Term of the Moment
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Redirected from: Linear Tape Open
Definition: LTO
(Linear Tape Open) A family of open magnetic tape standards governed by HPE, IBM and Quantum that is licensed to third-party vendors. LTO is the only tape format in the 21st century with future plans. All other magnetic tapes are legacy storage formats, which may still be used in various companies. See magnetic tape formats.
Built-in Cartridge Memory (CM)
LTO cartridges contain a memory (LTO CM), which is a non-volatile EEPROM chip that stores location data and usage. Like an RFID chip, it is read by radio waves. Starting with LTO-3, the CM chip contains algorithms that prevent tampering when LTO is used for read-only WORM storage. See WORM and EEPROM.
Partitioning
Starting with LTO-5, an index was added to the beginning of the tape that identifies the locations of the files. Partitioning, combined with the LTFS file system, makes LTO tape operate more like a disk (see LTFS). See WORM, magnetic tape and tape cartridge.
LTO-M (LTO-7 Cartridges for LTO-8)
LTO-7 cartridges can be initialized as LTO-M media for LTO-8 drives and store 9TB instead of 6TB. However, LTO-M cartridges cannot be read in LTO-7 drives.
An LTO (Ultrium) Cartridge
Built-in Cartridge Memory (CM)
LTO cartridges contain a memory (LTO CM), which is a non-volatile EEPROM chip that stores location data and usage. Like an RFID chip, it is read by radio waves. Starting with LTO-3, the CM chip contains algorithms that prevent tampering when LTO is used for read-only WORM storage. See WORM and EEPROM.
Partitioning
Starting with LTO-5, an index was added to the beginning of the tape that identifies the locations of the files. Partitioning, combined with the LTFS file system, makes LTO tape operate more like a disk (see LTFS). See WORM, magnetic tape and tape cartridge.
LTO-M (LTO-7 Cartridges for LTO-8)
LTO-7 cartridges can be initialized as LTO-M media for LTO-8 drives and store 9TB instead of 6TB. However, LTO-M cartridges cannot be read in LTO-7 drives.
The tape is drawn out of the cartridge to a take-up reel inside the LTO drive.
Capacities
LTO Raw Tape EEPROM Hardware
Generation (TB) (KB) WORM Encrypt
LTO-14 576 | projected
LTO-13 288 | projected
LTO-12 144 | projected
LTO-11 72 | projected
LTO-10 36 | projected
LTO-9 2020 18 8 X X
LTO-8 2017 12 8 X X
LTO-7 2015 6 8 X X
LTO-6 2012 2.5 8 X X
LTO-5 2010 1.5 8 X X
(GB)
LTO-4 2007 800 8 X X
LTO-3 2005 400 4 X
LTO-2 2003 200 4
LTO-1 2000 100 4