Anyone who cares about security of your files is now accustomed to managing a varied data archive: from the most classic of backup to the use of external hardware. Up to the subscription to the latest services of public or private cloud.
From a certain point of view the possibility of store information forever seems like an almost impossible dream. On the other hand, however, the digitization has certainly made it possible to significantly improve the maintaining content of various kinds.
In this historical moment there are several opportunities available to a user interested in the creation of a secure archive and easy to consult: give it hard disk at USB sticks. Up to solutions (even) less jokes, such as SSD oh LTO tapes.
The difference between archiving and backup
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The first concept to clarify when talking about how to store data forever it’s the distinction between actual archiving and backup.
And backup from the computer usually contains i data which are often accessed, which change regularly: for example the files you are working on.
Having a backup and updating it constantly is essential in order not to suffer the consequences of data loss, but it is different from archiving files
L’storagein fact, has to do with i files that are rarely accessed, such as photo albums. Or alternatively files that need to be changed often, such as invoices.
Either way it’s about sensitive data for the user. It is no coincidence that they are often also placed inside the cloud storageso that you have a copy ready to use even in case of unexpected problems.
How to store files on external hard drive
Data storage on hard disk esterno it is a classic, as well as one of the most widespread and appreciated solutions. Usually, the 3.5 inch hard drivewhich cost less and are faster than the smaller ones for laptops.
The problem with this support lies in the typical limits of the magnetic hard disk: It is fragile, as it is full of moving parts that could break. An external hard drive that falls off a desk it will most likely get damaged.
The criteria for choosing the best external hard drive several factors come into play: the duration of the support, i costs for GB, the ease and the comfort of storage.
External hard drive is chosen based on criteria such as cost per GB, ease of use, weight and size
No medium is truly eternal, but for archiving it is good to focus on the most durable ones. There duration of a good quality support can even get to more than 15 years. Especially if the storage device is used little.
If the user has several TB of data to archive, that’s fine also keep in mind the price per GB. Finally, the archival media must be stored somewhere comfortably, therefore also weight and size matter.
How to archive files on USB sticks and SSD disks
USB sticks and SSD disks they’re pretty much the same thing: non-volatile memory chips that can house our data. From a technical point of view we often talk about flash storage systems: a storage technology that uses the Flash memory to write and store information of various kinds.
The main flash storage devices are on average smaller and lighter internal or external hard drives. Furthermore they have no moving parts that could break.
Until recently the limit of USB sticks it was their effective storage memory. But today we got to flash devices capable of hosting up to a TB of data.
USB sticks and SSD solid state memory drives are flash memory based devices
Alternatively you can opt for a solid state memory unitalso known by its acronym SSD: a device based on flash memory, which guarantees a data transmission speed that it doesn’t fear comparisons even with the cloud. Which is why they are often chosen for large backups.
SSDs have a commercial history still quite recentso the question cannot be answered yet: How long does it last a solid state drive. But if the USB sticks have proven to protect your data for more than 10 yearsit is conceivable that SSDs do this for even longer.
The “problem” with SSDs is their price, to date much higher than that of traditional USB sticks or hard drives. They range from 50 euros for 1 TB of the now older and slower models, to the over 300 euros to purchase a latest generation product.
How to archive files on Blu-Ray disc and LTO tape
I Blu-Ray discs they are the evolution of DVD discs and CD-ROMs. They offer 25GB of space each and are generally sold in packs of 10, 25, 50 or 100 units. Prices vary according to the quality of the single product.
To this price must be added the one-off price of recorder: the hardware that will allow you to create a data archive on disk.
In theory data stored on Blu-Ray can last up to 200 years. The biggest problem with this solution is the inconvenience of burning. On the contrary, storage is very easy, due to the small size and negligible weight.
The acronym LTO stands for Linear Tape-Open. LTO tapes are capable of archiving hundreds of TB of data. They are also characterized by a highly competitive average cost per TB.
However, the user has to face a considerable initial expense: a pack of 20 LTO tapes it can cost too much 1.500 euro. Added to this is the need for a tape drivewhich will actually allow you to compress and decompress files.
Tips for keeping archived files for a long time
The classic advice “Keep in a cold and dry place” applies to all filing systems data described in the previous paragraphs.
It is also always good to dedicate time to file and device maintenance. The hard disk for example they would go turned on at least once a year: to check that everything is working and not to block moving parts. On this occasion it is also useful to do a data integrity check.
The same goes for the USB sticksfor the SSD drives and for LTO tapes. THE Blu-Ray discsInstead, they must be kept clean. The dust Indeed risk scratching them and to compromise the data contained within them.
Proper and constant maintenance ensures a longer life for your files and storage devices
However, there is one last question that is not easy to answer today: that relating to future of interfaces. Will the standards in use still be current in 20 or 30 years?
Beyond the impossibility of predicting tomorrow, the fact remains that hardware they evolve continuously. So it is legitimate to think that even the most attentive users will gradually have to move their backup or data archive on devices compatible with future technologies.
To know more: The computer: how it is made, how it works, how to improve it