Remote Storage overview

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Remote Storage overview

Remote Storage makes it easy for you to extend disk space on your server computer without adding more hard disks. Remote Storage automatically copies eligible files on your local volumes to a library of magnetic tapes or magneto-optical disks. Remote Storage then monitors the amount of space available on your local volumes.

File data is cached locally so that it can be accessed quickly as needed. When the amount of available space on a managed volume dips below the level you need, Remote Storage automatically removes the content from the cached files, providing the disk space you need. When data is removed from a file, the disk space used by the file is reduced to zero. Data from cached files is not removed until more disk space is needed. When you need to open a file whose data has been removed, the data is automatically recalled from remote storage.

Since removable tapes or disks in a library are less expensive per megabyte (MB) than hard disks, this can be an economical way to provide both maximum data storage and optimal local disk performance.

Levels of data storage

Remote Storage data storage is hierarchical, with two defined levels. The upper level, called local storage, includes the NTFS disk volumes of the computer running Remote Storage. The lower level, called remote storage, is on the automated media library or stand-alone tape or disk drive that is connected to the server computer.

Remote Storage supports all SCSI class 4mm, 8mm, DLT, and magneto-optical devices that are supported by Removable Storage. Using Remote Storage with Exabyte 8200 tape libraries is not recommended. Remote Storage does not support QIC tape libraries or rewritable compact disc and DVD formats.

Retrieval of stored files

When you need to access a file on a volume managed by Remote Storage, you simply open the file as usual. If the data for the file is no longer cached on your local volume, Remote Storage recalls the data from a tape library. Because this can take more time than usual, Remote Storage removes the data only from those files on your local volumes that you are least likely to need, based on criteria that you set.

Coordination with other tools

Remote Storage uses Removable Storage to access the applicable tapes contained in libraries. Remote Storage also works with Backup for data recovery, and with Task Scheduler to schedule file copy operations. For information on Removable Storage, see Removable Storage. For information on Backup, see Backup overview. For information on Task Scheduler, see Task Scheduler.

Remote Storage also provides certain data-recovery features, including the ability to generate multiple copies of data in remote storage.

Note

  • Using Remote Storage to copy files to remote storage is not the same as backing up your files. You should follow a regular schedule of data backups, including backing up the contents of the local volumes that Remote Storage manages. You should also backup the Remote Storage database and other program files located in the System32\RemoteStorage folder.

Caution

  • Do not create File Replication service (FRS) replica sets on a volume that is managed by Remote Storage. In addition, do not add a volume that contains directories that are part of an FRS replica set to Remote Storage. Otherwise, you might severely impact system performance and possibly cause data loss within your media library.

    FRS might need to periodically read every file in the replica set to send the file contents to another computer. This causes FRS to recall all files that Remote Storage has sent to secondary storage, which might take a long time (hours or days). If you use tape for your secondary storage, remember FRS recalls files in directory order rather than media order, so the excessive number of tape seeks performed by FRS will likely ruin the tapes and cause data loss.