What's On Tape? The InStock Blog

Tape libraries are essential for those looking to have long-term storage of backups or archives. Many people wonder why use tape libraries? A tape library is an important storage device containing a number of tape drives. Because of its importance, it is crucial to consider a number of things before purchasing a tape backup system. Tape libraries are considered a step up from autoloaders, a less expensive tape backup device that only has one robotic arm to move one tape drive. While tape libraries are more costly, they offer a much higher capacity, additional features, and are more reliable that autoloaders. When it comes to tape libraries deciding what features are key can be a daunting task, but there are some factors individuals can use to make a decision. When you need to archive your data, and you don’t necessarily need to access it right now, but when you need it, you need it, that’s when you need to start thinking about tape backup and storage.

The StorageTek T10000 Tape Drive data storage system is the ultimate in data storage and security. With this system all of your data can be securely backed up no matter how large your storage needs are. With advances in tape storage technology, you can now fit 5 times the storage capacity in the same space as before. If you have never had tape storage before, then the ease of use, reliability, and small size of tape libraries can be a major benefit.

If you are wondering if the LTO4 tape drive can handle your data – we offer 12 reasons to select the LTO 4 Tape Drive. With the glut of easily transferred information comes the necessity for more efficient, larger, and faster methods of storing data. While servers and personal computers store plenty of data, the possibility of a system crash is always a daunting one. Backing up your data is a necessary precaution to losing critical business and personal information to natural disaster or power surges. One of the best means of storing invaluable data remains the LTO4 Tape Drive. Here are 12 of the many benefits to using an LTO4 as a means of keeping and maintaining data. They include:

Is the Dell ML6000 Tape Library series right for your company? The ML6000 is a modular system designed to protect your company's valuable information - intelligently. It provides long-term investment security, a convenient self-diagnostic programming system, and the versatility to adapt to any software. Dell developed this series to provide midrange environments the ability to improve backup processes. The Dell ML6000 Tape Library has been an important asset for companies since it was launched in 2005, and it can be for yours as well. 

On September 17, 2011, InStock's founder, Steve Cline, continued his support of Arizona youth athletic programs by participating in the 1st Annual The Show Basketball Club Golf Tournament. Accompanied by Dave Cole, Scott Bavousett and Bruce Bauer they hit the links at Lone Tree Golf Club in Chandler, Arizona. The guys are pictured here with Kelsey Miranda and Christina Canez, members of The Show's 8th Grade team.

Tape libraries and tape drives - for data storage, archiving and backup - have been around for almost half a century now.  Like all other technologies, tape continues to evolve and remains a strong viable solution for storage and archiving needs.  But with other storage alternatives that are now available like cloud, VTL and disk, is tape still the best choice for businesses?

When running a medical facility, law firm, software company or other business that relies on data files, it is extremely important to have a solid disaster recovery backup in place. Although there are many suitable options available for backup, tape recovery may not be the first one mentioned, but it continues to remain viable for long term data storage and disaster recovery. If you are looking at multiple backup alternatives, you need to determine how a tape storage strategy will work into your overall plan. 

Son – Daily Backup: Four backup media are labeled for each day of the week - Monday through Thursday, for example. The “Son” media is reused each week on the day matching its label.

Protecting your data with tape encryption can be confusing. Here are some best practices to help clear the confusion. Today's data storage and archiving compliance regulations have directly affected the way businesses ensure the security of their stored data. Meeting encryption regulations helps to decrease data security against breaches and ensure that your firm remains in compliance.  

• Tapes require much less resources and power than disks, which waste a lot of time on de-duplication and reduplication.
• The markets that are using massive amounts of raw data are growing. From military video surveillance to entertainment and the media industry, all are driving demand for larger archive capabilities.
• Using tape backup security is also cost effective, costing less up-front and over time to operate, while offering denser storage than disk.
• 80% of the world’s big data is stored on tape.
• Tape backup security is reliable, and has long-life. It offers 10 to -17th up to 10 to the -19th bits in error correction, basically meaning that for any error in 1 bit of data, it can recover and correct for that error into the minutest of details, thereby maintaining the durability and quality of your data.
• New technology is improving upon the recoverability of tape and helping keep them in intact, such as Media Life Management and the T-Series from Spectra Logic.                                                                            
• Tapes are still used as the quickest method to read and write data.