How Do Archival and Deep Archival Storage Classes Differ in Terms of Long-Term Storage Pricing?

When businesses manage large volumes of data, it becomes essential to choose the right storage class based on factors like frequency of access, data retention needs, and cost efficiency. For long-term storage, archival and deep archival storage classes are two common options that provide cost-effective solutions for data that is rarely accessed but needs to be retained over long periods.

In this article, we will explore the differences between archival and deep archival storage classes, focusing on their pricing structures and how they relate to environments like server, colocation, and cloud hosting solutions.

What is Archival Storage?

Archival storage refers to a storage class designed for long-term data retention that is infrequently accessed. It is ideal for businesses that need to store data for regulatory, compliance, or historical purposes, but do not require immediate or frequent access to the data.

Key characteristics of archival storage include:

Low Storage Costs: Archival storage is designed to offer significant cost savings compared to more frequently accessed storage classes, as it is meant for data that won’t be retrieved often.

Retrieval Fees: While archival storage provides low storage costs, there are typically retrieval fees associated with accessing the data. Retrieval can take longer compared to other storage classes, and businesses may incur extra costs depending on the retrieval speed they require.

Data Durability: Archival storage offers high durability to ensure that data remains intact and accessible for long periods, typically measured in several years.

For businesses that use server or colocation services, archival storage can be an effective solution for backing up historical data, legal documents, or data that must be preserved for compliance without consuming high levels of storage resources.

What is Deep Archival Storage?

Deep archival storage is a storage class designed for data that is expected to be rarely accessed, even more so than data in standard archival storage. It is best suited for businesses that need to retain data for compliance or legal reasons but are certain that the data will hardly ever need to be accessed.

Key characteristics of deep archival storage include:

Even Lower Storage Costs: Deep archival storage offers even lower costs than traditional archival storage due to its ultra-low access frequency. This makes it a highly cost-effective solution for data that is meant for preservation, such as long-term backups or historical records.

Longer Retrieval Times: Data stored in deep archival storage typically has longer retrieval times compared to standard archival storage. This is because the data is stored in a more cost-efficient and less readily accessible manner.

Specialized Retrieval Processes: Accessing data from deep archival storage often requires a more elaborate process, and retrieval times can range from hours to days, depending on the service and the specific requirements for data access.

For companies that leverage hosting services to store vast amounts of rarely accessed data, deep archival storage provides a highly cost-effective method for retaining essential data without occupying valuable active storage resources.

Key Differences in Pricing Between Archival and Deep Archival Storage

While both archival and deep archival storage are designed for long-term, low-access data storage, the primary differences between the two lie in their pricing models, retrieval costs, and access speed. Let’s examine these factors in more detail:

1. Storage Costs

Archival Storage: Archival storage typically offers low storage costs, making it an affordable solution for businesses that need to store data for the long term but don’t access it frequently. However, it is still priced higher than deep archival storage due to its higher level of accessibility.

Deep Archival Storage: Deep archival storage is priced at an even lower rate, offering significant cost savings for businesses that are looking to store data that will never need to be accessed or will be accessed only in extreme cases. This object storage class is often the most cost-effective option for businesses that need to retain data for many years but are sure it won’t be retrieved often.

For businesses managing servers or colocation services, using deep archival storage can help reduce costs, particularly when dealing with large volumes of rarely accessed data that still needs to be retained over long periods.

2. Retrieval Costs

Archival Storage: While archival storage is designed for infrequent access, it generally offers faster retrieval speeds than deep archival storage. Retrieval fees are incurred, but they tend to be moderate compared to those of deep archival storage. Depending on the provider, businesses can often access their data within hours or a few minutes.

Deep Archival Storage: Deep archival storage involves more significant retrieval delays and typically has higher retrieval costs associated with it. The longer retrieval time reflects the reduced accessibility and the cost-effective nature of this storage class. Businesses may need to plan ahead for data retrieval in cases where they need access.

In a colocation environment, businesses storing large amounts of data in deep archival storage should be prepared for the possibility of slower data access, which could affect operations if unexpected data retrieval is needed urgently.

3. Access Frequency and Retrieval Speed

Archival Storage: Archival storage is suitable for businesses that need to retrieve data occasionally but with relatively faster access times. It provides a middle ground between cost-efficiency and accessibility, making it ideal for data that needs to be kept for regulatory or compliance purposes but not frequently accessed.

Deep Archival Storage: Deep archival storage is designed for data that is extremely rarely accessed, making it the best choice for businesses that do not anticipate retrieving the data for years. The slow retrieval speeds and specialized processes involved in accessing deep archival data mean that businesses should be sure that they won't need the data on short notice.

For companies utilizing hosting or server services that require extremely low-cost long-term data storage, deep archival storage is a smart choice, provided that the business does not require fast retrieval times.

4. Data Durability

Both archival and deep archival storage offer high durability and are designed to ensure the long-term integrity of data. However, the difference lies in the level of service and the associated costs. Archival storage typically offers faster access times and can be considered a more resilient option in terms of access frequency, while deep archival storage, though highly durable, is better suited for data that is more static and unlikely to be accessed.

Which Storage Class is Best for Your Business?

Archival Storage is ideal for businesses that need to retain data for regulatory or compliance purposes with moderate retrieval needs. If your business relies on servers or colocation facilities for managing data that might need occasional access, archival storage offers the right balance of cost and availability.

Deep Archival Storage is the best choice for businesses that need to store data for extended periods with little to no access. If you’re managing long-term backups or records that will not be retrieved regularly, deep archival storage provides the lowest cost option.

Both storage classes are crucial for businesses that prioritize long-term data retention, but choosing the right class depends on access requirements, cost considerations, and how quickly the data might need to be retrieved.