Storage is arranged according to its intended use. For instance, data intended for regular use or restoration in the event of data loss or corruption is stored locally on more expensive, faster disks. Data required to be kept for regulatory purposes is archived to lower-cost disks. This approach allows funds to be spent where necessary and cost-savings possible so that hardware is not wasted in its role.

Tiering refers to the storage of data in the most appropriate medium based on its intended use. Data needed on demand would be top-tier and stored on solid-state or fast disks. Data rarely needed would be archived on the lowest tier, usually optical disks or tape (sometimes offline).

The term topology refers to network design. Planning data center operations and enhancements require both physical and logical topologies.