Is Archiving Back to LTO Tape Right for Me?
You may be asking: “I can’t access my data stored on Quantum LTO3A Tapes, why would I want my data BACK on tape?”
We transfer your data to tapes formatted with LTFS (Linear Tape File System). LTFS is open source and can be accessed just by downloading LTFS drivers from your tape drive’s manufacturer. Your inserted tape will show up just like an external hard drive!
You get all the reliability of LTO Tape (30+ year shelf life) in an easily accessed, open format!
STEP 1
Mail us your LTO3A Tapes
STEP 2
We contact you verifying the data we retrieved from the tapes with screenshots.
STEP 3
We transfer your data to LTO tape with the LTFS format. We can also transfer a second copy to the cloud or hard drive if preferred.
STEP 4
We mail you back your original tapes, the LTFS copy, and/or any hard drives.
FAQ’s
Why can’t I use a LTO3 drive to restore my data?
LTO3A is a propreitaty format which means original Quantum 3A drives must be used to restore the data. Luckily, we maintain several working drives.
Which Generations of Tape can I recieve back?
LTFS is only supported on LTO Generations 5 and up.
We recommend generation 8 for price/TB, but we can supply generations 5-9. We do not recommend utilizing M8 if the goal is to be future proof.
How Many Tapes Will I Get Back?
It depends on the generation of tape you send to us and the generation you request back.
For example, one LTO3A tape holds 400GB to 800GB of data. This means 8-15 LTO3A tapes could fit on one 12TB LTO8 Tape!
Optionally, we can provide a 1 to 1 copy instead.
How do I access my data on LTFS formatted Tapes?
Simply download the LTFS drivers from your tape drive manufacturer’s website (i.e. HP, Dell, Overland, ect.), insert your tape, and follow the instructions for mounting the tape. It will show up just like an external hard drive.
There is no vendor lock in. Any tape drive can read data written from another manufacturer’s tape drive.