Project: Migration Free Long-Term Storage and Archival Medium
The MiLoS Project will develop and establish a Migration Free Long-Term Storage and Archival Medium and Process Chain with longevity up to 500 years._x000D__x000D_THE PROBLEM: _x000D_The world is overflowing with data. “The world’s information doubles every two years. In 2011 it was 1,8 zettabytes. By 2020 the world will “hold” 50 times this amount!” (Source: IDC). _x000D_We will be hit by a digital data Tsunami! _x000D_It is clear that a significant amount of these data needs a secure long-term storage of 100 years or more._x000D__x000D_THE SOLUTION UNTIL TODAY: _x000D_Long-term archiving is achieved by using a combination of spinning disks and magnetic tapes with an average lifetime of 20 years. Due to the rapid change in technology (i.e. new media, new hardware and new software introduced every 2-3 years), the long-term archiving aspect can only be achieved by repetitive migration of data. Best practice is migration every 3-5 years. This is a never ending task, - that costs a fortune!_x000D__x000D_THE SOLUTION FOR THE FUTURE: _x000D_The MiLoS Project will develop and establish a Migration Free Long-Term Storage and Archival Medium and Process Chain that eliminates the need for this costly repetitive migration of data. The project will do the relevant R&D of a new European-based solution and workflow that will be a strong and competitive alternative to existing solutions (i.e. American and Asian hard disk and tape technologies) for long-term archiving._x000D__x000D_THE IMPLEMENTATION: _x000D_To achieve this ambitious goal; the MiLoS Project is taking a holistic and lifetime approach to long-term archiving. _x000D__x000D_CO objectives for the MiLoS Project are:_x000D__x000D_1) A new Storage and Archival Medium based on nano-sized photosensitive Material technology shall be developed. The new Material and Medium shall be optimized with respect to data density, extended lifetime and shall be based on utilizing “open standards” relative to its application and use _x000D__x000D_2) Based on this new MiLoS Medium, the highest possible speed of data writing and reading technologies and techniques shall be explored and demonstrated_x000D__x000D_3) For this new MiLoS Medium, a cost effective and practical solution for Packaging the Medium (e.g. in a cartridge) that enables efficient logistics during the long-term storage shall be developed and demonstrated_x000D__x000D_Significantly enhanced storage capacity, improved longevity and logistical flexibility as well as higher writing and reading speeds can be achieved with the new Medium based on the above innovations._x000D__x000D_Further major objectives are:_x000D__x000D_4) Establish reliable and cost-effective manufacturing methods for the new Material and Medium as well as the Packaging_x000D__x000D_5) Develop photochemical processing and related equipment for the new Medium_x000D__x000D_6) Evaluate and prove longevity and reliability of the new Medium (as in the Packaging)_x000D__x000D_7) Establish a full scale integrated Process Chain (workflow) with skilled and demanding users of long-term archival solutions utilizing the new Medium_x000D__x000D_THE TEAM: _x000D_A broad and experienced group of research institutes, material technology research companies, technology developers and manufacturers as well as governmental and commercial institutes and organizations have joined forces to reflect the pan-European approach to this project (ref. section 2.4.1 for P info.)._x000D__x000D_It might appear to be a rather large consortium, but it has been a conscious decision to create it. The idea is to have the major European players within the “photosensitive industry” with complementary technologies and qualifications to co-create a sustainable solution for long-term archiving._x000D__x000D_Well respected material research institutes and governmental institutions are involved into this process to support implementation and usage of this new solution._x000D__x000D_This will also secure the fastest and best possible market access for the outcome of the MiLoS Project!_x000D__x000D_A NEW APPROACH: _x000D_MiLoS is taking a different approach, - focusing on the storage medium first. There have been many other research projects, funded by EU and others, working with data storage and archiving issues. Most of these projects are related to digital libraries, digital archiving, libraries/ archives infrastructures, online content, migration and data loss aspects etc. The vast majority of these projects are software and process oriented. _x000D_But software and innovative processes only will not suffice to achieve real long-term retention and integrity of the data._x000D_Very few (if any) have taken up the challenge of the long-term integrity of the data and the storage medium together, including the readability of the data, - even if the original technology will not be available any more, - some time in future. _x000D_This is THE weak point of pure electronic solutions towards securing a full implementation to carry digital content into the future; - it needs a true WORM (write once, read many) storage medium with superior longevity characteristics and its full integration into the archiving processes. _x000D__x000D_The MiLoS Project is exactly focusing on these aspects! _x000D_
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Acronym
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MiLoS
(Reference Number: 7360)
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Duration
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01/09/2012 - 30/05/2015
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Project Topic
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The MiLoS project will develop an Open Standard Migration Free Storage and Archival Medium for long term archiving of digital data - by creating a European integrated medium solution as a strong alternative to electronics and tape-based solutions dominated by Asian and North-American IT industry.
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Network
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Eurostars
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Call
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Eurostars Cut-Off 8
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Project partner
