Magnetic tape storage has been around since the 1950s, and it is still one of the most popular storage media today. Its popularity comes from how reliable the technology is, as well as its low maintenance cost and high data storage capacity.
The typical storage capacity of a magnetic tape is from 1 to 16 terabytes (TB). The question some business owners may ask is if the tape is the best backup technology for them. After all, what’s the maximum magnetic tape storage capacity?
While it’s a relatively old technology, magnetic tapes aren’t outmoded. Yearly updates and improvements guarantee that magnetic tapes are a solid storage technology, trusted to keep the data backup of any type of business, under any regulation and industry requirements (such as HIPAA).
What is the maximum data amount that can be stored on a magnetic tape?
The typical storage capacity of a magnetic tape is 100 terabytes (TB). The benefits of storing data on magnetic tape include its cost-effectiveness and large storage capacity.
However, magnetic tapes with up to 580 TB storage capacity are available for those who need a lot of data space for their backups. Due to its cost-effectiveness, magnetic tape is a great backup technology choice here.
Since December 2020 IBM and Fujifilm manufacture a magnetic tape with 580 TB maximum storage capacity. According to IBM “580 TB is equivalent to 786,977 CDs stacked, 944 meters high, which is taller than Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.” That a lot of data is safely stored.
Magnetic tape backup storage FAQ
What are the benefits of storing data on magnetic tape?
The benefits of storing data on magnetic tape include its cost-effectiveness, reliability, and large storage capacity.
What are the types of magnetic tape?
- Adhesive backing magnetic tape
- Traditional back magnetic tape
Each backing tape is used for different circ*mstances, making them stronger and more suitable for different purposes.
How do magnetic tapes store the data?
Only one side of the ribbon stores the data on magnetic tapes.
All information is written sequentially, making it slow to read/write data.
How fast are magnetic tapes?
Since data is written sequentially on tapes, finding a specific file on it can be time-consuming.
To write data, it’ll depend on the tape you’re using and the amount of data you’re transferring. The more data, the more time is required to finish the process.
How can I prevent data loss from my magnetic tape?
Magnetic tapes are reliable and very hard to damage data storage devices. However, you can’t let it out in the wild and expect it will survive.
To make your data and device safe, as well as to prevent data loss, place your tapes in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and strong magnets.
What are some uses of magnetic tape?
Magnetic tape’s initial purpose was to save computer data. Later, several industries, such as music and film producers, used them as well.
Today, you can use magnetic tape for your business’s long-term backup, for example, since it’s a backup method compliant with most security regulations.
TL; DR: The current maximum tape storage capacity is 580 TB. However, the technology is not stationary. Manufacturers are still exploring ways to improve the data storage technology and bring better solutions for businesses that rely on magnetic tapes as their long-term or off-site backup method.
Although it is very rare, you still can learn you lost your tape data. Luckily, SalvageData experts are able to restore magnetic tape data.
Contact us 24/7 for emergency tape data recovery service.
FAQs
TL; DR: The current maximum tape storage capacity is 580 TB.
What is the maximum storage of magnetic tape? ›
Magnetic tapes can hold anywhere between 1 to 15 terabytes of data per tape in a compact format, making them great for long term storage such as the archival of system backups that includes large files.
What is the maximum size of tape storage? ›
The most popular format for data storage, LTO (linear tape open), has a current capacity of 19 terabytes of native storage and up to 45 TB of compressed data.
What is the storage capacity of magnetic storage devices? ›
Common Magnetic Storage Device Examples
HDDs consist of one or more rigid, rotating magnetic disks called platters. They typically have capacities ranging from a few gigabytes (GB) to several terabytes (TB).
How much data can a tape drive store? ›
The current generation LTO-9 tape offers 18TB of raw capacity that rises to 45TB with compression. LTO-10 promises to double that, with the 14th generation of LTO set to target 546TB of native storage. Already, though, systems such as IBM's TS4500, supports up to 2.63 exabytes of compressed data.
What is the maximum storage capacity? ›
A yottabyte is the largest unit approved as a standard size by the International System of Units (SI). The yottabyte is about 1 septillion bytes -- or, as an integer, 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 bytes. The storage volume is equivalent to a quadrillion gigabytes (GB) or a million trillion megabytes.
How do you calculate the storage capacity of magnetic tape? ›
Storage capacity is nothing but the product of length and the data recording density. Magnetic tape is commonly used sequential-access secondary device. Data recording density is measured in bytes per inch. ... Bytes per inch=bpi.
Does tape storage degrade? ›
Some manufacturers claim that tape can last up to thirty years, making it a suitable medium for archiving. The problem with that number is that magnetic tapes only last that long under absolutely optimum environmental conditions. That means storing magnetic tapes in environments with stable humidity and temperatures.
How big is the storage capacity of DAT tape? ›
The format was designed for audio use, but through the ISO Digital Data Storage standard was adopted for general data storage, storing from 1.3 to 80 GB on a 60 to 180 meter tape depending on the standard and compression.
How much data can you put on a tape? ›
For computer data storage, the tape holds from 2.5GB to 5GB depending on the system.
Storage devices
| Storage device | Magnetic storage: Hard Disc Drive (HDD) |
|---|
| Advantages | Relatively cheap per unit of storage. Fast access and retrieval times compared to other storage devices. |
| Disadvantages | Can be easily damaged, will slow down and eventually break over time. Slower access than Solid State Drives. |
1 more rowThe amount of storage on a hard drive can vary widely depending on the model and manufacturer. Currently, it is common to find hard drives with capacities ranging from 500 GB to 10 TB or more.
What is a magnetic storage device that stores large amount of data? ›
Hard disk is an hardware component which is used to store large amounts of data. The primary characteristics of hard drive are its capacity and performance.
What is the maximum capacity of magnetic tape? ›
The typical storage capacity of a magnetic tape is from 1 to 16 terabytes (TB).
How much storage is on a magnetic tape? ›
Like the hard disk and the transistor, magnetic tape has advanced enormously over the decades. The first commercial digital-tape storage system, IBM's Model 726, could store about 1.1 megabytes on one reel of tape. Today, a modern tape cartridge can hold 15 terabytes.
Is magnetic tape storage still used? ›
Tape storage has come a long way since 1928, and it's no wonder that it's still in use. Magnetic tape is portable, the air gap makes it resistant to cyber attacks if stored properly, and it boasts a low total cost of ownership.
How long does magnetic tape storage last? ›
Magnetic tapes stored under archival conditions (National Archives and Records Administration example) generally have a lifespan of about 10 to 50 years before exhibiting difficult to handle decay. Somewhere in the middle is most common.
How should magnetic tape be stored? ›
Use and store magnetic tape reels and cassettes in a clean environment. Avoid contamination of the tapes by dirt, dust, fingerprints, food, cigarette smoke and ash, and airborne pollutants. Take care not to drop tapes or cartridges. Keep tapes out of strong sunlight and avoid contact with water.
What is the storage density of magnetic tape? ›
Common 7-track densities started at 200 characters per inch (CPI), then 556, and finally 800; 9-track tapes had densities of 800 (using NRZI), then 1600 (using PE), and finally 6250 (using GCR). This translates into about 5 megabytes to 140 megabytes per standard length (2,400 ft, 730 m) reel of tape.
Is magnetic tape the fastest storage device? ›
Although magnetic tape systems give the impression that they read data slowly, LTO7 can transfer data at a high speed of 300 MB/second (750 MB/second when the data is compressed), which is more than 20% faster than other storage systems.
