Tools for using your enterprise data storage resources more efficiently

Efficiency technology	What it does	How you save
Archiving	Moves older data out of production data stores	Frees expensive primary disk space Back up less data Speeds applications
Compression and data deduplication	Reduces amount of data stored on disk	Redundant files eliminated Individual files take up less space Only unique data is stored Backups require much less disk space
Thin provisioning	Let's you "oversubscribe" your installed disk capacity	Avoids wasteful unused space in allocated volumes Pools available installed capacity so that it's used more efficiently with higher utilization rates Delays new disk purchases
Tiered storage	Moves less valuable data to cheaper, lower performance disk	Takes less-demanding apps' data off primary storage to avoid/delay buying more tier 1 disk Preserves high-performance storage for apps that require it Reduces backups by not backing up static data as frequently
Wide striping	Spreads data out across more disks	Gets better performance out of inexpensive disks Avoids or delays buying expensive higher performance disk storage

This article originally appeared in Storage magazine.

Rate this Tip To rate tips, you must be a member of SearchStorage.com. Register now to start rating these tips. Log in if you are already a member. BROWSE BY TAG Data Storage Management,   Primary storage capacity optimization,   Data management tools,   SAN/NAS Update,   VIEW ALL TAGS Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us    RELATED CONTENT Primary storage capacity optimization Optimizing enterprise data storage capacity and performance to reduce your data footprint Thin provisioning brings utilization and capacity benefits to data storage, but with a caveat Improving storage utilization with thin provisioning Managing capacity planning with thin provisioning Is data deduplication right for your primary storage infrastructure? 3PAR fattens its thin provisioning arsenal Storage virtualization essentials: Increasing flexibility and utilization with virtualization How to select a storage resource management (SRM) tool The expanding tiered storage model Maximizing your enterprise data storage capacity: Improve efficiency and utilization Data management tools School district maintains uptime with Xiotech, DataCore Enterprise data storage technologies rise from the dead SAN sales boosted by need for storage efficiency Thin provisioning brings utilization and capacity benefits to data storage, but with a caveat Improving storage utilization with thin provisioning Managing capacity planning with thin provisioning Improved enterprise storage management tools are needed, especially for data backup Enterprise data storage capacity management tools still found lacking Enterprise data storage performance monitoring goes beyond storage arrays Storage configuration needs go beyond SRM tools Data management tools Research SAN/NAS Update Factors to consider when implementing Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) Network-attached storage clusters for virtualized environments Storage-area networks to become increasingly object based Reducing storage network complexity with FCoE Clustered storage essentials: What to ask your vendor The value of easy-to-use SAN storage SAN storage consolidation checklist Pros and cons of using NAS NFS with VMware A case for 8 GB Fibre Channel Wide stripe before you dive into SSD RELATED GLOSSARY TERMS Terms from Whatis.com − the technology online dictionary application-aware storage  (SearchStorage.com) capacity optimization  (SearchStorage.com) compression artifact  (SearchStorage.com) data classification  (SearchDataManagement.com) data deduplication  (SearchStorage.com) depository  (SearchStorage.com) storage consolidation  (SearchStorage.com) storage provisioning  (SearchStorage.com) storage resource management (SRM)  (SearchStorage.com) wide-area file services  (SearchStorage.com) RELATED RESOURCES 2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary DISCLAIMER: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.