When LTO technology was first introduced in the 1990s, it became a viable choice in a complex array of tape storage options. In the early days of its inception, it displayed similarities to that of the tried and proven DLT technology.
With excellent throughput, it is one of the market leaders with tape media capacities continually improving and doubling through its releases. LTO technology was developed by a consortium of manufacturers including IBM, HP and Quantum. As a result of widespread licensing, the technology is very popular with high acceptance and adoption rates.
Obtaining the maximum tape drive throughput can be an issue if the host is unable to sustain the data transfer rates provided by the tape drive, especially with faster models. This is ordinarily overcome with variable speed technology, generally introduced in the second or half height release of each tape drive generation. In addition, RFID barcode technology has been adopted inside the media which is an excellent addition for versatility in future applications. LTO technology is certainly at the industry forefront and is highly recommended with most major OEMs releasing their own version/brand of LTO tape drives.
Problems associated with LTO technology
- LTO tapes can now be over 20 years old and as these tapes age, data recovery decreases. For older generations of LTO, drives are now obsolete and data throughput rates are superseded.
- LTO also has a well-planned release and migration roadmap for the next several years.
The LTO inner mechanisms, from an engineering and support perspective, are high quality and have been borne from that of the IBM 3590 breed, making them robust and easily serviced. All LTO generations have had a proven performance and total cost of ownership track record within the medium to large enterprise markets. According to Tape Ark’s Risk Rating, any LTO tape is ranked 5 out of 10, with 10 being the most at-risk.
What to do if you have LTO technology as part of your tape media collection?
We strongly advise taking immediate action if you have (or think you have) LTO tapes as part of your tape media collection. As a first step, we recommend undertaking a Comprehensive Media Audit (CMA). This is a low-cost, low-touch solution uniquely designed to provide a detailed assessment of your recording media collection. With the results, informed decisions can be made on the relative importance and value of the data, and how best to treat your collection to align with strategic business objectives and retention policy requirements.
The in-depth examination provides accurate information to make decisions:
- An accurate count of all the media and format types in the collection.
- Analysis of the overall volume of data is then used to determine an accurate cloud footprint of the collection and the necessary cloud storage requirements.
- A risk profile of each media type enables enhanced media sequencing for priority processing to avoid exposure to data loss, tape obsolescence and orphaning.
- Identification of duplicated media items to avoid ingesting multiple copies to the cloud.
We all understand the power of data. For today’s data custodians of yesterday’s data, we recognize the value potential of that data in use, not just in storage. The question of whether to retain the data or not can now easily be answered.
FAQs
According to Tape Ark's Risk Rating, any LTO tape is ranked 5 out of 10, with 10 being the most at-risk. What to do if you have LTO technology as part of your tape media collection? We strongly advise taking immediate action if you have (or think you have) LTO tapes as part of your tape media collection.
What is the life expectancy of LTO tape? ›
Most manufacturers estimate that LTO tapes will provide dependable data storage for 15-30 years. However, LTO archives require precise storage conditions. Slight deviations in temperature or humidity can affect storage life. Ideally, LTOs should be stored at 61 to 77°F (16 to 25°C).
How many times can an LTO tape be used? ›
We recommend replacing LTO tapes after use of approximately 250 times to ensure the safety of your data.
What are the disadvantages of virtual tape drives? ›
Disadvantages of Virtual Tape Libraries: Less Resiliency, High Long-Term Costs. One of the major advantages of tape is air-gapping, which provides protection against ransomware and other data security hazards.
What are the disadvantages of linear tape open? ›
Tape doesn't have the fast access speeds of HDDs or SSDs for retrieval. It is linear by nature and that is both its strength (allows for capacity) and its weakness (slower to access). But speed is not a deal breaker. We mostly use LTO for archive content that doesn't require instant or frequent access.
How reliable are LTO tapes? ›
LTO tapes have a remarkable lifespan, often exceeding 30 years when stored correctly. This longevity and durability provide a reliable solution for long-term data preservation.
Are LTO tapes still used? ›
Upon introduction, LTO rapidly defined the super tape market segment and has consistently been the best-selling super tape format. The latest generation as of 2021, LTO-9, can hold 18 TB in one cartridge. (4.0 in.
How do you destroy LTO tapes? ›
If a tape cartridge must be disposed of in a secure manner, you can erase the data on the cartridge by using a high-energy ac degausser (use a minimum of 2800 oersteds over the entire space that the cartridge occupies). Degaussing makes the cartridge unusable.
How do you manually remove LTO tape? ›
Force an eject by pressing the eject button on the front of the drive (press and hold for at least 10 seconds). Disconnect the host cable from the drive, then reseat and/or power-cycle the library (some libraries do not support removal of drives while the library is powered on). Repeat steps 2 and 3.
Why are tape drives no longer used? ›
Main Disadvantages of Tape Storage
First up is speed. Storing and retrieving data from tape storage systems is slow. System recovery from tape storage can take longer, increasing downtime and hurting operations.
Some drawbacks of tape technology include the following: Sequential storage. Tape drives use a sequential access approach to reading and writing data. That means they must start at the beginning of the tape and roll through it to access specific data or write new data.
What are the disadvantages of tape? ›
Pros and Cons of Using Adhesive Tapes
Adhesive tapes can be strong, custom-made alternatives for bonding, but they also risk higher costs, expiration dates, and slippage due to environmental factors.
What are the risks of tape backup? ›
Obsolescence isn't the only time-critical threat to tape backup, either: tape also degrades over time. If not stored properly, it's subject to oxidation, and uneven stresses could stretch or distort it.
What is the main disadvantage of tape storage as a backup? ›
One of the biggest disadvantages is that it's slow. Because data is written to tapes sequentially, it can take a long time to back up large amounts of data. And if you need to restore your data from a tape backup, it can also take a long time to retrieve the information you need.
Why would a tape rules hook be loose? ›
The metal tip at the end of your tape measure is a little bit loose for a reason. The first inch of the tape is short by 1/16 of an inch. This isn't an error: it's meant to provide you with accurate readings whether you're measuring the inside or outside edge of a surface.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of tape? ›
Regardless of all the advantages of tape backup, this system also has many drawbacks that can decrease the efficiency of backup. Low Speed. One of the biggest drawbacks of using tapes as your backup is their speed. Data is written sequentially, so it can take lots of time to back up large amounts of data.
How long is tape good for? ›
Does your tape have an expiration date? While tape shelf life can last up to 5 years, most adhesive tapes last 1-2 years. Every material has a different adhesive shelf life, and its importance varies depending on the project.
What is the shelf life of surgical tape? ›
Storage/Shelf Life: It is recommended that 3M™ Surgical Tapes be stored under normal conditions within the temperature range of 59–86°F (15–30°C). 3M™ Micropore™ Tape has a recommended shelf life of five (5) years under these conditions.
What is the longest lasting storage media? ›
One of the best options for long-term digital storage is archival M-Disc (Millennial Disc) type CDs. Unlike conventional CDs and DVDs, they use a special data layer made of materials that are resistant to degradation by UV light and moisture.
Does tape expire? ›
All reputable tape manufacturers list the recommended shelf life for their products. The most common time frames listed are anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. The primary reason for the difference in shelf life is the composition of the tape itself; the adhesive system, the backing, and release liner if it has one.
