Preservation In The Cloud

Markus WustNCSU Libraries

Why Cloud Services For Preservation

• Geographic distribution of preservation copies to prevent data loss due to localized natural disasters

• Data replication on technically and administratively diverse infrastructure to counter local technical failures

• Use of robust, existing data storage and replication systems

Example: DuraCloud

• Developed by Duraspace (also develop Fedora and DSpace repositories)

• NCSU Libraries was a pilot partner• Data can be stored with multiple commercial

storage providers (Amazon, Rackspace, Microsoft)

Example: DuraCloud

• DuraCloud provides:– Administrative interface– Content management tools– Integration with Fedora and DSpace– Content delivery tools:

• Image server• Streaming video server

• Content is stored with commercial storage providers (currently Amazon and Rackspace)

Pilot Experiences

• Overall positive• Consider:

– You pay for cloud storage -> content assessment: what content is important enough?

– Other cloud preservation offers: TRLN is a Hathi Trust partner -> Hathi Trust is highly specialized, whereas DuraCloud is content agnostic

– Even if you trust your cloud provider, still have an exit strategy