Data Management Glossary
Unstructured Data Tiering
See Data Tiering. Read the Komprise Guide to Unstructured Data Tiering.
Unstructured data tiering is the process of organizing and managing unstructured data (such as text, images, videos, and other non-relational data types) into different levels or tiers based on various criteria. This approach helps optimize storage costs, performance, and access efficiency. Read: 5 Tips to Optimize Your Unstructured Data.
When it comes to unstructured data tiering, it’s important to consider:
Data Classification
- Active Data: Frequently accessed and modified data. (aka hot data)
- Inactive Data: Rarely accessed but still valuable data. (aka cold data)
- Archive Data: Data that is infrequently accessed and primarily kept for compliance or historical reasons.
What Storage Tiers Make the Most Sense?
- High-Performance Storage: Fast, expensive storage for active data (e.g., SSDs, NVMe).
- Standard Performance Storage: Cost-effective storage for moderately accessed data (e.g., HDDs).
- Archival Storage: Low-cost, high-capacity storage for infrequently accessed data (e.g., tape storage, cloud archival services).
Automated Tiering
Using data management software or services that automatically move data between tiers based on access patterns, age, or other policies. See Policy-Based Data Management.
Block vs File-Level Tiering
The the way data tiering is done can significantly change your cost savings and affect your options to access your cold data. It’s important to understand the differences between block-level tiering (NetApp FabricPool, Dell PowerScale CloudPools), which moves blocks that can no longer be directly accessed from their new location without the vendor software, and file-level tiering, which is what Komprise uses to fully preserve file access at each tier by keeping the metadata and file attributes with the file—no matter where it lives.
Read the white paper: Block vs File Tiering
Learn more about Komprise Transparent Move Technology (TMT)
Cost Optimization
- Storing data in the most cost-effective manner without compromising performance for frequently accessed data.
- Leveraging cloud storage options to dynamically scale and manage data storage costs.
Access Efficiency
- Ensuring that data can be quickly retrieved when needed, especially for active and frequently accessed data.
- Implementing caching mechanisms to improve access times for data stored in lower tiers. Read: Why Cloud Native Data Access Matters
Data Lifecycle Management
Implementing policies for data retention, archival, and deletion to ensure that data is managed throughout its lifecycle. Read: Treating all enterprise data the same is ‘no longer viable’
Compliance and Security
Ensuring that data is stored in accordance with regulatory requirements and is protected against unauthorized access and breaches. See: Unstructured Data Governance
Data Analytics
Using analytics to monitor data usage patterns and optimize tiering strategies based on real-world usage.
At Komprise, we say: Know First. Move Smart. Take Control.
By effectively implementing an unstructured data tiering strategy, organizations can achieve significant cost savings, improve data access performance, and ensure that their data storage infrastructure scales efficiently with their data growth.