diff --git a/docs/tape-backup.rst b/docs/tape-backup.rst new file mode 100644 index 00000000..54babf9d --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/tape-backup.rst @@ -0,0 +1,32 @@ +Tape Backup +=========== + +Our tape backup solution provides a easy way to store datastore +contents on a tape. This increases data safety because you get: + +- an additional copy of the data +- to a different media type (tape) +- to an additional location (you can move tape offsite) + +Tape backups do not provide random access to the stored +data. Instead, you need to restore the data to disk before you can +access it again. + + +Tape Technology Primer +---------------------- + +.. _Linear Tape Open: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_Tape-Open + +As of 2021, the only broadly available tape technology standard is +`Linear Tape Open`_, and different vendors offers LTO Ultrium tape +drives and autoloaders. + +In general, LTO tapes offer the following advantages: + +- Durable (30 years) +- High Capacity (12 TB) +- Relatively low cost per TB +- Cold Media +- Movable (storable inside vault) +- Multiple vendors (for both media and drives)