Are Tapes Still Alive in 2018?
The tape is the oldest data archival method and technology. Released in 2000, the technology provides the ability to store any type of data for a very long period of time. It is also known as Linear Tape-Open (LTO) and Ultrium too. Basically consists of a magnetic strip on which the data can be written with the help of a special data writer called drive. To save the magnetic strip from external temperatures, it is enclosed in a box called cartridge. It can not only safeguard against external effects but also prevents it from breaking. The main purpose of LTO in the business world is for data backups. Since Clouds and SSDs have come to the surface, many believe Ultrium is on the way towards it burial. However, many think it is going to last a bit longer. The debate may continue, but since the initial release of Ultrium in 2000 and then LTO 2 Tapes in 2003 to this date, it is still used by many multinational organizations as a primary backup technology. Here we will talk about the crucial factors that are still keeping it alive in the storage world of 2018.
Long Term Storage:
The biggest edge Linear Tape-Open has over other technologies is that it can store tons of information for 2 to 3 decades without any hassle. This is what most organizations demand as most of the time enterprise-level firms need to store bulk information at their disposal without any changes for very long periods of time. So, instead of using Solid State Drive or Cloud where either you get a very little lifetime or have to pay each month for using the service, leveraging the tapes is the best option to store any type of data for longer retention needs.
Largest Capacity:
Ultrium 1 started with just a 100GB of this time, I must mention, but now in 2018, it can store up to 30 terabytes of important information. Quantum is the company that regulates and releases the generations or versions of Linear Tape-Open, in 2017 it released the 8th generation of the technology that can store any type of 30 terabytes of information. It can store 12 terabytes of raw data without any need to put several devices together. No other backup technology matches this feature of the tapes, and it’s the main reason, LTO 2 tapes and all other generations are still alive in this world of 2018.
Speedy & Quick Data Transfers:
The charm in magnetic storage doubled every time the new version of Ultrium was released. Starting with its initial release in 2000, the technology only offered 20 MBs transfer rate while the latest release made us able to transfer files and information at a blazing fast speed of 1.5 Gigabytes for uncompressed data which is the so far the fastest data transfer capability. No other technology is near to this amazing fast response time of tapes.
Portable:
Another very great edge this magnetic technology offers is the portability and ability to ship anytime and anywhere with ease and no fear of any loss or damage. It is very portable and at the same time very durable so you can easily ship them from one place to another without damaging the data or the hardware.
Safety:
The safety features of the technology are also an important factor in keeping it alive to this data. It provides the best security, unlike other technologies that provide poor safety and security for backup itself.