Tape Drives

Tape Drives

Many businesses, including home-based ones, have the need to retain business data as well as ensure that it is available even should their system, hard drive or other network storage equipment fail.  Tape and tape drives are the most often utilized technology to meet the data retention and restoration needs of businesses - both small and large.  Why tape?

1. Tape is moveable and removable.  What does that mean?  You can back-up your data and store it "off-site", in a safe or other secure area to ensure that the tape and your data will survive, even if your system(s) don't in the case of a catastrophic occurrence.
2. Tape has a very long shelf life - often up to 30 years.  By comparison, your hard drive is designed for a lifetime of around 5 years.
3. Tape is cheap - a standard DLT tape can hold around 10GB at a cost of $3.35 per tape or $.34/GB, a SDLT tape, with compression, holds 320GB at a cost of around $65.00 per tape or $0.20/GB.  Compare that with even the most inexpensive hard drive technologies at around $1.50/GB.

So if you need to keep things around for a while, a tape drive might well be in your future.

But what should you look for in your data retaining tape drive?  Following are some of the most important factors to consider before you shell out your hard earned dollars on a tape drive.

• Type of Tape - There are four main types of type used in tape back up drives:
  • AIT (advanced intelligent tape) - is 8mm across and uses a scanning technique (helical scanning) that is very much like that used in your hard drive.  This technique optimizes the tape for a high data transfer rate and maximum storage capacity.  When the data is compressed, an AID tape cartridge can hold approximately 65GB of data using 2.1:1 ALDC (adaptive lossless data compression) technologies.  AIT drives transfer data at around 7.8MB/sec with compression.
  • DLT (digital linear tape) - uses a technique to write data onto the tape in 128 or 208 linear tracks.  DLT cartridges hold around 70GB of data when Digital Lempel Ziv1 (DLZ1) compression is used.  A newer DLT-based technology, SuperDLT in creases tape capacity to more than 100GB.  SuperDLT drives transfer data at speeds up to 10MB/sec.
  • LTO (Linear Tape-Open) - is an "industry standard" technology (jointly developed by HP, IBM and Seagate) that comes in two formats.  Accelis use 8mm wide tape on a two-reel cartridge that loads at the mid-point of the tape for fast access. Accelis formats have 25GB (uncompressed) capacities.   Ultrium is a single reel, 1/2" wide tape that maximizes storage capacity.  Ultrium formatted tapes have 100GB (uncompressed) capacities.  Both formats transfer data at around 10-20MB/sec.

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  • Packet Tape - available from VXA (tape manufacturer) has a capacity of 33GB native and 66GB compressed.  It is an 8mm format and one that will probably be the MOST useful for home-based business owners. 
• Interface - Most drives will use a network interface (Ethernet) or direct interface (SCSI).  Make sure, before you purchase the drive, that your system/network is "ready" for your tape drive.
• Speed - Transfer Rates - how quickly data moves from across the interface between the drive and the system itself.
• Capacity - as noted above, capacity is driven by not only the number of tape drives, but also the tape format used in the drive.
• Compatibility - sure, it's about your OS, but in the world of tapes, it is also about the software application you are going to use to perform back-ups and recovery (i.e. Veritas Backup Exec).

So, ready to take a look at what is out there?  We've tried to hit on the majority of tape drives well suited to home-based and small business owners and their manufacturers.  In fact, the number was so large, that we had to build a separate document with all the choices on them (and relevant information).  You can find this document at:  Tape Drives.  Additionally, we've done a quick analysis that will tell you the cost per GB of every drive and drive size so you'll have an even better idea of what you're paying to store your data.

And, as always, we've chosen our favorite drive from every manufacturer.  Just look for the > symbols!

Tape Drives Review

Tape Back-Up Drives*

(Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)

* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro

Overland Storage

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹1/2

Overland Storage makes two external drives (SDLT and LTO) and two loaders using LTO-2 and LTO-3 technologies.  Connections are SCSI-based and capacities range from 160GB to 9.6TB on the loaders.  All will take some time and effort to install and integrate with your backup application(s).

Cost - $$$

Overland Storage's external drives are priced at $3,793.99 for the SDLT model, $3,820.36 for the LTO-3 model, the loaders ( "low end" products only) ARCvault 12 LTO-2 is $3,789.99 and LTO-3 is $4,829.99.  See our product matrix Tape Drives for all pricing and product information.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

These drives, once installed ensure that your data is backed up and retained - for very long periods of time if you so desire.

Ease of Use - @@@1/2

Once successfully installed and integrated with your applications - very usable.

Works With - YYYYY

Overland Storage's tape drives are compatible with almost any OS.

Support - pppp

Overland Storage provides a 3 year warranty on their tape drives.  The tech support area on their web site includes manuals, downloads, application notes, bulletins, a knowledge base and quick installation guides.  If you need more help you can email tech support or call them, Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM Pacific on their "800" number.

Features - iii1/2

Solid, industry standard tape drives that are relatively fast and very reliable.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

Robust tape drives that are reliable and will last for years.  Not however, for the average home-based business owner.

Quantum

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Quantum makes twelve drive types - DLT-S4, SDLT 600, SDLT 320, DLT V4, DLT VS160, CLD VS80, LTO-3HH, LTO-3, LTO-2HH, DAT 72, DDS-4 and Travan.  Most come in a variety of form factors - internal bare drives, internal drive kits, tabletop and rackmount.  The tabletop models are the easiest to implement.  The drives use a combination of Ultra2 SCSI, SATA, eSATA or USB 2.0 to connect to your system.

Cost - $$$$

Quantum's tape drives range in price from $277.64 to $6,004.66.  See our product matrix Tape Drives for all pricing and product information.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

These drives, once installed ensure that your data is backed up and retained - for very long periods of time if you so desire.

Ease of Use - @@@1/2

Once successfully installed and integrated with your applications - very usable.

Works With - YYYYY

Quantum's drives are compatible with Windows, Macintosh, Linux, UNIX and NetWare operating systems.

Support - pppp

Quantum's drives carry three year warranties with the exception of the Travan drive which has a two year warranty.  The Quantum web site includes downloads, online self service, a compatibility guide, training and education and a knowledge base and FAQ.  If you need more help, Quantum offers tiered support plans including:  Gold Support Plan - 24x7 on-site support, four-hour target response time for on-site support, 24 hour telephone support, priority call handling; Silver Support Plan - on-site support Monday through Friday, four-hour target response time for on-site support, 24-hour telephone support, priority call handling; Bronze Support Plan - on-site support Monday through Friday, next-day response for on-site support, 5x9 telephone support, online resources; Platinum Support Plan - support plan customized to your technical and business needs, designated key account program manager, 24x365 on-site support, two-hour target response time for on-site support, 24-hour telephone support, priority call handling, on-site spares.

Features - iiii

Tons of choices in tape format, capacities, and drive form factors.  You can choose from a simple solution like the Travan drive or go all the way up to a DLT-S4 2U rackmount solution with dual drives.

Overall Rating - %%%%

Lots of choices, lots of capabilities - buy what you need and get a 3 year warranty included as well.

Sony           

Shop the official SONY store for exclusive products & services, special offers and savings.

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Sony makes twenty-three internal and external tape drives.  They utilize an assortment of technologies to connect to your system - SCSI, SATA, USB 2.0, FireWire and some internal drives utilize ATA/ATAPI.  Straight forward to set up and use as is the bundled back-up and restore software (where applicable).

Cost - $$$$

Sony's tape drives range in price from $565.00 to $3,320.00.  See our product matrix Tape Drives for all pricing and product information.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

These drives, once installed ensure that your data is backed up and retained - for very long periods of time if you so desire.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Of all the tape drives reviewed, the easiest to use at the "low end".  Higher end drives are no more or less usable than competitive offerings in this space.

Works With - YYYY

The Sony tape drives are Windows and Macintosh compatible.

Support - pppp

The Sony tape drives carry a 3 year warranty.  Their technical support site has a searchable area where you can get drivers and software downloads, browse a FAQ or search their knowledge base.  You can also download documentation.  If you need more help, Sony technical support is available via email or through their "800" number.

Features - iiii

Sony drives utilize AIT-E, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 technology and come in a variety of internal and external form factors.  Some drives include back-up and restore software from Novastor, ARCserv or Symantec.

Overall Rating - %%%%

One of the best tape drive vendors for the average home-based business owner.

Tandberg

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Tandberg makes twenty-one tape drives that range in capacities from 20 to 400GB (uncompressed) using SCSI or FireWire to integrate with your system.  The drives, and bundled software where applicable, install in a straight forward manner.

Cost - $$$1/2

The Tandberg tape drives range in price from $444.99 to $6,329.00.  See our product matrix Tape Drives for all pricing and product information.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

These drives, once installed ensure that your data is backed up and retained - for very long periods of time if you so desire.

Ease of Use - @@@1/2

Once installed, they run like "tops".
Works With - YYYYY

The Tandberg drives are compatible with most business OS's - Windows, Linux, Unix.

Support - ppp1/2

Tandberg tape drives carry a 3 year warranty.  The tech support area on the web site includes product documentation, software downloads and a FAQ.  If you need more help, you can email or call InoStor support 24x7 (no "800" number, you'll pay long distance charges where they apply).

Features - iiii

Tandberg drives support a number of tape storage technologies including VXA, LTO, SLR, DLT and SDLT.  Through their acquisition of Exabtye, they offer a very robust set of drive offering that come in a large variety of internal and external form factors.

Overall Rating - %%%%

Good, technology, lots of options - a good choice for storing large, important files for the long term.