Near-line storage is a method of archiving data from a hard drive to an easily retrievable source. There are three common examples: magnetic tape, magnetic disk, and CDs. Near-line storage protects data from harm and is inexpensive. It is important to scan the medium for viruses before use.
Near-line storage is any medium used to copy and archive data from the hard drive to an easily retrievable source. This type of data storage option has been around for decades, starting with the large mainframes or electronic brains of the 1940s and continuing until the advent of the personal computer. Over the years, the capacity and efficiency of near-line storage options have greatly improved.
There are essentially three common examples of near-line archiving. Magnetic tape is one of the oldest formats still in use. Tape comes in formats that work with a variety of large systems and are often used to create backup files for businesses 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 work as an excellent electronic history, allowing you to research when a given bit of data was entered into your system.
The second type of near-line storage is the magnetic disk. Developed for use with personal computers, examples of the magnetic disk include the 3.5-inch floppy disks which are now considered obsolete in many circles, as well as disks developed for specific purposes such as storing large numbers of compressed files. Since the early 21st century, most desktop and laptop computers have discontinued installing a magnetic disk drive, although mainframes still sometimes make use of some type of magnetic disk.
As the latest innovation in removable storage options, the CD offers plenty of storage space in a small space. The CD includes different formats for different file saving tasks. The CDR or recordable CD allows you to copy a wide range of text and documents of similar types. CD-Rewritable or CD-RW allows you to easily load the data to the disc and also load the data to another system with ease. The versatile digital rewritable disc or DVD-RW allows copying of all types of media, including video.
One benefit of near-line storage is that these devices provide a means to protect your data from harm. This includes keeping your data free from viruses or bugs that could infect your hard drive at some point. While the hard drive can become corrupted and damage files loaded onto the drive, the data held on near-line storage devices remains unaffected and can be used to reload the hard drive once the system is cleaned of any type of malware.
Another benefit of near-line storage is the fact that this storage option is extremely inexpensive. Individuals and small businesses find that using these simple data storage devices offer great security and peace of mind without requiring any sort of ongoing expense. Once the device is purchased and data storage is complete, the information can be stored in a locker or drawer and restored as and when needed.
In case a near-line storage device is frequently used to upload and download data, it is a good idea to scan the disk or tape with some kind of antivirus software before starting the task. There is always the slightest chance that the medium was infected when it was last used. Scanning for and removing viruses or other potentially harmful files will ensure that the virus does not have a chance to proliferate to other systems on your network.
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