def record_metering_data(self, data):
        """Write the data to the backend storage system.
        :param data: a dictionary such as returned by
                     ceilometer.meter.meter_message_from_counter
        """
        engine = self._engine_facade.get_engine()
        with engine.begin() as conn:
            # Record the raw data for the sample.
            m_id = self._create_meter(conn,
                                      data['counter_name'],
                                      data['counter_type'],
                                      data['counter_unit'])
            res_id = self._create_resource(conn,
                                           data['resource_id'],
                                           data['user_id'],
                                           data['project_id'],
                                           data['source'],
                                           data['resource_metadata'])
            sample = models.Sample.__table__
            conn.execute(sample.insert(), meter_id=m_id,
                         resource_id=None,
                         timestamp=data['timestamp'],
                         volume=data['counter_volume'],
                         message_signature=data['message_signature'],
                         message_id=data['message_id'])