Cloud storage for digital preservation: optimal uses of Amazon S3 and Glacier

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to use cloud storage in digital preservation by analyzing the pricing and data retrieval models. The author recommends strategies to minimize the costs and believes cloud storage is worthy of serious consideration. Design/methodology/approach – Few articles have been published to show the uses of cloud storage in libraries. The cost is the main concern. An overview of cloud storage pricing shows a price drop once every one or one-and-a-half years. The author emphasize the data transfer-out costs and demonstrate a case study. Comparisons and analysis of S3 and Glacier have been conducted to show the differences in retrieval and costs. Findings – Cloud storage solutions like Glacier can be very attractive for long-term digital preservation if data can be operated within the provider’s same data zone and data transfer-out can be minimized. Practical implications – Institutions can benefit from cloud storage by understanding the cost models and data retrieval models. Multiple strategies are suggested to minimize the costs. Originality/value – The paper is intended to bridge the gap of uses of cloud storage. Cloud storage pricing especially data transfer-out pricing charts are presented to show the price drops over the past eight years. Costs and analysis of storing and retrieving data in Amazon S3 and Glacier are discussed in details. Comparisons of S3 and Glacier show that Glacier has uniqueness and advantages over other cloud storage solutions. Finally strategies are suggested to minimize the costs of using cloud storage. The analysis shows that cloud storage can be very useful in digital preservation.