What does Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) primarily manage?

Hierarchical Storage Management (HSM) is primarily focused on the organization of data across varying storage media. It is a data storage technique that automatically moves data between high-cost and low-cost storage based on usage patterns and business policy. The goal of HSM is to optimize the use of different storage types, ensuring that frequently accessed data is stored on faster, more expensive storage solutions, while less frequently accessed data is moved to slower, less expensive mediums.

This management approach helps in maximizing cost efficiency and improving performance by leveraging the strengths of different storage solutions. For instance, a system may store critical files on high-speed hard drives while archiving old or infrequently accessed files to tape drives or cloud storage. In doing so, HSM not only reduces costs associated with storage but also enhances access to often-used data, providing a well-organized infrastructure for data management.

In contrast, the other choices address aspects of data management that are part of broader strategies but do not specifically capture the essence of HSM. For example, while access frequency plays a role in determining how data is stored, HSM encompasses more than just managing access frequency. It also includes the strategic organization of data types across different storage media, which is its primary focus.