Linear Tape-Open Technology (LTO) enables organizations to economically store data for the long term. LTO is a tape-based data storage solution designed in an “open” format technology that allows manufacturing by any vendor that wishes to license the technology. Technology provider companies HP, IBM and Quantum created the LTO Program.

LTO tape is being used for demanding storage applications, including theatrical film and surveillance video storage. The product is used to protect valuable sets of data and to securely retain data for long periods.

GPN caught up with the LTO Program’s Shawn Brume at the recent ASIS International security conference in Atlanta. Brume is a Business Line Manager for the Data Protection and Retention portfolio at IBM Storage Development Labs in Tucson, Ariz. Brume told GPN that LTFS tape on the LTO archives system has a “virtually unlimited life.”

Brume advises government administrators: “They need to look at the long term for their data storage needs. Administrators should make sure that their data storage setup is file-system-based, and they should plan on retaining the data forever.” Brume says that it is just a matter of time before a government mandate is issued that requires that surveillance video and other sensitive data be retained by government agencies for an exceedingly long time.

A few other features of the LTO system:

The Ultrium tape format specification is LTO Technology optimized for high capacity and performance. The Ultrium format uses a single-reel tape cartridge to maximize capacity, and is suited for backup, restore and archive applications.

LTO Ultrium-6 technology provides up to 400-megabytes-per-second data transfer rates. One LTO-6 cartridge can hold 6.25 terabytes of data. For data storage purposes, a terabyte equals 1,000 gigabytes.

The system’s Linear Tape File System (LTFS) allows users to view and access tape files just like disk or other removable media files. The LTO partitioning feature (starting with LTO generation 5) separates tape into two partitions, one acting as an index of content on the tape and the other storing the actual data. With LTFS, users are able to access files through any operating system, and sort and save data easily.

This video discusses linear tape-open (LTO) technology with the linear file tape system (LTFS). The system simplifies storage of digital surveillance video, storage in the cloud and retention of broadcast video.

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