Near to online Storage: Nearline Storage

It is an oldest form of storage is any medium that is used to copy and store data from the hard drive to a source that is easily retrieved
The word "nearline" is a contraction of near-online and the term used in computer science to describe an intermediate type of data storage that represents a compromise between online storage (supporting frequent, very rapid access to data) and offline storage/archiving (used for backups or long-term storage, with infrequent access to data).
Nearline storage has many of the same features, performance, and device requirements as online storage. However, nearline storage is deployed for backup support for online storage. Demand for nearline storage is growing rapidly because more information must be archived for regulatory reasons. Nearline storage is commonly used for data backup because it can backed up large volumes of data quickly , which sometimes cannot be achieved with slower bandwidth rates to tape-based solutions. Nearline storage is built using less expensive disk drives such as SATA drives to store information that must be accessed more quickly than is possible through tape or tape libraries.
Both archiving (offline) and nearline allow a reduction of database size that results in improved speed of performance for the online system. However, accessing archived data is more complex and/or slower than is the case with nearline storage, and can also negatively affect the performance of the main database, particularly when the archive data must be reloaded into that database.
There are three major categories of near-line storage: magnetic disk, magnetic tape, and compact disc (CD). Magnetic disks include 3.5-inch diskettes, and various removable media such as the Iomega Zip disk and the Syquest disk. Tapes are available in almost limitless variety. Examples of media in the CD category are CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewriteable (CD-RW), and digital versatile disc rewriteable (DVD-RW).
Near-line storage provides inexpensive, reliable, and unlimited data backup and archiving with somewhat less accessability than with integrated online storage. For individuals and small companies, it can be an ideal solution if the user is willing to tolerate some time delay when storing or retrieving data. Near-line storage media are immune to infection by online viruses, Trojan horses, and worms because the media are physically disconnected from networks, computers, servers, and the Internet. When a near-line storage medium is being employed to recover data, it can be write-protected to prevent infection. But it is suggested that near-line storage media always be scanned with an anti-virus program before use.
The capacity and efficiency of near-line storage options has improved greatly over the years. Magnetic tape is one of the oldest formats still in use. The tape is available in formats that work with a wide range of large systems and are frequently used to create backup files for corporations on a daily basis. The tapes are easily stored and can be used to reload the most recently saved information in the event of a system failure. Magnetic tapes also function as an excellent electronic history, making it possible to research when a given bit of data was entered into the system.
The second type of near-line storage is the magnetic disk. Developed for use with personal computers, but now considered obsolete in many quarters, as well as disks developed for specific purposes such as storing a large quantity of zipped files. Since the early 21st century, most desktop and laptop computers have discontinued the installation of a magnetic disk drive, although mainframes sometimes still make use of some type of magnetic disk.
As the most recent innovation in removable storage options, the CD provides a lot of storage in a small space. The CD encompasses different formats for different file saving activity. The CDR or CD recordable makes it possible to copy a wide range of text and similar type documents. The CD rewritable or CD-RW makes it possible to easily load data onto the disk and also to load the data to another system with ease. The digital versatile disc rewritable or DVD-RW allows the copying of all types of media, including video.
One of the advantages of near-line storage is that these devices offer a means of protecting data from harm. This includes keeping the data free from viruses or bugs that may infect the hard drive at some point. While the hard drive may become corrupted and damage files loaded on the drive, data housed on near-line storage devices remains unaffected and can be used to reload the hard drive once the system is cleansed of any type of malware. Another benefit of near-line storage is the fact that this storage option is extremely inexpensive. Individuals and small companies find that utilizing these simple data storage devices provides a great deal of security and peace of mind without requiring any type of ongoing expense. Once the device is purchased and the storage of data is complete, the information can be filed in a cabinet or a drawer and restored when and as needed.
In the event that a near-line storage device is used frequently to load and unload data, it is a good idea to scan the disk or tape with some type of antivirus software before commencing the activity. There is always the slight possibility that the medium became infected when used last. Scanning and removing any viruses or other potentially damaging files will ensure the virus does not have the chance to proliferate to other systems in the network.
Near-line storage is the on-site storage of data on removable media. The removable storage idea dates back to the mainframe computer and, in the age of the smaller computer, remains popular among individuals, small businesses, and the large enterprise.