The Linear Advantage - Technology Information

Computer Technology Review,  Oct, 1999  by Runar Angelsen

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Linear tape recording technology has been used for computer data storage since the early 1970s. First, the magnetic tape functioned as the primary mass storage device for the computers systems, but as hard disks, with their random access capabilities, became more available, the magnetic tape replaced them as first line storage device. However, for storing huge amounts of sequential data, e.g., seismological test data, the magnetic tape is still the preferred storage medium, unrivalled when it come to cost and capacity.

Another area where the magnetic tape and linear recording has been able to keep pace with the market requirements is for a backup storage device. Measured by capacity, performance, reliability, and price, linear tape recording will, through new technology advances, strengthen its position and continue to be the leading technology for the coming years.

WHY BACKUP?

First, why is there even a requirement for backup of data in the first place? While it is true that the basic computer hardware continues to become more reliable, all of the traditional reasons for backing up data continue to be valid into the next century.

The computer in the late 1990s is now used for control/conduct of business at all levels in a corporation, from the receiving dock to the CEO's office. Data today is more valuable than ever and it continues to grow Focus is changing from the computer and its software to the data and how this is processed, stored, and retrieved. Data corruption or loss can occur because of many factors, including hardware and software failures, natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes, fire, theft, vandalism, human error, intentional erasure/corruption, and employee malice. Backing up your data insures that the original data, user applications, and user set-ups can be restored in a timely and efficient manner. This allows businesses that practice good backup procedures to be back online in hours or days, instead of weeks or months. The reason why magnetic tape has come into prominence for computer backup is simple; it provides the lowest cost and highest per unit storage capacity in a removable medium. Tape can also be easily incorporated into robotic handling systems for automated access to large amounts of data. Of course, low cost would not be attractive without reliability. Fortunately, tape storage is very reliable with high levels of ECC (Error Correction Code), robust media, and high Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) numbers.

WHY LINEAR TECHNOLOGY?

In general, data stored on tape and archived under proper environmental storage conditions can be expected to be recovered 20 years or more into the future. Although 20 years does not sound like a long time, consider that 20 years ago very few of us had access to a computer. None of us had a computer on our desktop and 5MB was considered a huge amount of storage

Why is linear tape the correct choice to secure the future? The answer lies in the recording technology itself and how it is applied, compared to its main competition, Helical Scan.

Linear tape recording is a technology that can efficiently cover a broad requirement range. Travan cartridge linear drives are designed for low consumer cost but, with relatively high storage capacity, SLR series drives are designed for broad compatibility and scalability for the entry-level market and upwards. DLT drives have the necessary capacity and performance to make them the defacto tape standard for midrange storage.

* MARKET

* Product range covers growth market

* TRAVAN, SLR, and DLT Product classes yield the right price/performance for each market segment

* TECHNOLOGY

* In comparison to other tape technologies (helical) linear technology has advantages in large available media areas and simplicity of design, which lead to:

* Lower cost

* Greater data integrity

* Better product futures

As we move on, first, we must investigate the trends in the tape storage market. Table 1 shows the estimated volumes broken down into four capacity segments.

The 4-9GB segment is declining steadily, moving forward; this is due to the general capacity increase of hard disks and increased pressure in the consumer market from removable storage such as Jaz, DVD, etc. Tape drives were never really a mainstream product for the desktop user and the attraction of adding a removable medium device such as DVD that can also play movies, etc. has sealed the fate of general purpose tape drives on the desktop.

Tandberg Data has always focused its business at the professional user segment, which in 1999 starts using tape products in the 10-19GB range. The professional user understands the need for backup and the backup strategy demands a device that can provide a low per GB storage cost in a removable medium. Here, DVD cannot compete.

The 10GB and above segments are all projected to grow, entering the next century. Tandberg Data further believes that the migration to higher per tape cartridge storage capacities will occur faster then currently forecasted by analysts.