[ale] [OT] Lifespan of Storage Devices

[Michael Trausch]

I have found BD-R to be very nice. Why do you think it is broken?

I use it for archives, at the moment, and I re verify every year. With CD
and DVD media I would reburn every three years. Will likely continue that
habit with BD-R.

Also am planning to add error correcting codes to my archival process so
that large chunks can be destroyed without affecting recovery. Don't want
to have to use the ecc, but I want it there all the same. Would really like
to see something that implements a high-efficiency erasure code for block
devices at the device mapper layer...
On Jul 28, 2012 2:19 PM, "JD" <jdp at algoloma.com> wrote:

> On 07/28/2012 12:59 PM, Andrew Wade wrote:
> > I am working on archiving some of my pictures/videos/etc. through the
> years.
> > I'm trying to decide on what storage media would be best for this.
> >
> > The main consensus that I've seen on the internet is that the optical
> disc
> > (Dvd-DL) is still going to be the winner.  The problem is that once you
> get a
> > scratch on it, you may not be able to access that 1MB picture.   I've
> had this
> > happen before.
> >
> > What do you all think about the following mediums for 10+ year  (and the
> tech
> > format itself still being around - like zip disk, etc.)
> >
> > SDHC/XD  Memory Cards  (Fat32)
> > Optical Disk (DVD +-R, CD, DVD-DL)
> > Hard Drive (Put in storage; has to be in a filesystem that supports >4GB
> for
> > individual files)
> > USB Flash Drive(s) (Fat 32)
> >
> > and any others.
>
> The total amount and  average file sizes of the data involved matters a
> bunch.
>
> I don't expect any media to be around 10 yrs from now and there's pretty
> much
> zero chance that anything I put on media of any type today will be alive
> AND
> TRUSTED in 10 yrs.  Do you still trust those SCSI2 or IDE drives from
> 2002? I don't.
>
> For important data, I need
> * 3 copies
> * in at least 2 different physical locations over 500 miles apart,
> * on at least 2 different media types
> * that are all verified periodically to ensure no data rot.  Usually once
> a year
> is enough.
>
> For really critical data, keep a local backup, a remote backup 3 states
> away and
> local optical backup with par2 files to watch for bitrot.  At the first
> sign of
> bitrot on any of the media, I assume they will all fail shortly and switch
> in
> new media. Reburning a fresh optical disk with new par2 files finishes out
> this
> safety net.  There are probably more copies of this critical data around,
> but I
> only maintain 3.  These are backups, not the hot-copy used daily. If I were
> backing up DVDs or Bluray media, the original media disks would never be
> touched
> by anyone after the backup copies were made the same day the new media
> arrived.
>
> The availability of par2 files has saved some important family photos and
> home
> movies about 5 times the last 10 yrs.  dd_rescue (or the other version) is
> not
> enough.
>
> For really, really important data that doesn't eat tons of storage, like
> the
> different KeePassX databases, I store them in at least 6 locations and 4
> media
> types - flash, hdd, remote hdd, and optical with par2 files.  The optical
> does
> become out of date for a few passwords, but when you have hundreds, that
> isn't
> too important.
>
> Obviously and sensitive critical files are encrypted with long, random,
> pass
> phrases that I don't know.  The same for backups to any portable devices -
> truecrypt volumes rock.
>
> For 20+ TB, I'd probably use tape instead of optical or perhaps that total
> amount needs to be raised to 50TB? Bluray could be cost effective if the
> media
> costs work out and enough writers and readers were available in the
> business.
> >From a personal use standpoint, I think Bluray is broken, so I don't have
> any in
> the house. Eventually, I might install a few writers should the media
> become
> cost effective and convenient when compared to DVD-DL - it has been really
> close
> on the cost side, but the convenience is still an issue for me.
> Considering I
> purchased 2 DVD-DL writers in 2012, I have doubts bluray will be used
> anytime
> soon here. I'm stubborn that way, sometimes to my own detriment.
>
> We all know that RAID is not a backup, since having 2+ copies of corrupted
> data
> doesn't help anyone with a restore. ;)
>
> I can't wait to read what others are doing for this problem.
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