Clearing data from the system

Deployment options: Netezza Performance Server for Cloud Pak for Data System

Netezza Performance Server provides tools that you can use to remove or clear the data from its storage media.

Clearing data from a system is usually a rare operation. You would typically clear data in the following situations.
  • If you are repurposing a system to another team for their reporting needs.
  • If a system reached an end-of-life point.
  • If you are returning a system after you upgraded to a newer or larger system.

Depending on the sensitivity of the data that is stored on the system and its next destination, you have four options for removing data from the system.

  • DROP-INIT reinitializes a system to a factory default level. For models such as the N3001 series of systems, this process resets cryptographic keys on the SED drives to cryptographically erase the storage media. For other models, a clear method might be necessary to ensure that existing data is no longer accessible.
  • CLEAR uses techniques and scripts to sanitize the data that is stored on disks to protect against simple, noninvasive data recovery operations. IBM offers several tools such as Storage Data Clear and DiskErase that can be used to clear data from storage media. Clearing operations can take up to 12 hours per clearing pass. IBM Support can assist you with these options and planning the time that is necessary to do the storage clearing operations.
  • PURGE applies physical or logical techniques that render target data recovery infeasible using state of the art laboratory techniques, such as Degaussing the disks. Be sure to discuss this option with IBM Support or your Sales contact because a disk must be purchased if the purge method renders the disk useless.
  • DESTROY renders target data recovery infeasible using state of the art laboratory techniques and results in the subsequent inability to use the media for storage of data. Shredding a disk absolutely ensures that data cannot be recovered, but this option requires customers to purchase the disk.

If you are planning an onsite test of Netezza Performance Server or if you are planning for repurposing or running an end-of-life cleanup of your system, contact IBM Support or your Sales representative for more information about data clear options that would work best for your environment.