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IMO the biggest problem with tapes is getting data off of them. The LTO standard only has compatibility for 2 generations back (i.e. an LTO-6 drive can read LTO
by ndiddy 5y ago
IMO the biggest problem with tapes is getting data off of them. The LTO standard only has compatibility for 2 generations back (i.e. an LTO-6 drive can read LTO-5 and LTO-4 tapes, but nothing before then). This means that if you have data you want to store for 30 years, you will also need to factor in the difficulty of finding a working tape drive and a computer that can operate it. With optical media, a new Blu-Ray drive can read a CD-R from the 90s so this is less of an issue.
- uniqueuid 5y agoTrue. But on the flip side, the LTO spec guarantees that this two-generation backwards compatibility will remain for the forseeable future. As the article mentions, it's possible that optical discs will become unpopular and cease to exist completely. With tapes, you're in the same boat as a bucket full of institutions to whom archives are VERY important. That's a big plus!
- PaulHoule 5y agoThe supply of new media for LTO hasn't been stable... https://www.theregister.com/2019/05/31/lto_patent_case_hits_lto8_supply/ https://www.theregister.com/2019/05/31/lto_patent_case_hits_...