LTO tape is a long-term backup, archive and data interchange medium with a sustainable roadmap. It remains unmatched on cost, capacity, reliability, portability and security. Used alongside disk, it gives you an offline copy that stays safe if a virus, ransomware or a security breach hits your online systems.
Key advantages of LTO tape
- High capacity: up to 40TB native (100TB compressed) per LTO-10 cartridge
- Cartridge memory: each cartridge has a chip that stores its usage history, which speeds up loading and improves media monitoring
- A rugged cartridge that reduces media failures and interrupted backups
- Extensive testing: manufacturers test media under extreme conditions for dependable data access
- Hardware encryption of cartridge contents
- Range of media and services, including WORM, cleaning cartridges and pre-printed barcode labels
- A long service life: hundreds of full backup cycles, or up to 30 years as an archive
- Compliance support for data archiving and retention rules
- Lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects on media
- Backward compatibility on most generations (LTO-8 and LTO-9 support one generation back; LTO-10 is a clean break)
LTO tape use cases
LTO technology meets some of the most demanding storage needs at low cost, whether you are editing the next blockbuster, protecting priceless research data or simply keeping records for the long term. We supply LTO to post-production and media companies, businesses, emergency services, the military, local government, the NHS and education.
Nearline storage
Some data needs to sit halfway between online storage (instant access) and offline storage (slower access). LTO’s high transfer rates, low cost and large capacity make it ideal for nearline data in a library, ready to come back online in minutes when needed.
Bulk data transfer
Moving terabytes or petabytes to the cloud or a remote data centre can take days, even on fast connections. Writing the data to LTO and shipping the cartridges is often far quicker, with LTFS making it readable at the other end.
Active archive
Keep years of data online in a tape library at low cost, searchable and recallable through archive software such as Spectra StorCycle, while freeing up expensive primary storage.
Backup
Store multiple versions of large data sets at near-constant high speed, even as total data grows. Tape gives you the offline copy in a 3-2-1-1-0 backup strategy.
Media & entertainment
Camera originals, rushes and finished masters are copied to LTO on set, shipped between facilities and archived for decades. LTFS lets everyone read the tapes, whatever system they use.
Compliance & evidence
WORM cartridges keep financial records, medical images, CCTV and digital evidence unaltered for as long as regulations require.
Current LTO products
- LTO-10, LTO-9, LTO-8, LTO-7, LTO-6 and LTO-5 data cartridges
- LTO universal cleaning cartridges
- LTO WORM cartridges for archive
- Drives, autoloaders and libraries, plus barcode labels and racking
Why these advantages matter
Together, these advantages make LTO the best fit for data you must keep but rarely use, and for the copy you hope never to need. It costs less than disk or cloud for long retention, is safer against attack when offline, and is easier to move in bulk. See the benefits of LTO tape for more detail, or talk to us about your use case.