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So What's the deal with data retention? - Part 2. (Using IBM Optim Storage Profile)

6/22/2014

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PictureIBM Optim Architecture
This has been a hectic week for me and looking forward to the July 4th long weekend :). 
 
In the second part of this series I would be discussing about how to use IBM Infosphere Optim Solution to implement data retention policies in your enterprise environment. The IBM Optim Architecture above lays out the various components that make up a typical Optim installation although in a large scale implementation there might be more elements but for the purposes of this discussion this would suffice. From the data retention point of view the most critical element in this layout is the storage profile.
A Storage Profile is an object in the Optim Directory that lets you provide rules for managing your archive
media according to the needs of your site.
  • During an Archive Process, Archive references the parameters in a Storage Profile to obtain rules for:
  • Determining the type of secondary media to use for Archive Files,
  • Creating duplicate Archive Files,
  • Copying Archive Files to a supported backup device,
  • Setting a WORM device or Centera minimum retention period, and
  • Options to automatically delete the primary Archive File.
A Storage Profile is not required to simply archive data to disk or to certain secondary media devices.However, when referenced by the Archive Request, a Storage Profile governs the storage of Archive Files on secondary media by providing overrides for default segment size values. You can automatically manage Archive Files using a Storage Profile. It allows you to create a duplicate copy of an Archive File, save a secondary copy of the Archive File to a backup device, and provide a date when the primary Archive File is automatically deleted.Generally, an Archive Process generates a single Archive File that is saved to fixed media (for example, a local hard drive or network drive) where it resides indefinitely. Without a Storage Profile, you must manually perform all management of the Archive File (for example, copying, deleting, saving to a backup device).
By default, Archive Files exist for an indefinite period of time until manually deleted. A retention policy allows you to manage the life span of Archive Files by scheduling them for automatic deletion. You must determine the number of days for which the data in an Archive File remains active, and configure the Optim Server to scan Optim Directories for Archive Files with a retention policy.

Lets look at a typical retention policy definition in a storage profile.

PictureIBM Optim Storage Profile Editor - Retention Policy
Use the Retention Policy tab to provide parameters for automatic deletion of the primary copy of the Archive File. A retention policy is effective only for Archive Files that reside on an Optim Server.
A retention policy does not protect Archive Files from manual deletion (for example, by using Windows Explorer or Archive Directory Maintenance). After creating an Archive File, you can postpone or cancel the automatic deletion using the Archive
Directory Information dialog.

Options to automatically delete the primary copy of the Archive File are available in this tab.
Note: Options to delete the primary Archive File do not affect the management of duplicate Archive
Files.
Delete After
Select this check box to automatically delete Archive Files created using the Storage Profile.
Days 
The number of days (1 to 9132) to retain the primary copy of the Archive File.


I will continue to discuss about data retention in the next part of this series.Hope you enjoyed reading this blog and do send me your valuable comments. In case you would want me to blog on something specific to IBM Optim do let me know and I would attempt to include that in my future blogs.

Before signing off on a different topic, One thought that worries me is that as a scientific community we are "inventing patents" rather than "patenting inventions". Companies are increasingly looking at patents as means of defensive mechanism for settling corporate scores rather than making a real change in human life. Well I would talk about this thought in probably more detail in some other post.

Well this is much food for thought for now. Till next time its me Girish, signing off.




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    My name is Girish Sundaram and currently I work as a Senior Technical Solution Architect with IBM Software Lab Services team and travel worldwide to help IBM implement mission critical business solutions for their customers.I've been working at IBM since 2005. OPTIMFood4Thought would serve as a platform for people to learn more about IBM Optim, enterprise data management and related technologies.The views expressed are my own and not necessarily those of IBM and its affiliates. The views and opinions expressed by visitors to this blog are theirs and do not necessarily reflect mine.  Enjoy reading!!

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