Even with the rapid advancements in digital storage technologies, tape storage remains essential for long-term data storage. Linear Tape-Open (LTO) Ultrium is a leading format in tape storage, known for its reliability and scalability, making it a preferred choice for data archiving.
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LTO Ultrium Roadmap
The LTO Ultrium roadmap shows the continuous development and future improvements in tape storage technology. Here are the key stages and expected advancements in the LTO Ultrium series:
LTO-6 (2012): Provides up to 2.5TB of native storage and up to 6.25TB of compressed storage. This generation brought significant improvements in capacity and speed.
LTO-7 (2015): Offers up to 6TB of native storage and up to 15TB of compressed storage, doubling the capacity from the previous generation.
LTO-8 (2017): Increases capacity to 12TB of native storage and up to 30TB of compressed storage, meeting the growing data storage needs.
LTO-9 (2021): Delivers up to 18TB of native storage and up to 45TB of compressed storage, reflecting the rapid data growth.
LTO-10 (Projected 2025): Projected to provide up to 36TB of native storage and up to 90TB of compressed storage, marking a substantial leap in storage capabilities.
LTO-11 (Projected 2028): Expected to offer up to 72TB of native storage and up to 180TB of compressed storage, continuing the trend of significant capacity increases.
LTO-12 (Projected 2031): Aims for up to 144TB of native storage and up to 360TB of compressed storage, ensuring scalability for massive data volumes.
LTO-13 (Projected 2034): Anticipated to deliver up to 288TB of native storage and up to 720TB of compressed storage, addressing future data storage challenges.
LTO-14 (Projected 2037): Foreseen to achieve up to 576TB of native storage and up to 1,440TB of compressed storage, pushing the boundaries of tape storage technology
5 Saving Tips - LTO
Buy Bundles: Purchasing LTO drives in bundles that include additional tapes and necessary accessories can be more cost-effective. For example, some bundles offer a tape drive along with a HBA card and multiple tapes at a price close to that of the drive alone.
Consider Used or Refurbished Drives: Opting for used or refurbished LTO drives can provide significant savings. Ensure you buy from reputable vendors who offer warranties and have a history of providing reliable refurbished equipment. It's essential to confirm the drive is in good working condition before purchase.
Leverage Trade-In Programs: Some vendors offer trade-in programs where you can exchange your older LTO drives for discounts on newer models. This can help offset the cost of upgrading to the latest generation of LTO drives.
Skip Generations Strategically: When planning upgrades, consider skipping generations to save costs. For instance, upgrading from LTO-5 directly to LTO-7 provided a more significant capacity and performance increase than upgrading to LTO-6, making it a more economical choice in the long run.
Buy During Sales or Clearance Events: Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and clearance events, especially when new LTO generations are released. Older models often drop in price, making it an ideal time to purchase at a lower cost.
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