Tertiary memory, also known as tertiary storage, is a class of data storage that is typically used for storing vast amounts of data at a lower cost than primary storage or secondary storage.
It is often slower but is ideal for long-term storage of infrequently accessed data. While it plays a lesser role in day-to-day computing operations, tertiary memory is essential for archiving, backups, and disaster recovery.
The defining characteristics of tertiary memory are its large storage capacity, low cost per byte, and relatively slow data access times.
Typically, tertiary storage devices are non-volatile, meaning data remains stored even when the system is powered down.
Tertiary memory is crucial for organizations that handle massive amounts of data over extended periods. Some of the common uses include:
Data archiving: Long-term storage of historical data, which may not be needed frequently but must be preserved for legal or compliance reasons.
Backup systems: Ensuring that important data is preserved and can be recovered in the event of a failure or disaster.
Disaster recovery: Storing duplicate copies of critical information in a geographically separate location to mitigate risks.
Big data management: Tertiary storage can serve as a repository for large datasets that are analyzed infrequently, thus reducing the cost of keeping such data online.
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