On Sep 7, 2007, at 9:42 AM, John C Dury wrote:
...Any LTO-4 libraries more reliable than others? Do tapes last 5 years? ...
Tape life is limited by usage. Manufacturers will quote various number on archival lifetime (sitting on shelf; usually 30 years), number of load/unload operations, and number of passes of the media over the head. See the Availability section in http:// www.storagetek.com/products/product_page48.html for an example. An HP Ultrium warranty statement (http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/ TechSupport/Document.jsp? locale=en_US&taskId=120&prodSeriesId=34648&prodTypeId=12169&objectID=lpg 50212) is "one million passes or 260 full back ups (FVB) or combination of FVB and Restores (whichever is soonest)". Also, see article http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/tip/ 0,289483,sid5_gci1253102,00.html on LTO lifespan for perspective. Further, a given technology may quickly become obsolete, rather than wear out: an LTO-4 cartridge finally taken off the shelf in 2037 will be a knickknack rather than usable media. Richard Sims
