RDX - Capacity Utilization with Removable Disk Storage

One major issue that has become exacerbated over time is the utilization of the capacity of the removable storage. This could be considered an important component when evaluating the efficiency of the removable storage. Removable storage has had a long history of usage for data protection and information interchange.

Depending on the technology used, it may be very difficult to effectively utilize the capacity of the removable storage. If the data must be written in an encapsulated form on a serial access media, the amount of capacity used is typically the amount of data that the application software such as a backup program would encapsulate and write at any one time. The available space could be used by putting another encapsulated collection of data but only after all the previously written data had been passed over. In the past, the general usage case was to put only one of the sets of data on a removable technology at a time. Rarely was the effort taken to utilize all the available media.

In the mainframe world this became more of a problem as the technology improved and capacity increased. Hardware systems and software products were developed to stack multiple “virtual volumes” together on one physical volume. Even then, because of updating and expirations, the utilization was far less than optimal.

The RDX removable disk provides the ability to use the capacity purchased. Representing a disk with a file system, RDX stores independent data files whether they are backup sets, archive files, or interchange data. Additional files can be added at will with the random access ability of disk storage. This inherent technological difference allows a greater effective use of the storage resource.

Purchasing a technology where it is difficult to use the capacity or requires additional hardware or software systems is not recognizing the limitations of the usage model. Having the ability to easily use the available capacity in the same manner as local disk storage is a huge step forward in efficiency. The utilization factor, how much of what is paid for is being used, can be significant in establishing value.