What Is Multi-Tier Storage System

Multi-tier storage systems are popularly used for the storage and order picking of non-palletized goods, bins, cartons, and other small sized units that need to be stored in bulk. The vertical space and storage volume of a premise is well utilized in this system. It is even possible to utilize the full height of the storage house up until the ceiling. This type of storage system is very popular in warehouses, manufacturing and assembly units.Donracks offers a high quality multi-tire storage system prioritizing safety, strength and rigidity. It is also possible to expand a single tier storage system into a multi-tiered one in the future. Easy installation, quick assembly, cost effectiveness; customized designs, optimal space usage solution, etc. are some of the advantages that a customer enjoys with Donracks. This system is well supported by shelving or pallet racking which are the commonly used racking systems in a multi-tier racking facility.

Multi-tiered storage systems are often integrated with mezzanine flooring options. Here is a look at the common advantages that a premise can enjoy through a multi-tiered storage system:

  • Additional flooring space to carry out manufacturing and assembling operations
  • Order picking can be done simultaneously across different tiers
  • Floor surface utilization is high
  • Storage volume enhances by 100% to that of the usual floor seated racking system
  • Optimal utilization of surface, height and storage volume

A tiered approach to data management utilizes different types of storage media to create multiple tiers for accommodating different types of data. The exact approach that organizations take to tiering depends on their specific storage, data and application requirements. Today’s IT teams might support anywhere between two and five tiers, sometimes even more. To a large degree, the number of tiers will depend on how an organization classifies its data. For example, business data is often grouped into one of four categories: mission critical,  hot data ,warm data and cold data. Based on these categories, an organization might implement four storage tiers — Tier 0, Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 — with Tier 0 supporting mission-critical workloads and Tier 3 storing cold data.

Organizations aren’t locked into this structure -they might deploy more tiers or fewer tiers — but this approach represents the basic principles that go into a multi-tiered storage architecture. 

 

What is Tier 1 storage?

Tier 1 data supports applications that are essential to an organization’s ability to conduct its everyday business. Applications that rely on this data can usually tolerate higher latency and lower IOPS than Tier 0 applications. Storage costs are also more of a consideration than with Tier 0 storage, although Tier 1 still tends to use high-quality media — such as double-parity RAID, to ensure the storage delivers the required latency and throughput, even if it’s not as fast as Tier 0 storage. Tier 1 storage might use SSDs, HDDs or a combination of both in a hybrid drive configuration. Hybrid storage systems cache hot data in flash for quick retrieval and write the remaining data to the HDDs. The HDDs used for Tier 1 storage tend to be the fastest and most expensive, especially if they’re the sole type of storage being used at this tier. In some cases, HDD-based storage will utilize a portion of the server’s RAM to function as a virtual disk drive, especially if the HDDs are not part of a hybrid system. However, this also means less memory is available for compute resources. Additionally, RAM requires a constant power supply to retain its data. SSDs and HDDs are non-volatile memory (NVM) devices, so they can be disconnected from power and still retain their data.

What is Tier 2 storage?

Tier 2 storage is concerned with warm data, which might include old emails, classified files, historical financial information, or a variety of other types of information. This tier might also support reporting and analytics. Tier 2 storage typically requires greater capacity for longer durations, so the emphasis shifts from performance to cost-effectiveness. Tier 2 storage often serves as an organization’s secondary storage, hosting Tier 0 and Tier 1 backups as part of a business continuity and disaster recovery (BC/DR) strategy. Tier 2 storage makes it possible to quickly restore key files if data on the primary storage becomes unavailable. The backup data on Tier 2 storage might include enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, corporate email, back-office applications or any other application data that requires high reliability and security but doesn’t need sub millisecond latency.Tier 2 data is preserved on lower-cost media that might include HDDs, backup appliances, tape storage or cloud storage. The HDDs are commonly based on SATA, rather than incorporating pricier RAID arrays or SAS devices. Recovery requirements often drive the type of media used for Tier 2 storage.

What is Tier 3 storage?

Tier 3 storage is an archive tier that sits behind the backup tier. The data in this tier is rarely accessed or updated, if at all. The tier’s storage media might include slow-spinning HDDs, recordable compact discs, tape drives or archival cloud storage services — whatever offers the least expensive storage compared to the other tiers. Tier 3 stores fixed copies of any content deemed to have a strategic value, however slight, or content that needs to be retained to comply with applicable regulation. Many organizations direct backups to Tier 2 storage for a set period of time then move the data to a Tier 3 tape library for long-term retention. The data might be retained indefinitely or set to expire by a certain date. In some cases, archival data is written to disk only once and never erased or updated. Companies in regulated industries use archives to migrate aging or inactive data off more expensive storage. Tier 3 storage supports compliance, historical analysis or other business needs that can arise periodically but don’t require state-of-the-art storage.

  • Ensure Maximum Utilization Of Space: These Multi-Tier Racks are considered the best to use the vertical space available within your facility. It permits the maximum floor space utilization and ensures better product managing in the same area without increasing your cost.
  • Flexible And Modular Design: These racks can accommodate non-palletized goods and allow you to handle different product line in a single store. It comes with accessories that ensure its flexibility and allows expanding it as per the needs. It easily fit in your warehouse and designed to fulfil your storing requirements.
  • Cost-Efficient Solution: Whether it’s about the cost of purchasing, installing or maintaining, this multi-tier racking system will not break your stipulated budget. It reduces financial risk, and its flexibility will make it a worthy choice.
  • Customized Design: This offered Multi-Tier Rack can be tailored to the specific space available in your warehouse without breaking your stipulated budget. Just share your specific demands to get the custom made solutions as per your available space preferences.