What Are the 5 Types of Tier Storage and What Data Do They Store?

Tier 0 is defined as the solid-state memory-based storage used to improve performance beyond that which Tier 1 storage offers. Tier 0 storage had traditionally been in the form of a RAM disk which was quite costly; however, that is changing.

Tier 1 is where “hot data” (the data that businesses need to use daily) is stored, and that may be contained in either flash (solid-state) or hard disk drive.

Tier 2 is typically backup data that is stored on hard disk drives (HDDs) or in a cloud.

Tier 3 archives content that was conventionally stored on older hard-disk drives or digital tape drives. This data is rarely accessed but needs to be stored indefinitely.

Tier 4 tends to host the most amount of data for compliance requirements. State and federal civil courts often require companies to produce old emails and documents that sometimes go back years, and so old data needs to be preserved. This data does not have to be accessible immediately, therefore it can be stored in less costly manners.