How do you store data tapes?

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How do you store data tapes

Data tapes, also known as magnetic tapes, are a type of storage media that has been used for decades to archive large amounts of data. While newer technologies like cloud storage and solid-state drives have become more popular for day-to-day operations, tapes are still commonly used for long-term data archiving due to their high capacity, portability, and reliability.

Why use data tapes for archiving?

Data tapes have several key advantages that make them well-suited for long-term data archiving:

  • High capacity – Modern LTO (Linear Tape-Open) tapes can store up to 30TB of uncompressed data per cartridge. This allows large amounts of data to be stored in a small physical footprint.
  • Long shelf life – Tape cartridges can last for 30 years or more if stored properly. This makes them suitable for archiving data that only needs infrequent access but must be retained for regulatory compliance.
  • Portability – Tapes are compact and rugged so they can be easily transported offsite for backup and disaster recovery purposes.
  • Low cost – The cost per gigabyte of storage is very low compared to primary storage like SSDs.
  • Reliability – When stored properly, tape has a very low rate of data loss over time compared to other media.

These capabilities have made data tape an essential component of backup and archiving strategies for organizations across many industries including healthcare, finance, scientific research, and more.

Choosing suitable storage conditions

While data tapes are resilient, proper storage is still essential to preserve your archived data over long periods. Here are some key considerations for tape storage conditions:

  • Stable temperature and humidity – Fluctuations in temperature and humidity can cause tape media to expand and contract, leading to read errors. Tapes should be stored around 70°F and 40-60% relative humidity.
  • Clean air – Dust particles, smoke, and other contaminants can accumulate on tape surfaces and degrade the quality over time. Use storage conditions with clean, filtered air.
  • Low-light environments – Direct sunlight and excessive light exposure accelerate the aging process of tapes. Store media in dark rooms when possible.
  • Proper air circulation – Stagnant air can lead to unwanted moisture accumulation. Ensure storage rooms have gentle air circulation.
  • Vibration-free – Excessive vibration from equipment, transportation, etc. can disrupt stored data on tapes. Choose vibration-isolated storage when possible.

Data centers and commercial tape vaults are ideal locations because they are specifically engineered to maintain stable temperature, humidity, and air quality levels.

Organizing and tracking your tape library

Careful organization is critical to running an efficient tape archiving operation. Here are some best practices to follow:

  • Catalog all tapes in a database with their type, ID number, contents, date stored, and assigned storage location.
  • Use a consistent labeling scheme on the outside of each tape for easy visual identification.
  • Track tapes taken offsite for vaulting to have full accountability.
  • Periodically audit and reconcile your tape library against the catalog to check for misplaced media.
  • Manage tape rotation to use older media first and introduce newer tapes on a first-in, first-out basis.

Software tools like tape management systems can automate and simplify many of these cataloging, tracking, and reporting activities.

Storing data tape cartridges

The actual storage of tape cartridges within your chosen environment requires additional planning. Here are some key best practices:

  • Use appropriate shelving and racks designed for secure tape storage. Proper support helps avoid damage.
  • Arrange cartridges neatly and avoid overpacking shelves to minimize handling during retrieval.
  • Map shelf and slot locations in your database when assigning tape locations.
  • Separate tapes into recovery point sets for easier retrieval of related data.
  • Store encrypted tapes separately from unencrypted ones and track locations accordingly.

Commercial data tape racks and shelving units optimize storage density while allowing adequate ventilation and organization. Seek models rated for the weight of your media.

Common storage methods

Some popular methods for physically arranging and storing tape cartridges include:

  • Vertical racks – Cartridges are stacked vertically in slots or small shelves. Simple but dense storage.
  • Horizontal racks – Tapes lie flat and overlap horizontally like books on a shelf.
  • Rotational bins – Cartridges sit in rotating carousels or drum-shaped bins for easy browsing.
  • Siloes – Automated robotic silo units store tapes in individual slots and retrieve them on demand.

Handling precautions

Proper handling is vital to avoid physical damage and contamination of archived tapes:

  • Always wear clean gloves when handling tapes to avoid skin oils and dirt.
  • Grip cartridges on the rigid plastic housing, not the actual magnetic tape inside.
  • Never stack cartridges or apply pressure which can deform the tape.
  • Return tapes to protective cases immediately after removal from drives.
  • Use antistatic wrist straps when handling tapes to discharge static electricity.
  • Keep work areas clean and avoid food, drinks, or tobacco around tapes.

Staff training on proper tape handling precautions helps reinforce good practices.

Environmental monitoring

Active monitoring helps ensure your tape storage conditions remain within acceptable ranges:

  • Use calibrated thermometers and hygrometers to measure temperature and humidity.
  • Log readings regularly to identify any fluctuations or trends.
  • Install temperature and humidity sensors with alerts to notify for out-of-bounds readings.
  • Use air particle counters to monitor air quality and filter efficacy.
  • Conduct periodic hygiene audits to check for contaminants and organize improvements.

Data center monitoring takes this to the next level with extensive environmental sensing and automated failover mechanisms like HVAC backups.

Cleaning and maintenance

Like any equipment, tape storage systems require periodic maintenance for optimal function:

  • Drive cleaning – Use special tape head cleaner cartridges to remove accumulated debris from tape drive heads.
  • Drive alignment – Periodically align drives to calibrate write/read heads for best performance.
  • Media inspection – Visually inspect tape surfaces for damage and debris aggregation.
  • Tape retensioning – Use retensioning machines to remove slack and evenly rewind tapes.
  • Component replacement – Replace worn-out mechanical parts like gripper arms when needed.

Follow manufacturer recommended maintenance intervals. Thorough cleaning and alignment improve read accuracy and extend media life.

Recovering data from damaged tapes

If tapes suffer physical damage or degraded conditions, specialized recovery services can retrieve the data:

  • Assess damage – Evaluate failure modes like mold, water damage, snapped tape, etc.
  • Repair mechanisms – Replace or fix unreadable tape sections through splicing.
  • Bake tapes – Moderate heat can temporarily improve old tape pliability.
  • Transplant data – Move data from a damaged tape to new media.
  • Try compatible drives – Different tape drive models may have success.

Salvaging data from damaged tapes takes specialized expertise but can rescue valuable archived records.

Migrating data to new media

As storage technologies change, you may need to migrate archive data to new media:

  • Rewrite tapes to next-gen formats to improve capacity.
  • Consolidate data across multiple tapes onto newer high-density cartridges.
  • Convert tape backups into disk-based archives if needed.
  • Maintain tapes for legacy systems while migrating other data.
  • Update databases and catalogs to reflect media migrations.

With careful planning, tape migration allows you to upgrade storage media without disruption.

Conclusion

Data tape remains a reliable, cost-effective solution for long-term data archiving. Paying attention to temperature, humidity, organization, handling, and maintenance helps ensure stored data stays pristine and accessible over decades. While requiring physical security considerations, tape’s portability also supports vital offsite data protection. With proper care applied, data tapes continue earning an important role in the modern data center.