Find The Right Type Of Backup Tape
Backup tape is cheap and easy to use. Over the years tape types have changed to keep up with the demand for data copying at a higher speed and efficiency. Digital linear tape was manufactured in the 1980s and was similar to a reel to reel recording process. Millions of users make the statement that this is an acceptable form of tape data backup. Linear tape, developed in 1997, is an open backup format. This allows for compatibility between tapes and drives that may be distributed by different companies. Previously the backup user had to use components designed by the same manufacturer. Recording with the linear method uses a 0.5 inch magnetic tape. Electronic modules are used to increase speed and storage capacity.
AIT or Advanced intelligent tape is an 8mm helical scan tape recording smaller than most other tape cartridges. It is also the most like the tapes used in video recording systems like camcorders. A memory chip in each cassette tape formats the data and stores it with impressive speed. The tapes load faster and use the IBM advanced lossless data compression which is designed for multiple data types and compressions. VXA and Travan are both other backup tape types. VXA offers different speeds and transfer rates for data backup. It is designed to decrease the amount of wear on the tape drive itself. Travan is geared toward the small business or personal office user. It is inexpensive and appropriate for remote locations.
Tapes used for data backup can be stored for a relatively long amount of time. Thirty years is the average for tapes that are well stored and maintained. Heat and humidity play a large role in the breakdown of magnetic tape material. Room temperature is best for tapes and care should be taken to be sure that acceptable heat and moisture levels are not surpassed. Tapes should also be replaced regularly to avoid serious wear which can lead to breakage and data loss. Five to ten years is a good average for tape replacement to ensure the best quality and function. Tapes can be reused over and over to avoid a constant build up of tapes but they do have a life span and it's always better not to take anymore chances than necessary.
Testing your tapes is recommended for proper maintenance. Magnetic tape is known for its reliability and low failure rate but it's a good idea to pay attention to your tape quality over time. Often there will be obvious signs to indicate your tapes may be breaking down. Errors may become more apparent and regular. This should not be overlooked, especially if there are no other tape archives with the same data. Of course there are alternative data storage methods to tape and a little investigation may present one that is better suited to your data backup requirements. Tape drives go hand in hand with the tape backup method. A tape drive is essentially a device that is used to store the information copied. Tape drives are the physical machine that does the actual copying of the data from one source to the tape. There are a few different ways tape drives can work, depending on the tapes used and the method implemented. Of course investing the time and money to create tapes of copied data would be useless in the end if they were to be destroyed. For this reason storing tapes offsite is recommended. Too often the common mistake made by most is storing the copies in the same office or house as the primary copy. This proves pointless should a fire happen. Tape is a traditionally trusted method because it has proven its worth time and again. There should be little problem in finding the backup tape type and drive to equip you for all of your data backups.
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