The term “secondary storage” has come a long way since it was first used to describe computer auxiliary storage (e.g. CD-ROM of floppy disks). In our Syneto Vocabulary, we take a look at the meaning of secondary storage for businesses today.

What is secondary storage?

Secondary storage, also referred to as secondary memory or auxiliary storage, is a type of storage solution used for keeping data that is not frequently accessed. It is storage for non-critical data, that does not need to be frequently accessed – this includes data archives and backup data.

Secondary storage can be an important asset when it comes to data protection, as it can be used for hosting backups of the data on the primary storage device. This data (backups) can then be used for Disaster Recovery and Operational Recovery purposes. In case of a disaster or a malfunction happening on the primary solution, the data can be recovered and restored from the secondary storage.

Traditionally, secondary storage sacrifices performance in order to achieve economical long-term archiving. Data that is not used often is sent to secondary storage to free up space and improve performance on primary storage devices. Modern IT infrastructure, however, is slowly stepping away from the traditional “primary vs. secondary” storage scenario, and focusing on offering more flexibility in terms of how secondary data is used.

Syneto’s approach to storage

At Syneto, we believe that all data is important for a business and, the more data you own, the more you can use this data to grow your business. That is why we have developed the Syneto hyperconverged data management platform, a solution that helps you protect and efficiently use all your data in various deployment scenarios.