Data Density and Security with LTO Ultrium Tape Technology

The linear tape open (LTO) is a popular and successful backup tape format that has proved through its outstanding reliability, performance and high level performance. 3 leading major companies’ quantum, IBM and HP jointly introduced the LTO tape format in 1997. The LTO tape format provides its users high level of performance, robustness along with multi-vendor compatibility. The linear format has been time tested and has delivered efficient data backup solutions. In the linear technology, only few are the moving parts that increase the durability and therefore, reduce the maintenance cost. The features that maximize the performance and capacity of the LTO tape format are the data compression, ECC "efficiency error correction code", and the advanced "timing based servo".

The LTO format is also known as "ultrium". The LTO cartridges have single reel and their design is very much similar to the DLT tape cartridge, 3590 and 3480 backup tapes. The physical similarity of the ultrium cartridge with the other tape formats means that the LTO tape cartridge can be adopted by the manufacturers of tape library at relatively lower cost.

Therefore, the design of the LTO ultrium tape cartridge makes it more advantageous and the investment of the enterprise is protected. The process of recording in LTO ultrium format is "serpentine / linear". This recording process is same as that of the DLT tape format. While the other tape formats AIT, DAT use the "helical scan" method for data recording. The recording media of LTO is ½ inch and the cartridge size is approx. 4 inches square.

The data recording in the LTO format is done on sequence of tracks. The tracks alternately run backward and forward along the tape reel. This methodology of data recording is called "serpentine recording". The LTO tape drives and the tape cartridges are carefully and well engineered to avoid and reduce the undue wear & tear of the tape cartridge. The tape load process of the LTO ultrium drive is very gentle. The edge of tape reel is prevented because of the chamfering of "tape guide rollers". Therefore, the LTO ultrium tape cartridges are more reliable in comparison to the other backup tape formats.