Data Archive Hits Record High

 
Published: 30 June 2004

April was a record month for the ARM Climate Research Facility Data Archive, with 1.2 terabytes (or 1.2 trillion bytes) of data delivered to customers, and about 1 terabyte of data delivered and stored in the Archive. This impressive statistic represents 450,000 files retrieved—roughly double the largest previous month of data distribution! This trend continued in May, with about 30% more files delivered than normal.

The Archive supports the scientific research and field campaigns of ARM Program researchers and collaborating ARM Climate Research Facility researchers by storing and distributing large quantities of measurement data and related information collected from instruments in the field. These data are used by researchers to investigate atmospheric radiation balance and cloud feedback processes, which are critical to improving models that simulate climate change. Recent data storage increases are due to enhanced instrument systems, collection and networking systems, and data processing capacity improvements. The rise in data distribution appears to be widely spread over the available data streams.