Method and system for archiving and compacting data in a data storage array

A method for transferring data stored on a centralized data storage array comprising:

• recognizing an assigned logical date associated with a file entity defining a beginning of a time period for maintaining said file entity in said centralized data storage array;
• recognizing an assigned category associated with said file entity defining a length of said time period for maintaining said file entity in said centralized data storage array;
• adding said file entity to a list of candidate entities when said time period for maintaining said file entity in said centralized data storage array has elapsed;
• and
• identifying an archivable file entity from said list of candidate entities and archiving a copy of said archivable file entity.

A method for transferring data stored in a data storage array comprising:

• a) determining a first configuration of said data storage array wherein a first amount of free space on each of a plurality of data storage devices in said data storage array is calculated;
• b) moving a plurality of individual file entities between said plurality of data storage devices wherein said b) comprises:
• b1) selecting a first data storage device in said data storage array;
• b2) selecting a first file entity from said first data storage device;
• and
• b3) moving said first file entity from said first data storage device to a data storage device of said plurality of other data storage devices in said data storage array to create a second configuration of said data storage array, wherein said first data storage device has a second amount of free space that is greater than said first amount of free space in said first configuration.