I just picked a number. Five years sounded about right as a compromise between cost and risk of data loss.
For truly precious data, then I would think about replacing the media more often. Of course, I would have more than one copy to replace. But I have never had the requirement. Seven years is a tradition in some industries but I have never heard of any serious repercussions when (not if) data is lost. I think it noteworthy that very few seem to have implemented any media rotation process. It must not be a big deal. -----Original Message----- From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of R.S. Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 9:13 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Tape Retention - Permanent BTW: Why do you suggest 5 years period ? Most vendors provide much longer lifecycles for their media, and the drives able to read the media are available for longer time as well. For example Sony AIT is able (according to Sony specifications) to keep data for 25+ years. Data written in MAGSTAR drive (1 years ago) are still readable using last MAGSTAR, AFAIK there's no EOS date yet. Last but not least: virtual tapes. You can keep them for years. <vbg> As well as drives. You migrate both drives and media to newer (physical) devices. My $0.02 -- Radoslaw Skorupka Lodz, Poland Hal Merritt wrote: > As a practical matter, there is no 'permanent' tape retention. For one, > the media ages and becomes unreliable. Secondly, the devices needed to > read/write the data eventually wear out and are replaced with newer > technology. > > For permanent *data* retention, you might consider a five year cycle. > > -----Original Message----- > From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On > Behalf Of esmie moo > Sent: Monday, November 27, 2006 6:52 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Tape Retention - Permanent > > I would like to keep some tapes for ever - permanently. Prior to the > Y2K era, I used the parm :RETPD=99365. Is this still applicable? > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html NOTICE: This electronic mail message and any files transmitted with it are intended exclusively for the individual or entity to which it is addressed. The message, together with any attachment, may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, printing, saving, copying, disclosure or distribution is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please immediately advise the sender by reply email and delete all copies. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
