Tape drives are currently leading the way when it comes to the latest backup archiving technology. Choosing your tape drive can be a challenging task, especially when it comes to finding one that not only meets your every need, but also one that is suitable for your system. By first looking at your requirements and system information, you can then be sure to make the right choice when it comes to choosing your HD tape drive.
Capacity and Compression
You should make sure that your tape drive is fully capable of storing all of your data, with extra room available to accommodate for larger files and excess information. Seeing as tape drives compress data, they are able to store more data than your average drive without taking up valuable disk space. Many manufacturers state both the native capacity and compressed capacity to help consumers make wise choices when they are trying to get a tape drive that is right for their specific needs. Hard files such as video and audio formats aren’t really compressible, so if you plan on storing a mass amount of data in this format then you will need to get a larger drive.
Deciding What Transfer Rate You Need
Many people choose to perform their backup jobs at night, as often these are the jobs which require the drive to be in use for a long period of time without distraction. When purchasing your tape drive, ensure that you look at the transfer rate. A drive which is capable of transferring 400 GB per night will do around 30 GB per hour. If your office is only shut at night for 8 hours before the drive is in use again, then you would need to opt for a drive with a higher transfer rate if you use the drive on a regular basis. Another thing that you need to consider when purchasing your tape drive is the efficiency rate. Tape drives need to stream data at a sufficient rate to keep them operating at maximum efficiency. Failure to do so will lead them to a stop-start motion which can be damaging to the drive itself if done for a long period of time. For this reason, opting for a drive with an incredibly high transfer rate is not always the best decision.
Worldwide distributor of HD tape drive products. They are one of the most reputable tape drive suppliers in the industry.