LTO LTFS (Linear Tape File System) great for data interchange

LTFS - (Linear Tape File System) turns an LTO-5/6/7/8 or LTO-9 tape in to a self describing file system. Create folders & partitions on the tape without the need of external software & access the files as if you inserted a USB key.  Using the LTFS operating system’s graphical file manager, reading and writing data on a tape cartridge is as easy as drag and drop.

The metadata of each cartridge, once mounted, is cached in server memory. Metadata operations, such as browse directory and filename search, do not require tape movement.

LTO LTFS Linear Tape File System

Operating systems are not typically shipped with built-in tape library support.  Standard OS disk interfaces did not enable direct reading and writing to tape cartridges.  Prior to LTFS, each tape could only be read by the same backup software that wrote it.

LTFS was originally developed by IBM to provide an easy way to archive data to tape without the requirement of 3rd party software.  The current Linear Tape File System supports all LTO drives which have 1Gb Ethernet port and is available on LTO-9.

Designed to store files sequentially LTFS is ideal for storing digital data.  This is perfect for use with video footage which creates a huge amount of data when editing 2k, 4k, 8k or 3D video files.  An LTFS tape can be moved from one OS to another OS guaranteeing data interchange.

Backup vs Archiving

Backup - A backup is designed to restore recently deleted files, recover systems from software, hardware failure or malicious attack.  A backup is taken daily, weekly, monthly and the backup data is overwritten after "x".

Archiving -  An archive is a way to move important critical information from tier 1 storage.  This data must be retained for a number of years as part of government, corporate, legislative or legal reasons.

Companies daily perform backups but few archive.  A simple fact is 80% of all data becomes inactive after 1 year.  Moving data to an archive frees up valuable disk space, decrease backup windows, perform faster restores and save money.

If you need LTFS tape drives or complete LTFS tape library solutions, please call us on 01256 331614 and we will be happy to assist.

Find out more about LTFS by clicking here.

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