Physical Tape Backups - Too Slow, Too Bulky, and Too Risky (2024)

May 11, 2023 by LaserVault

When it comes to saving backups, tape technology often remains the given method, despite its vulnerabilities. A typical routine tape backup protocol usually involves regularly scheduled backups, followed by physically removing the tape or tapes to a secure storage location, usually offsite. What savings are realized by using a tape medium are negated by storage costs, transportation, and system downtime.

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Cloud Managed Backup vs Backup to Tape

Using physical tape for archiving or long-term storage can be problematic. Physical tape as a storage medium was adopted by UNIVAC in the early 1950s, seventy years ago. Monitoring and managing a tape backup library is not labor free. Even though it is economical and suitable for archiving rarely accessed data, a single tape has an approximate 30-year lifespan, or 250 full backups before it needs to be replaced, and the data moved to another tape.

Sooner or later the worst happens. The system crashes, disaster becomes a reality instead of a far distant situation that only happens to some other company, and suddenly that backup is needed. Whether from disk corruption, data theft, user error, viruses or hacking, data can be lost. Damage by fire, storm or other natural event is impossible to predict, and difficult to protect a physical system from. A backup from physical tape takes valuable time to transport and reconstruct. Backup restoration begins, and because the data is stored in linear fashion, it can take hours or days to rebuild the system; that is, if a tape doesn’t fail and the backed up data is complete.

When it comes to tape restores, the failure rate is high (most estimates run from 40% – 70%). Although the data may have been “backed up,” if it can’t be restored when it is needed then that backup is totally useless, and represents a possible disaster for the business.

Sounds like a recipe for potential chaos, doesn’t it? In comparison, managed, automated backups save money, time, and frayed nerves. Taking it even further, moving a backup operation to virtual tape changes an outmoded, twentieth-century process from a Mad Mario event to “any chair, anywhere.” Management headaches are a thing of the past. Virtual tape’s automated processes reduce inherent risks from human error, loss or theft of tapes, tape or tape drive failure, and other disasters.

Compared to physical tape, a virtual tape system is simple. Data is secure in transit and at rest. Costs are reduced by maximizing storage space, reducing transmission time, speeding up file transfers, and eliminating costly staff time engaged in repetitive, time-intensive tasks involved in managing physical tapes. Data is always accessible, and always available to restore, and one doesn’t have to go anywhere to retrieve it, saving critical time and costly errors.

About Electronic Storage Corporation:

Electronic Storage Corporation, founded in 1989, is the creator of LaserVault virtual tape backup and recovery solutions, designed for seamless integration, ease of use, scalability and affordability. LaserVault software gives your business instantaneous access to critical business records and secure data protection. LaserVault solutions are used by small to large businesses representing many industries, including: hospitality, financial, insurance, manufacturing, distribution, telecommunications, government, wholesale, retail, hospitals, pharmaceutical, construction, education, and utility companies.