The present invention is directed to a multimedia data storage system for storing multimedia data including a media server which stores media data on a short-term basis, and a media archive which stores media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server. The media archive is connected to the media server, which operates as a cache device for the media archive, for transmission of media data between the media archive and the media server. According to the present invention, a volume of the media data stored in the media server is controlled based on user-defined parameters. The present invention is also directed to a method of managing a media server as a cache device for a media archive within a multimedia data storage system. The media server stores media data on a short-term basis, whereas the media archive stores media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server. The media archive is connected to the media server for transmission of media data therebetween. According to the present invention, the method of managing includes determining a volume of the media data stored in the media server and controlling the volume of the media data stored in the media server based on user-defined parameters. The present invention is also directed to a computer-readable medium of instructions to be implemented in a multimedia data storage system including a media server and a media archive. The media server stores media data on a short-term basis and the media archive stores media data on a long-term basis relative to the media server. The media archive is connected to the media server for transmission of media data therebetween. The inventive computer-readable medium of instructions includes means for determining a volume of the media data stored in the media server and means for controlling the volume of the media data stored in the media server based on user-defined parameters.