The Benefits of Hierarchical Storage Management

What is Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) and what are the benefits? HSM,is a data storage system that automatically moves data between different tiered storage.

HSM is a subset of the Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) set of storage strategies.  Files are managed and moved to different logical and physical locations based on business policies and performance requirements.

Did you know that:

--  Less than 20% of all IT files are accessed again within 30 days after creation?

--  60% of files are accessed longer than 90 days ago?

--  A large amount of duplicate files exist in every environment?

--  Several terabytes of archived files exist in most environments?

--  Requests for additional storage occur often?

Why does HSM exist?

--  HSM systems exist because high-speed storage devices, such as hard disk drives, are more expensive (per byte stored) than slower devices, such as SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) drives and magnetic tape drives

--  HSM systems store the bulk of the enterprise's data on slower devices, and then copy data to faster disk drives when needed. In effect, HSM turns the fast disk drives into caches for the slower mass storage devices

--  HSM systems monitor the way data is used and makes best guesses as to which data can be safely moved to slower devices and which data stays on the hard disks

Benefits of HSM

The benefits of HSM are that it improves productivity and resource utilization, finds ways to do more with what organizations already have, and provides enhanced access to resources by:

--  Simplifying resource sharing

--  Reducing administrative workload

--  Consolidating aids in the support of business growth and change

Provided below is a diagram that depicts how to move and manage data.  It is important to understand how often files are accessed by the organization so that you can determine when files should be stored offline or near line. Once you understand how often files are accessed, it is easy to create the policies and type of storage required so that you can maintain the integrity of your data.

Laura Paoletti holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Information Systems and has been the Vice President of Information Technology at NBC-Universal and Disney ABC Television.  She has also held positions at Ernst & Young LLP in the Technology practice.  In her role she has been responsible for Applications, Infrastructure and Digital Media.  Some of her notable accomplishments include the implementation of applications for Digital Media, Marketing, Finance, Manufacturing (supply chain), Sales and Consumer Products; Implementation of Enterprise Data Warehousing/Business Intelligence systems; Data Center management, including hardware, storage strategies, digital libraries and data center expansion; Implementation of a Project Management office; and Business transformation from a tape to a tapeless environment (digital media).

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