote storage.
• Transparent automatic access to data in remote storage.
• Automation of the labor-intensive overhead associated with daily manual data management operations.
• Centralized sharing of remote storage for multiple volumes.

Remote Storage is not a replacement for backup because only one instance of data exists. It is important to regularly backup the volume. Backup is integrated with Remote Storage so you do not have to move everything back to the disk; backup reads the data directly from the tape.

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