3 common questions about tape backup

Why tape backup is still a great choice

Magnetic tape is a popular means of data storage, but there are still many questions that people have before choosing tape for their backup and archiving needs. We have selected 3 of the most commonly asked questions and answered them.

1. Why should I choose tape over disk storage? Surely tape is going to be replaced by digital?

There are a lot of arguments for both the pros and cons of tape and digital storage. Ideally, however, each has its place in a good backup and storage strategy. A tape is a good option for long-term backup, archiving and storage of critical data, while disk’s advantage is its immediate availability and recovery time. Using the combined advantages of both media will offer a more comprehensive and inclusive backup solution.

2. Why is tape better suited to long-term archiving?

Magnetic tape has long been proven to be exceedingly reliable. Under the right conditions, magnetic tape can last for up to 30 years, compared to disk storage whose average lifespan is about 3 to 5 years. This makes tape ideal for data that needs to be stored for long periods of time, such as in cases for compliance.

3. Which is cheaper – tape or digital storage?

This is a difficult question to answer because costs vary depending on the amount of data stored and the requirements for the data.

Online digital backup is often seen as more affordable – business simply pays a monthly or annual fee and they have access to their storage space. Costs for the service vary according to how much storage space you need and the requirements of your business, however, there is also a cost for the bandwidth required to stream all of your files online.

Local digital backup requires both hardware and resources to maintain it. As with online storage, the cost grows with the amount of storage space required.

In terms of cost per MB, a tape is actually the most cost-effective medium, making it better suited to large amounts of data. Associated costs for tape include the hardware required to backup to tape, as well as the cost of storing the physical tapes.

If you would like to know more about tape backup and its suitability in your business, please feel free to contact us to discuss your needs.