Demystifying Traditional Data Storage Methods

Data storage refers to the methods and technologies used to record, preserve, and retrieve digital information. Over the decades, the mechanisms and media for data storage have undergone a transformative journey, shifting from the physical and tangible to the virtual and cloud-based, reflecting broader changes in technology and societal needs.

The evolution of data storage is a tale of constant innovation, marked by milestones from the rudimentary punch cards and magnetic tapes of the early computing era to the sophisticated solid-state drives and cloud-based solutions that dominate the world today. Each generation of storage technology has sought to address the growing demands for capacity, speed, reliability, and accessibility, driven by the exponential increase in data generation and consumption.

Modern storage solutions like cloud storage, network-attached storage (NAS), and object storage have taken center stage, offering scalable, flexible, and cost-effective alternatives to traditional storage methods. These modern approaches leverage the power of the internet and distributed computing to provide on-demand access to data from anywhere in the world, representing a significant shift from the physical limitations and locality of traditional storage.

Despite the allure of modern storage solutions, traditional data storage methods including encompassing magnetic, optical, and early solid-state technologies, remain relevant and widely used in various contexts. These traditional methods offer distinct advantages in terms of data security, and specific performance metrics, making them indispensable in some scenarios and industries.

Understanding Traditional Data Storage

data-storage-safe

Traditional data storage describes a variety of physical media used to store digital information. Unlike modern cloud-based solutions that store data in virtualised environments, traditional storage relies on physical devices and media that must be manually managed and maintained. Traditional data storage methods include:

Types of Traditional Data Storage

  1. Magnetic Storage (Hard Drives, Tape Drives)

Magnetic storage devices store data by magnetising particles on a disk or tape surface. Hard drives (HDDs) and tape drives are common examples:

  1. Optical Storage (CDs, DVDs)

Optical storage devices use lasers to read and write data on discs made of polycarbonate plastic, coated with a reflective layer. CDs (Compact Discs) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs) are the most prevalent forms:

  1. Solid-State Storage (Early SSDs, Flash Drives)

Solid-state storage represents a shift from moving mechanical parts to electronic data storage. Early SSDs (Solid-State Drives) and flash drives store data on flash memory chips:

Despite the advancements in cloud and networked storage technologies, traditional data storage methods remain vital in numerous scenarios, from high-security environments requiring physical data control to applications where rapid local access to data is crucial. Understanding these technologies and their characteristics helps in making informed decisions about storage solutions that best meet specific needs and constraints.

How Data Storage Has Evolved

evolution-of-data-storage
Credit: YEAP!

The history of data storage is a fascinating journey through time, showcasing human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of better, faster, and more efficient ways to preserve information. From the humble beginnings of manual data recording to the sophisticated digital solutions of today, each advancement in storage technology has been a response to the growing demands of data creation and consumption.

From Punch Cards to Magnetic Tape

The story of data storage begins with punch cards, used in the early 18th century for controlling textile looms. However, their significance in data storage was realised in the 19th century when Herman Hollerith developed a punch card system to process the 1890 U.S. Census data. This system dramatically reduced processing time from years to months, demonstrating the potential of mechanical data storage.

The next significant leap was the development of magnetic tape in the 1950s. Inspired by magnetic audio recording, magnetic tape allowed for much greater data density and faster access times than punch cards. Its portability and reusability made it a mainstay for data backup, archival, and even primary storage in the early days of computing.

Magnetic Disks: The Era of Hard Drives

The invention of the hard disk drive (HDD) in 1956 by IBM marked a pivotal moment in data storage, introducing random access storage and significantly increasing storage capacity and speed. The first HDD, the IBM 305 RAMAC, could store 5 million characters (about 5MB) and was the size of two refrigerators. This innovation laid the groundwork for the development of smaller, more efficient drives, leading to the widespread adoption of HDDs in both personal and enterprise computing environments.

Optical Storage: CDs and DVDs

As the digital age dawned, the need for higher-capacity, portable storage led to the development of optical storage technologies, such as CDs and DVDs, in the late 20th century. These media could store vast amounts of data compared to magnetic tapes and disks, with the added advantage of being immune to magnetic fields and environmental damage. CDs and DVDs became popular for distributing software, music, movies, and for personal data storage due to their durability and capacity.

Solid-State Drives: A Leap into the Future

The introduction of solid-state drives (SSDs) in the 21st century represented a significant technological leap. By storing data on flash memory chips rather than magnetic or optical media, SSDs offered faster data access times, lower power consumption, and greater durability. Despite their higher cost, SSDs have become increasingly popular for both consumer and enterprise applications, offering a glimpse into the future of data storage.

Comparing Past and Present

Each of these storage methods was revolutionary in its time, addressing the specific needs and technological limitations of the era. Punch cards offered a way to automate and speed up data processing; magnetic tape and HDDs increased storage capacity and access speed; optical media improved portability and durability; and SSDs have pushed the boundaries of speed and efficiency.

Today's requirements for data storage are built around the need for immense capacity, lightning-fast access speeds, and the flexibility to access data from anywhere. While cloud storage and advanced SSDs meet many of these demands, the legacy of traditional storage methods remains embedded in the fabric of current technologies. Their evolution reflects broader progress, with each innovation building on the last to create complex, interconnected modern data storage.

Advantages of Traditional Data Storage

data-storage-methods-traditional-boxer

Cloud-based solutions often dominate the conversation around data storage, but traditional data storage methods continue to offer distinct advantages for businesses. These benefits are not merely relics of past practices but are highly relevant in addressing specific operational, financial, and security considerations in today's business environments. This section explores the enduring advantages of traditional storage methods that remain in use, such as magnetic storage (HDDs, tape drives) and solid-state drives (SSDs), focusing on cost implications, data sovereignty and security, and performance considerations for specific applications.

Cost Implications for Businesses

Data Sovereignty and Security

Performance Considerations for Specific Applications

While cloud-based storage solutions have become popular for their scalability and convenience, traditional data storage methods retain significant advantages for businesses. The choice between traditional and cloud storage should be guided by a comprehensive assessment of a business's specific needs, regulatory requirements, performance demands, and cost considerations. For many organisations, the optimal solution may involve a hybrid approach, leveraging the strengths of both traditional and cloud storage to achieve a balanced, efficient, and secure data storage strategy.

Traditional Data Storage Challenges

While traditional data storage methods offer significant advantages in terms of cost, data sovereignty, and performance for specific applications, they are not without their challenges. As businesses navigate the complex landscape of data management, understanding the limitations of traditional storage is crucial for making informed decisions. This section delves into the primary challenges associated with traditional data storage methods that are still in use today, such as magnetic storage (HDDs, tape drives) and solid-state drives (SSDs), focusing on scalability, maintenance and reliability, and the implications of energy consumption and physical space requirements.

Scalability Issues as Data Volumes Grow

Maintenance and Reliability Concerns

Energy Consumption and Physical Space Requirements

The challenges associated with traditional data storage underscore the importance of a strategic approach to data management. Businesses must weigh the benefits of cost, control, and performance against the challenges of scalability, maintenance, and operational efficiency. As the digital economy continues to evolve, and data becomes increasingly central to business operations, finding the right balance between traditional and modern storage solutions will be key to navigating these challenges effectively. For many, this may involve adopting hybrid models that leverage the strengths of both worlds, ensuring that data storage strategies are not only robust and secure but also adaptable and scalable.

Traditional vs. Cloud Storage

In the quest to optimise data storage strategies, businesses often weigh the merits of traditional storage methods against the capabilities of cloud storage solutions. This comparative analysis delves into five key parameters: cost, scalability, security, performance, and ease of management, providing insights into how traditional and cloud storage stack up against each other. Additionally, we'll explore specific use cases where traditional storage might still hold an advantage over cloud solutions.

Traditional StorageCloud Storage
Cost- Higher upfront investment in physical hardware.
- Potentially lower long-term costs for stable storage needs.
- Lower upfront costs with subscription-based pricing.
- Costs can scale with usage, potentially higher for extensive data storage needs.
Scalability- Limited by physical capacity; requires additional hardware for expansion.- Highly scalable; resources can be adjusted dynamically to meet demand.
Security- High level of physical control and security over data.
- Data sovereignty is easier to manage.
- Robust security measures in place, but concerns over data breaches and privacy.
- Compliance with data sovereignty laws depends on provider's data center locations.
Performance- Fast access speeds in local networks without dependence on internet connectivity.
- Predictable performance for specific applications.
- Performance can be influenced by internet speed and connectivity.
- Potentially variable performance due to shared resources.
Ease of Management- Requires manual management and maintenance of physical hardware.- Outsourced infrastructure management; less hands-on maintenance required.

Modern Use Cases for Traditional Storage

  1. Regulated Industries: In sectors where data sovereignty and security are paramount (e.g., finance, healthcare, government), traditional storage offers the physical control necessary to comply with strict regulatory requirements.
  2. High-Performance Applications: For applications requiring high-speed access to large volumes of data without latency (e.g., video editing, real-time analytics), local traditional storage solutions like SSDs and HDDs in closed networks can offer superior performance.
  3. Limited Internet Connectivity: In areas with unreliable internet access, traditional storage ensures that data access and business operations are not impacted by connectivity issues.
  4. Long-Term Archival: For long-term data archival where accessibility is less of a priority than preservation, traditional storage methods like tape drives offer a cost-effective solution with stable long-term storage conditions.

While cloud storage provides scalable, flexible, and maintenance-free storage solutions, traditional storage methods remain relevant and superior in specific contexts. The choice between traditional and cloud storage should be informed by a detailed assessment of an organisation's specific needs, regulatory environment, performance requirements, and cost considerations. A hybrid approach, leveraging the strengths of both traditional and cloud storage, often represents the most balanced and effective strategy for modern data management needs.

The Future of Data Storage

DNA-data-storage-methods
Credit: Kilobaser

We are approaching a new era in data storage technology. Emerging trends and technologies, such as holographic storage and DNA storage, pose a future where the limitations of current storage methods could be transcended, offering unparalleled capacities and durability.

Emerging Data Storage Technology

  1. Holographic Storage: Holographic storage is a cutting-edge technology that records and reads data in three dimensions, significantly increasing storage density. By using light patterns to store data on photosensitive materials, holographic storage can potentially hold terabytes of data in a square inch, far surpassing the capabilities of traditional magnetic and optical storage. Its development could revolutionise data storage, offering massive capacities with fast access times.
  2. DNA Storage: DNA storage represents a paradigm shift, utilising the biological molecules of DNA to encode data. This method offers an almost inconceivable density, with the potential to store exabytes of data in a mere gram of DNA, along with longevity measured in thousands of years. While still in the experimental phase, DNA storage could ultimately provide a solution for the long-term archival of humanity's collective knowledge.

How Traditional Storage Can Still Yet Evolve

  1. Integration with Next-Generation Technologies: Traditional storage methods like HDDs and SSDs are likely to evolve by integrating with emerging technologies. For example, SSDs could see improvements in storage density and durability by adopting materials and techniques developed for holographic or DNA storage.
  2. Enhanced Performance and Efficiency: Future iterations of traditional storage technologies will likely focus on enhancing performance and reducing energy consumption. Advances in materials science and engineering could lead to more efficient data retrieval methods and storage mediums that are faster, more reliable, and consume less power.
  3. Hybrid Storage Solutions: As data storage needs become increasingly complex, we may see a rise in hybrid storage solutions that combine the strengths of traditional and next-generation technologies. For example, a hybrid system could use SSDs for fast access to active data, holographic storage for high-density archival, and DNA storage for ultra-long-term data preservation.
  4. Adaptation to New Computing Tech: Traditional storage methods will need to adapt to new computing technologies, such as quantum computing. This adaptation could involve developing storage media that can efficiently interface with quantum computers, ensuring that data storage does not become a bottleneck in computational speed and efficiency.

Out With The Old?

Not just yet. Despite the rapid advancements in technology that have ushered in the era of cloud storage, the relevance of traditional data storage methods persists, underscoring their indispensable role in specific industries and businesses. This enduring significance is not just a head-nod to the past but a reflection of the nuanced requirements of data storage that vary across industries, applications, and operational frameworks.

Traditional storage methods, including magnetic storage (HDDs, tape drives) and solid-state drives (SSDs), offer distinct advantages such as cost-effectiveness in long-term archival scenarios, superior performance in high-speed access environments, enhanced security for sensitive data, and unparalleled data sovereignty. These benefits remain critical for businesses operating in sectors where regulatory compliance, data privacy, and operational autonomy are paramount. Furthermore, in scenarios characterised by limited internet connectivity or the need for rapid data access within closed networks, traditional storage solutions stand unmatched.

Understanding the intricacies of traditional data storage is crucial for making informed decisions in a time where the temptation to leap towards the latest technology can overlook the specific needs of a business. The choice between traditional and cloud storage should not be seen as a binary one but rather as a strategic decision that considers a spectrum of factors including cost, scalability, security, performance, and management ease. For many organisations, a hybrid approach that marries the scalability and flexibility of cloud storage with the reliability and control of traditional methods offers a balanced path forward.

As we look towards the future, the evolution of traditional storage methods and their integration into next-generation solutions will continue to be shaped by emerging trends and technologies. This evolution will not render traditional storage obsolete but will instead redefine its role within the broader ecosystem of data storage solutions. The journey of data storage is one of continuous adaptation, where understanding the foundations of traditional methods enriches our capacity to navigate the future.

Ruckus Cloud - Our Review

An overview of Ruckus Cloud, by Mark Bartley - CTO

With the exception of holiday makers, everybody loves a cloud. It is impossible to ignore the consistent march towards cloud based infrastructure across the IT industry and within WiFi vendors in particular. Ruckus resisted the allure of Cloud management for many years but in 2016 they decided to get in on the action. Since then, the solution has evolved and developed and I want to give you an insight into what’s hot and what’s not about it currently.

First off - it’s simple to set up.  I’ve configured Cloud based solutions from Aruba through to Zyxel and can honestly say the initial setup up of the Ruckus Cloud is one of, if not, the easiest. Click emailed activation link, enter venue details, setup SSID, enter serial number to add an AP - job done! On the subject of simplicity, the user interface is one of the more intuitive and straightforward. As you can see from the screen shot below, rather than a plethora of menu options with sub menus, hiding more menus, it’s been kept clean and easy. You want to see details of a Network, click Networks and you get details for the Network; Patronising to explain it I know, but it’s amazing how many vendors have complicated this simple concept.

Ruckus Cloud

Ruckus have been smart here in that all of these menu items interlink. You can click on venues, see the AP’s that are within the venue and drill down into the AP specific config, a simple but clever move compared to some vendors UI’s where you endlessly have to click between different menu sections to actually get to the point- ideal for speeding up tasks and navigation.

Whilst it’s great to have a simple UI but i’m not a simple Guy- I want to be able to manage an enterprise level network with a lot of customisation to suit my needs.  The good news is, the vast bulk of authentication options you’re ever likely to need, are available:

Ruckus Cloud - Dashboard

In a small but neat touch, they’ve included the actual process for each authentication method in the graphic that appears when you select the option you prefer

Ruckus Cloud - Auth

I’m going to gloss over most of these methods as they are industry standard, though special mentions to Dynamic Pre-Shared Key (DPSK) which is vastly underused for a simple but effective auth method, and the captive portal options;

Ruckus Cloud - Portal

As you can see, you’ve got pretty much all bases covered here from the simple click through to WISPr. To be clear, I’m not advocating that you see the “Self Sign In” option and go  “Great, no need for a data capture overlay, I’ll get all the user data I want for marketing from this” as put simply, it’s not that. Whilst allowing self registration (to avoid the minefield of GDPR compliance) it does not act as a CRM or capture visitor data. I’m a big fan of Host Approval, a quick and easy way of allowing your internal users to self service guests access reducing IT teams time spent on guest management, just be aware though anyone on your domain can approve guest requests if you go down this route.

Events, as you’d expect, gives you a comprehensive  overview of what's been happening, I’m yet to get to the bottom of how far back the log will go but over 12,000 events at least, to give an indication on a 2 AP test network that’s tweaked constantly, the logs go back 3 months. Thankfully it’s fully searchable & can be filtered so you don’t need to scroll back through hundreds of lines to find what you are after.

Analytics are pretty good for an included piece. It’s never going to be as granular as a designated network analytics solution but it serves a purpose and  provides some suitably pretty graphics to wave at interested (or disinterested!) colleagues, as well as being handy for picking up that your BYOD network is purely being used for YouTube & Facebook purposes...

So far so glowing, right? Panic not - there is some brutal honesty ahead. Ruckus Cloud is not as feature-rich or as suitable for complex environments as their SmartOS management platform.  

The troubleshooting functionality on the SmartOS (virtual & physical SmartZones) is far superior, particularly when identifying the root cause of niggly RADIUS issues.  Also, the level of RF information provided from the Cloud platform is to be frank limited -to the extent of practically non-existent. Cloud does not support dynamic VLAN allocation, or  white listing/black listing of IP and MAC addresses. In short whilst it is good, it’s not at the same level as the SmartOS offering. Ultimately these functions are quite niche and many of you reading this would say ”So what, I don’t need these features?” in which case Ruckus cloud might well be the one for you.  

Unlike some vendors, who I won’t publicly shame (they know who they are…) Ruckus have always taken a sensible approach to AP’s and swapping between management platforms, which means you can keep the same AP’s but switch between ZoneDirector, Unleashed, SmartOS and Cloud. This level of flexibility is ideal if your needs are evolving as your organisation changes and the demands on the network increase.

The Ruckus Cloud App deserves a mention. Available on both IOS and Android, it gives an almost full remote management and monitoring experience from your smartphone. One function that is well worth using, especially when rolling out a lot of AP’s, is the ability to scan AP’s using your devices camera to onboard them- a lot quicker than typing out 12 digit serial numbers repeatedly!

Sometimes the ongoing management, troubleshooting and configuration of your WiFi can be a bridge too far when juggling a plethora of plates and trying to provide more with less resource. As such we offer a fully managed Ruckus Cloud service where we monitor, maintain and manage the network for you on a pay monthly basis, feel Feel free to get in touch to find out more.

If you’ve read this far, then hopefully you’ve found this blog useful  Rather than just taking my word for it though - if you’d like to get hands on with Ruckus Cloud, and get a Ruckus AP for free, then follow this link and we can get the ball rolling with  your free Ruckus trial.

We’ve worked with some incredible customers deploying Ruckus technology - have a read here

Five signs you need cloud WiFi

Everyone needs WiFi to keep their devices online and connected to the web. Unfortunately, once you evolve beyond a residential application the resources needed to manage such a network for a company become quite large.

However, if you are struggling to keep up with the growing demands of your employees and customers for your network then a cloud solution could save the day. Here are five signs that you might need cloud WiFi.

1. Your network is painfully slow

Does your network behave more like the tortoise than the hare? While it can be hard to get decent speeds using hardware solutions, a cloud solution offers lightning-fast connections for your employees and customers.

2. You are not able to handle security procedures properly

Leaving your WiFi network open can cause huge problems quickly. Some of which might even bring legal consequences if somebody does something unsavory using your connection. With a managed cloud WiFi solution none of that is your problem, because you have your own security team taking care of everything.

3. Your current solution is getting too expensive

Using a cloud-based network means less money is needed to invest in hardware or labor to manage the network. That makes cloud solutions cost effective and easy on your budget.

4. You’re unable to scale your current solution

Hardware has limitations, and you may find that your current network is being held back by what you can provide. A cloud solution has no limitations and it can scale as your business grows. It’s incredibly flexible and your employees can access and share files through a variety of devices.

5. Your current solution is too difficult to manage

Are you having a hard time keeping up with your users and what they’re doing? A fully managed cloud WiFi solution allows you to have total visibility and complete control over your network.

However, you can offload the heavy lifting to someone else and cut your IT budget needs, because cloud solutions are managed by their own on-site professionals.

In closing, a cloud WLAN and WiFi solution is a great way to reduce costs for your business and to provide a more reliable network. This allows you to stop worrying about IT issues and spend your time focusing on what really matters.

Interested in implementing a cloud-based WLAN and WiFi system? Contact us today to get free advice from one of our consultants and learn what steps you should take next.

An Essential Guide to Cloud WiFi

Cloud WiFi has been increasingly gaining traction as many enterprises transition from traditional on-premises controllers. Before purchasing Cloud WiFi services, it’s important to consider several factors that directly affect your business.

Between all the marketing campaigns in this highly competitive market, it can be difficult to understand the technical terminology. This essential guide to cloud WiFi breaks down everything you need to know when selecting a cloud WiFi product for your business.

Why Purchase Cloud WiFi?

Cloud WiFi is greatly beneficial for geographically dispersed organisations as it allows control of the entire wireless network from a single interface. It’s easy to set up and offers great flexibility.

Things I need to know about Cloud WiFi

Exploring these considerations shall be unique to your enterprise. It’s crucial to select one that best meets your business requirements.

The Location of Cloud WiFi

Where the cloud WiFi shall be physically placed can highly affect the connectivity. Most enterprise-class WiFi hardware can handle office environments with minor physical obstructions, like cubicles and drywall, but issues may arise in larger facilities.

Additional hardware and software features are often required when operating cloud WiFi in manufacturing plants, outdoor spaces, and retail outlets.

Application and Cloud Data Storage

Another crucial factor to consider is  knowing where the application and cloud data is stored. It’s ideal to select a cloud WiFi provider that offers 100% survivability, so users can continue to access locally operated applications until the connection is restored.

For critical locations where a majority of applications are served off-site, WiFi redundancy can be built in to serve as a backup mechanism, protecting against connection failure.

Features and Functionality

Some cloud WiFi services release beta features to get ahead, whilst others wait until the new features and functionalities are fully polished. The deployment shall depend on the cloud WiFi vendor’s approach.

Security

Cloud WiFi products tend to have comparable enterprise-grade hardware for client data transport, but not all APs can handle the same capacity.

Businesses with a concern regarding the radio frequency (RF) space security should consider a cloud WiFi product that offers a dedicated radio that manages the RF environment, providing always-on and real-time security monitoring.

Some services offer similar functionality with a dual-radio AP, but that radio must be taken offline to free up for RF management and security.

Visibility and Control

Administrators can use visibility and control to identify and set bandwidth maximums to avoid over usage. They also have the ability to create firewall rules that block access to undesired applications.

Some platforms have different application identification and classification features, such as identifying applications based on identifiers that don’t require looking inside each packet. This is effective, however, it compromises accuracy and flexibility when applying policies to certain applications.

Haptic Networks has over a decade of experience and knowledge delivering IT solutions to Education and Public Sector organisations. Contact us for free advice with one of our consultants on how to implement cloud-based WiFi systems!

What WIFI Management System is Best for Your Business: On-Premises or Cloud-Based WLAN?

Businesses considering WIFI and WLAN deployment have two options to choose from, on-premises WLAN or cloud-based WLAN. Both methods possess traits that could make either one a better choice for specific businesses – depending on operational needs.

Below, we’ll be examining the pros and cons of both WLAN solutions:

The Best Budgetary Fit

When it comes to on-premises WLAN, a company is responsible for every single machination and element involved in software deployment. They are going to be on the hook for the following ongoing costs:

Unfortunately, this means little flexibility with expenses. Even if WIFI and WLAN aren’t abundantly consumed, businesses are still on the hook for a litany of costs.

Conversely, the cost of cloud-based WLAN adjusts along with the amount of usage, without the upkeep expenses.

Keeping Safe and Secure

In the government and banking industries, security is paramount because they are handling hyper-sensitive information.

Traditionally, on-premises WLAN has been the choice for businesses where privacy and security is a top concern, largely due to company control and customisation. However, cloud-based WIFI services are implementing the latest in wireless security infrastructure that continuously adapts to the various threats posed in today’s climate.

Server Reliability and Maintenance

On-premises systems do have the benefit of immediacy when it comes to system checks since everything is managed in-house.

However, there is somewhat of a misconception that since cloud-based services are handled by a third-party, there are extended waiting periods for maintenance and repairs. The truth is, disruptions are rare with cloud-based services and the technology is highly adaptable, leading to prompt recovery times.

How Seamless Are Updates?

When it comes to on-premises WIFI and WLAN upgrades, it’s a clunky, time-consuming process because each and every device has to be updated manually by each respective employee.

With cloud-based WIFI and WLAN, updates are implemented automatically. The process isn’t at all time-consuming and is generally hassle-free.  

The Ease of Scalability

It’s difficult to effectively scale with on-premises WIFI and WLAN. Since it’s catered specifically to one business, there aren’t many integration options. Additionally, server capacity becomes an issue with the implementation of new services because they’re provided in-house.

Comparatively, cloud-based WIFI makes it easy to add or reduce the number of users, integrates seamlessly with other cloud-based offerings, and server capacity doesn’t matter because extra services are offered by the provider.

Want to find out more about implementing cloud-based WLAN and WIFI systems? Contact us today for a free consultation!