Utilize Blu-ray for cold storage backups

Did you know that some leading technology companies like Facebook utilize Blu-ray for cold storage backups?

PrimeArray quick facts:

• A BLU-RAY DBXL can hold up to 125GB a disc
• MDISC lifespan (estimated) is 1000 years
• Zero power usage to maintain that backup
• PrimeArray Maxtet product can support up to 12 BDXL readers/writers allowing 1 workstation/server to have up to 12 devices via 1 USB connection
• An extremely affordable option for lifetime cold storage backup

Let’s peek into Facebook’s Blu-ray archival library

Inside Facebook’s Blu-Ray Cold Storage Data Center: Facebook's Blu-Ray Cold Storage Data Center stores rarely accessed data using Blu-Ray optical disc technology.

The data center has racks of Blu-Ray discs, organized into cartridges holding up to 12 discs each. Shelves hold up to 10,000 cartridges, and the facility can store up to 1 petabyte of data. Cooling uses outside air, taking advantage of Oregon's cool climate, making it energy-efficient.

Accessing data is slower than traditional hard drives, but the cost savings make Blu-Ray an attractive option for rarely accessed massive data.

Facebook’s cold storage system: Two billion photos are shared daily. To preserve them efficiently, Facebook built storage-based data centers with servers that power on as needed, managed by software to optimize durability. Two cold storage facilities opened recently in Prineville, Oregon, and Forest City, North Carolina.

How Design Tweaks Drive Big Savings: Air enters through louvers, and cooling is handled by exterior air handlers, consolidating cooling into a single system.

Why Facebook thinks Blu-ray discs are perfect: Blu-ray may have a brighter future in data centers than in homes.

Panasonic to commercialize Facebook's Blu-ray cold storage: Blu-ray cuts long-term storage costs. Panasonic is developing disks up to 1TB.

Cold storage is for rarely accessed data. Older images move from SSDs/HDDs to high-capacity Blu-ray discs. The system is 50% cheaper than HDDs and 80% more energy-efficient.

Facebook Creates 1 Petabyte Storage Rack: One cabinet holds 10,000 Blu-Ray discs (~1 PB). Ultra-cold storage uses energy only when burning data.

Robotic Retrieval System: Prototype built in 6 months, 7-foot cabinet, Open Rack compatible, 24 magazines × 36 cartridges × 12 discs each. Each disc retains data for 50 years.