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sysmgr1

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sysmgr1

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February 7th, 2007 12:00

Data erasure ...

I noticed the new release notes on Powerlink for the new 5772 Enginuity code.
One of the good features is the Certified Data Erasure. However, if you think about it, if you don't have this code, every time a disk is replaced, your data is walking out the door. If the disks that are just marginal and get recycled then could your data end up in someone else's storage array? Are there plans to roll this out to the other Symmetrix lines?
  • aries3

    52 Posts

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    Posted February 11th, 2007 20:00

    Ok.
    Let¿s say I have the new 5772 Enginuity code. How do I know the erase process has bean done on the disk?
  • sysmgr1

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    Posted February 12th, 2007 10:00

    Yes, how exactly do we know that the data is erased? If it's a "Certified" data erasure, then what kind of certification (or more like verification) do we get?
  • MrTS2Symm

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    Posted February 13th, 2007 05:00

    Sysmgr,

    Certified comes from being 'D.O.D. compliant' (Department of Defense). The program over-writes random bit patterns to ensure erasure of original data.

    From Powerlink if you do a search for 'data erasure', it will present multiple documents for your review.


    I hope this helps.

    Message was edited by:
    Julie Gibson
  • sysmgr1

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    Posted February 13th, 2007 07:00

    Wow, that link is so secure, it won't let me even open it! That must be top-secret.

    Anyway, besides spraying the disks with bits, is there any verification or notification that the customers get after this is done? Or is it just assumed to be done?
  • MrTS2Symm

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    Posted February 13th, 2007 10:00

    Sysmgr,

    I sincerely apologize for the link issue. My mistake.

    I will leave it up to each individual to do their own search via Powerlink on the subject.

    The application has prompts and notifications. Such as the option to choose the number of Media Eraser 'wipes' (3x times, 5x times or 7x times). Notifications of estimate running time, progress and job completion.
  • Allen Ward

    6 Operator

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    Posted February 14th, 2007 11:00

    Is there any possibility of getting alerted in ECC so that there is a permanent, easily customer accessible record of the erasure?
  • mlee2

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    Posted February 14th, 2007 22:00

    Hello All,

    I also just wanted to clarify that the "EMC Certified Data Erasure Services" for disks feature (to be released with Enginuity 5772 and as detailed by sysmgr) is a NEW feature to ensure the full data erasure of a single defective drive before it is removed from site.

    This is an enhancement to the current "EMC Certified Data Erasure Services" feature available for Enginuity 5x67 to 5771. The current service is for a FULL box data erasure of all installed drives (to DOD standards, multiple passes, selectable data patterns, etc).

    Again this is a full box erasure that can be performed by your local EMC Customer Engineer and this is typically requested before a Symmetrix is "traded in" (returned to EMC) OR re-deployed for other uses onsite....

    Best Regards,
    Michael.
  • sysmgr1

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    Posted February 15th, 2007 06:00

    I understand that on the 5772 code that it's for disk replacements only and not something that the customers can do. I am just curious as to how the customers can truely verify that this was performed on a disk prior to replacement rather than just assuming it was done. A previous post mentioned questions to answer when it's run, so would this not be a default behavior?
  • mlee2

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    Posted February 15th, 2007 18:00

    Hi Sysmgr,

    My last posting was simply to clarify that this thread was discussing a different feature to the full box erasure service that is currently available (as detailed by Mr. TS2). The choice of the data erasure method (to DOD standards), the number of passes, etc, are certainly all questions to be answered when performing the full box certified data erasure.

    I am afraid that Enginuity 5772 has not been GA'ed yet so I don't have the details on how a certified erasure at the disk level would be logged or reported. Perhaps some other EMC'ers know how this dialogue would apply to the new 5772 feature?......

    Yes, from the information I have seen (which is obviously "Subject to change without notice", etc) the certified data erasure prior to a drive replacement at Enginuity 5772 appears to be an optional behaviour that needs to be licensed and it is an alternative to customers that currently have maintenance agreements where they physically retain all failed drives (for total data security).

    I would suggest that anyone specifically interested in this new feature should speak to their friendly local EMC Sales Team - to see if it applies to their environment and addresses any current concerns with data security......

    Thanks & Best Regards,
    Michael.
  • sysmgr1

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    Posted February 16th, 2007 11:00

    Optional, extra licensed (extra cost I presume), and not GA'd yet.
    Great. :)