Advantages & Disadvantages Of Magnetic Tape Storage Technology
I think there's an issue with my storage device, but I'm not sure
Start a free evaluation
It's no secret that data storage technology has come a long way in recent years. With so many options available, it's difficult to decide which storage device option is best for your business. For example, tape storage is largely used as a long-term backup device, however, before choosing it for your company, consider the magnetic tape backup advantages and disadvantages.
Top Summary: Tape storage is still widely used today, thanks to its many benefits. However, you should consider the pros and cons before deciding on your data backup method.
What's tape backup?
Tape backup is the process of copying data from a storage device into a magnetic tape. The copied data is written to the tape sequentially, one file after another. Accessing the information is also done sequentially, which means it is not possible to randomly find files saved on it.It’s a great option for off-site backup due to its durability and ease to store and manage.There are several manufacturers that not only fabricate and sell tapes, but they as well keep working on improving this well-established data storage technology.Some magnetic tape vendors include:
- IBM
- Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
- FujiFilm
- Sony
- Dell
- Quantum
- Spectra Logic
- XenData
- StarWind
- Strongbox Data
Advantages of magnetic tape backup
From its price to the security level offered, tapes offer great benefits as a backup method, including off-site and long-term backup.
Price & cost-effectivity
One advantage of tape backup is that it's very affordable. This makes tape an attractive option for businesses on a budget.Tape backup is also very cost-effective. The initial investment might be higher than some storage options, but over time it will save you money. Magnetic tape has a long shelf life and can be reused multiple times.
Portability
Magnetic tapes are small and lightweight, making them easy to transport off-site. This is important in the event of a disaster, such as a fire or a flood, when you need to quickly move your data to safety.
Reliability
Magnetic tapes are designed to withstand harsh conditions, although it is very recommended to keep them in proper rooms, with controlled humidity and temperature, to guarantee their expected lifespan. This makes them ideal for long-term storage. Also, you’ll still have both your tape and the data on it after up to 30 years.
Data security
The data on a magnetic tape cartridge is stored offline, which means that any cyber-attack and other online threats offer no risk to your tape backup.
Minimum power need
You don’t need a cooling system nor keep your tape connected to keep your data saved. Unless you access the data on it, tapes will not use energy.
Disadvantages of magnetic tape backup
Tape backup has a clear con to it that’s the fact it requires a special drive or tape library. However, this is not the only downside. If you need speed to save or restore data from your backup, or even if you want to find specific files on your device, then the tape backup is not the best choice for you.Here you have other tape backup disadvantages:
Low speed
One of the biggest disadvantages is that it's slow. Because data is written to tapes sequentially, it can take a long time to back up large amounts of data. And if you need to restore your data from a tape backup, it can also take a long time to retrieve the information you need.
Time-consuming
Backing up data to a magnetic tape cartridge can take several hours, depending on the amount of data being backed up. And it also reflects on the time you need to recover your data since the whole data recovery can take a long time. Here, your business may face downtime longer than expected by your disaster recovery plan.
TL; DR: When should you use tape backup? If you're looking for a reliable and affordable option for backing up your data, tape backup is a good choice. However, if you need to restore your data quickly, consider another storage option.
Tape backup is a popular storage option for businesses, but it's not the best option for everyone. Before deciding, weigh the pros and cons of using tape storage technology. SalvageData experts have the experience and proper tools to restore data from tape storage. Send your device to a free in-lab evaluation and have your data backup restored with our secure data recovery service.
Related services
These are the most commonly requested data recovery services. At our headquarters' cleanroom lab, our certified engineers conduct a thorough review of any type of physical storage device, determining if there is logical or physical damage and carefully restoring all of the lost files.ces.
External Drive Data Recovery
We recover data from both external SSD and HDD drives. Rely on certified experts to restore your important files from damaged or corrupted external drives.
Hard Drive Data Recovery
Recover data from all brands of HDD, PC hard drives, and hybrid disks. Our specialists ensure fast and secure recovery for any data loss scenario.
NAS Data Recovery
Recover data from NAS devices, including RAID configurations. Our team handles all types of NAS systems and ensures data recovery with minimal downtime.
RAID Data Recovery
Our RAID data recovery services cover RAID 0, 1, 5, 10, and other configurations. We offer expert solutions for failed, degraded, or corrupted RAID arrays.
SAN Data Recovery
Our team specializes in handling SAN devices from leading manufacturers like Dell EMC, HP, and IBM, ensuring efficient recovery with minimal disruption to your operations.
SD Card Data Recovery
Our recovery experts specialize in restoring data from SD and memory cards. We guarantee quick recovery with a no-data, no-charge policy.
SSD Data Recovery
Our data recovery experts handle all SSD data loss scenarios with advanced tools, ensuring maximum recovery with high-security protocols.
USB Flash Drive Data Recovery
Recover lost data from USB flash drives, regardless of the damage or brand. We offer free in-lab evaluations to assess data recovery needs.
If you’re unsure about which data recovery service to choose, let our team assist you in selecting the appropriate solutions. We understand the anxiety that comes with a sudden drive failure, and we are more prompt in our actions compared to other recovery service providers.