Are LTO-4 tapes compatible with other versions of LTO tape technology?

Are LTO-4 tapes compatible with other versions of LTO?

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Linear Tape-Open (LTO) technology, version 4, or LTO-4, is developed jointly by Hewlett Packard (HP) Co., IBM Corp. and Quantum Corp. The objective was to develop an open format that would provide users with multiple sources of products and media. LTO-4 was designed to be a single-reel media cartridge, and can store 1.6 TB of data at 2:1 compression. Previous generations, LTO-3 and LTO-2, can store 800 GB of data at 2:1 compression. LTO-4 is the fourth generation product on the Ultrium's six-generation roadmap. Future generations are expected to store up to 3.2 TB (LTO-5) and 6.4 TB (LTO-6) of compressed data with transfer rates of up to 540 MBps, compressed.

In terms of compatibility with other versions of LTO tape technology, LTO-4 media can only be read and written in an LTO-4 tape drive. LTO-4 can read LTO-2 and LTO-3 cartridges, but only LTO-3 media can be written to an LTO-4 tape drive. Archive shelf life of the LTO-4 cartridge is reported to be greater than 30 years.

Other versions of proprietary tape formats besides LTO also may have backward compatibility with each other, but typically not across product families. For example, the Oracle/Sun StorageTek T10000 series is not compatible with its previous generations, T9840 and T9940 tape media. But IBM TS1120 devices do support older format media, such as the 3590 series. Also, support can be an issue with proprietary tape drives and media, especially when used in libraries.

Whatever technology you choose to purchase, my advice would be to carefully study the compatibility charts to ensure the devices and media will operate properly, and that they are supported in your data backup storage environment.

For more information on LTO tape technology:

This was first published in March 2010

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