LTO Tape Backup Recommendations?

Stirling Westrup · December 21, 2023

I currently have a 30T NAS storing (among other things) an extensive video library (hence not particularly compressible). It and all other computers in the house are regularly backed up to a 45TB raided backup server, but that's where my backup scheme stops. I don't want to go with cloud storage as a) none of them give guarantees of data safety and b) costs per month for 45T are prohibitive to my budget.

Instead I'd like to go with a one-time purchase of an LTO tape drive and a bunch of tape cartridges. But I know next to nothing about the technology. Ideally, of course, I'd get a brand new LTO-9 drive and a few cartridges and go with that, but that seems both extremely expensive, and would seemingly require SAS support in my backup server (which only has SATA).

So, what are the best buys per dollar in LTO drive+cartridges right now? Also, should I consider buying something used or refurbished off of eBay or the like? Is that asking for trouble, or are these devices highly reliably, even if used? All suggestions welcome!

Agall · December 21, 2023

14 minutes ago, Stirling Westrup said:

I currently have a 30T NAS storing (among other things) an extensive video library (hence not particularly compressible). It and all other computers in the house are regularly backed up to a 45TB raided backup server, but that's where my backup scheme stops. I don't want to go with cloud storage as a) none of them give guarantees of data safety and b) costs per month for 45T are prohibitive to my budget.

Instead I'd like to go with a one-time purchase of an LTO tape drive and a bunch of tape cartridges. But I know next to nothing about the technology. Ideally, of course, I'd get a brand new LTO-9 drive and a few cartridges and go with that, but that seems both extremely expensive, and would seemingly require SAS support in my backup server (which only has SATA).

So, what are the best buys per dollar in LTO drive+cartridges right now? Also, should I consider buying something used or refurbished off of eBay or the like? Is that asking for trouble, or are these devices highly reliably, even if used? All suggestions welcome!

What I use at work is a Quantum Superloader 3 and LTO-6 drives. I've also got a single tape drive as a backup, but the Superloader works pretty well on its own. Connects via SAS iirc to the management server, but I can confirm more details or go deeper if need be. Drives are ~2.5TB each and pretty common/cheap.

FloRolf · December 21, 2023

12 minutes ago, Stirling Westrup said:

extensive video library

Are we talking about movies that can be ripped/downloaded again or are do you make videos professionally and those are for clients/a YT Channel/etc?

Because tbh, I wouldn't really try to hyper secure content like movies when they are relatively easy to get again. If it's latter, then you should probably consider Cloud Backups for the most important stuff.

manikyath · December 21, 2023

the thing about buying older gen LTO stuff, is that it's mostly a balance of how recent stuff is available, and what is being asked for it.

LTO is *very* enterprise-oriented, essentially the "single tape drives" are more an afterthought than they are an intended usecase.

but.. for most of your "static" stuff, just find a combination of second hand drive and new off the shelf tapes, write stuff to tape, document what is on which tape, and store the tapes in an airtight metal container.

then for the dynamic stuff, ideally you rotate between 2 or 3 "sets" of tapes and make weekly backups on tape that then go in a metal container as well.

PS; if your local bank still offers small safes, those are *perfect* for off-site storage of tapes, they tend to be fairly temperature and humidity controlled, and basicly everything is grounded metal, so it's VERY good at blocking radio waves that may theoretically degrade the magnetic data.