Data Management Glossary
Storage Refresh
A storage refresh involves upgrading or replacing existing data storage infrastructure with newer, more efficient, or higher-capacity storage solutions. A data storage refresh can involve hardware upgrades, such as installing new storage arrays, servers, or disk drives, as well as software upgrades for managing and optimizing storage resources, or cloud migrations as more of your data storage moves to cloud storage and infrastructure platforms such as AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. Optimizing data storage costs is also a primary driver of a storage refresh as data volumes continue to grow and IT budgets do not.
Common reasons for a storage refresh
- Performance Improvement: Upgrading to faster storage technology can improve overall system performance, reducing latency and improving data access times.
- Capacity Expansion: As data storage needs grow, organizations may need to add more storage capacity to accommodate increasing amounts of data.
- Cost Reduction: Newer storage solutions may offer better cost efficiencies, such as lower power consumption or more efficient use of storage space.
- Enhanced Data Protection: Modern storage systems often come with improved data protection features, such as better redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities.
- Compatibility with New Technologies: Upgrading storage infrastructure can ensure compatibility with new technologies or software applications that may require specific storage requirements.
- Compliance Requirements: Organizations may need to refresh storage infrastructure to comply with changing regulatory requirements related to data storage and security.
A storage refresh process typically involves assessing current storage needs, evaluating available storage solutions, planning the migration or deployment process, and implementing the new storage infrastructure while minimizing disruption to ongoing operations. It’s important to carefully plan and execute a storage refresh to ensure a smooth transition and avoid data loss, and end-user or application disruption.
Read the eWeek article: 5 Mistakes to Avoid in a Storage Refresh
- Mistake 1: Making Decisions without Holistic Data Visibility
- Mistake 2: Choosing One-Size-Fits-All Storage
- Mistake 3: Becoming Locked into One Vendor
- Mistake 4: Moving Too Fast
- Mistake 5: Ignoring Future Storage Needs