Boost to LTO compatibility
Boost to LTO compatibility
The Linear Tape Open (LTO) program has received a major boost with the launch of a new compliance verification process by LTO technology providers Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Seagate.
The LTO format verification process is believed to be the industry's first independently administered and executed process, and is designed to test LTO-based products so that data can be read on similar tape formats from different manufacturers.
LTO technology is a new open tape architecture that is designed to bring to market a new generation of tape storage products which will surpass current tape capacity and performance benchmarks. One of the formats, the Ultrium technology, uses a single-reel media with capacities of up to 200GB (100GB native) and data-transfer rates of up to 40MB per second (20MB/s native) with a 2:1 compression ratio.
The technology combines both linear multi-channel and bi-directional formats with enhancements in servo technology, data compression, and track layout and error correction code. The other format, Accelis, is a fast-access, dual-reel implementation designed to offer data retrieval in less than 10 seconds. Both formats have an identified four-generation roadmap for future capacity and performance enhancements.
US-based Measurement Analysis Corporation (MAC) will perform all the technical testing and analysis for the new verification process, and while the LTO program gives licensees wide latitude in implementing mechanical, electrical and recording designs, MAC will test to determine strict adherence to format specification impacting the ability to read and write Accelis or Ultrium cartridges.