Home > Articles

This chapter is from the book

Optimizing Disk Utilization with Remote Storage

Another fault tolerance technique devised in Windows Server 2003 to protect the file system is Remote Storage. When it is installed and configured, Remote Storage has the ability to migrate eligible files from an NTFS volume to a library of magnetic or optical tapes, thus freeing up space on the production server's managed volume. The eligibility is determined in the configuration of Remote Storage based on certain criteria: the percentage of free space on the volume, the size of the files, and a time period over which the files have not been accessed.

When Remote Storage migrates a file or folder, it is replaced on the volume with a file link called a junction point. Junction points take up very little room, which reduces the amount of used disk space but leaves a way for this data to be accessed later in the original location. When a junction point is accessed, it spawns the Remote Storage service to retrieve the file that was migrated to tape.

Not Available on Windows XP or the Standard and Web Editions of Windows Server 2003

Remote Storage functionality is only available in Windows Server 2003 Enterprise and Datacenter editions. It is not available on Windows XP or the standard and Web editions of Windows Server 2003.

The next section explains how Remote Storage is configured and provides best practices for its use.

Configuring Remote Storage

Remote Storage is not installed by default in Windows Server 2003, but is easily added from the install media through the familiar Add/Remove Windows Components section of the Add or Remove Programs applet. Once installed, the administrator must configure the backup device that will be used, allocate backup media, and then configure the settings Remote Storage will use to determine whether files should be migrated to the media.

Remote Storage Supports All SCSI Class 4mm, 8mm, DLT, and Magneto-Optical Devices

Remote Storage supports all SCSI class 4mm, 8mm, DLT, and magneto-optical devices that are supported by Removable Storage. Using Remote Storage with Exabyte 8200 tape libraries is not recommended. Remote Storage does not support QIC tape libraries or rewritable compact disc and DVD formats.

Configuring the Backup Device

Ideally the backup device to be used in conjunction will be a tape library, so that file retrieval from junction points can occur automatically.

To enable a device, follow these steps:

  1. Install the backup device or library on the Windows Server 2003 system. Use the backup device manufacturer's documentation to accomplish this process.

  2. After the backup device is connected, boot up the server and log on using an account with Local Administrator access.

  3. Click Start, All Programs, Administrative Tools, Computer Management.

  4. In the left pane, if it is not already expanded, double-click Computer Management (local).

  5. Click the plus sign next to Storage.

  6. Click the plus sign next to Removable Storage.

  7. Click the plus sign next to Libraries.

  8. Right-click the library (backup device) and select Properties.

  9. On the General tab of the Device Properties page, check the Enable Drive box, and click OK.

Allocating Media for Remote Storage

After the backup device is configured, tape media needs to be allocated for Remote Storage usage. New, unused media inserted into the device is placed in the free media pool. Previously used media will be placed in the import, unrecognized, or backup media pools. Remote Storage uses the Remote Storage media pool, but will look in the free media pool if it does not find available media in Remote Storage.

Specify the Type

Remote Storage can support only a single tape or disk type for use as Remote Storage. Specify the type during the Remote Storage Setup Wizard process.

To inventory a backup device and allocate media for Remote Storage, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the desired device, as outlined in the preceding section. Then right-click the device and choose Inventory.

  2. After the device completes the inventory process, select the backup device in the left pane. The media will then be listed in the right pane.

  3. Right-click the media listed in the right pane and select Properties.

  4. On the Media tab of the Media Properties page, note the media pool membership in the Location section. Figure 22.6 shows media that are part of the Import\DLT media pool.

  5. Figure 22.6Figure 22.6 Removable media in the Import\DLT media pool.







  6. Click Cancel to close the Media Properties page.

Configuring Remote Storage Settings

After the backup device and media are properly configured and allocated, a volume can be managed by configuring Remote Storage settings. To configure a managed volume, follow these steps:

  1. Click Start, All Programs, Administrative Tools, Remote Storage.

  2. If this is the first time the Remote Storage console has been opened or no volumes on the server have been configured for Remote Storage management, the Remote Storage Wizard will begin. Click Next on the Welcome screen to continue.

  3. On the Volume Management page, choose whether to manage all volumes or manage only selected volumes by selecting the appropriate radio button. In this example, select Manage Selected Volumes, and click Next.

  4. Select the volume to manage and click Next.

  5. On the Volume Settings page, enter the amount of free space for the managed volume.

  6. On the same page, configure the minimum file size before it will be migrated by Remote Storage; then configure the number of days a file must remain unaccessed before Remote Storage will make it a possible candidate for migration, and then click Next.

  7. Figure 22.7 shows a volume setting that will migrate data to Remote Storage when a volume has 10% free space remaining, and the file that will be migrated must be larger than 12KB and must remain unaccessed for 120 days.

  8. Figure 22.7Figure 22.7 Setting typical Remote Storage volume settings.







  9. On the Media Type page, choose the media type associated with the backup device enabled for Remote Storage to use. Choose a media type from the Media Types pull-down menu.

  10. On the next page, you can configure a schedule to perform the file copy. The default is to run at 2 a.m. seven days a week. Click the Change Schedule button to configure a custom schedule or click Next to accept the default schedule.

  11. Click Finish on the Completing the Remote Storage Wizard page to complete the process.

Using Remote Storage

Remote Storage is a powerful new feature of Windows Server 2003, but if used improperly it can make an administrator's job more difficult. When setting up a Remote Storage to provide volume-level fault tolerance, keep the following best practices in mind:

  • Continue to perform backups. Remote Storage is not a replacement for running normal scheduled backups. It is also important to provide fault tolerance to Remote Storage itself by backing up the Remote Storage database. It is also a good practice to schedule Remote Storage migration activity to occur at a different time than normal scheduled backups, especially if both rely on the same backup tape library.

  • Set antivirus software to scan files only on access. If antivirus programs are scanning volumes managed by Remote Storage on a regular schedule, any data previously migrated by Remote Storage might be requested and be migrated back to disk.

  • Do not enable Remote Storage on DFS targets configured for replication. If a new target is added to a replicating DFS link, the entire contents of that DFS target folder will be read by the File Replication Service (FRS). This read operation is necessary to generate the staging files in preparation for synchronizing the target data, which again would cause migrated files to be restored back to the volume.

  • Validate Remote Storage functionality. It is important to schedule validation of managed volumes on a regular basis. Validation ensures that all files on managed volumes point to the correct data in Remote Storage.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020