
It is not uncommon to see many different technologies in the data center including disk, tape, SSD and even optical. Each of these solutions provides unique benefits from a performance, reliability and availability perspective. However, the one element that frustrates me is when vendors (typically disk-centric ones) point to tape as a technology that is outdated and unreliable. It is clear that all technologies have their strengths and weaknesses, but reliability is not typically one associated with tape. In this blog post, I will walk through four reasons why tape is more reliable than disk.
1. Bit Error Rate
Bit error rate (BER) is a concept that sounds complex, but in reality isn't. It is simply a measure of the total of number of expected erroneous bits as compared to the total number of bits received. In the most simplistic terms, it quantifies the likelihood of a faulty bit as a percent of total number of bits written. The table below is taken from the LTO website and highlights how the BER of tape compares to that of disk storage.
As you can see tape has at least a 10x improvement in BER versus the most expensive enterprise disks. However, since LTO is normally used for backup and archiving, SATA has historically been the disk alternative of choice and in this case tape's BER is 100x better! In summary, the likelihood of tape writing an incorrect bit is between 10x and 100x better than an equivalent disk drive.
2. Read After Write
There is a risk with any medium that what you want to write does not actually get written. Why would this silent corruption occur? Well, it could be caused by a number of things, but is often related to an unexpected error in the storage hardware. LTO tape incorporates technology to directly address this risk. As described in this primer, LTO drives natively re-read data as soon as it is written to validate accuracy. This is powerful because this error checking occurs with every write without any need for user intervention. Furthermore, any errors experienced are addressed in real time. If you compare this to disk arrays, the situation gets murky; each disk vendor has a unique RAID algorithm which may or may not include verification. Some arrays may go back at a later time to scrub the disk for errors, but the delayed analysis misses the real time verification and correction that LTO provides. Simply put, when you write data to LTO you can be confident that the tape is accurately storing your information.
3. Data Storage is Abstracted from Data Access
A hard drive is a self-contained device that includes data storage (magnetic platters where information is physically stored) and access (drive heads that move to read/write information and motors to spin the platters and move the heads). A disk drive is presented to the world as a simple block device (through SATA, SAS or FC, typically), but this simplicity masks the complexity of the underlying technology and microscopic tolerances required when manufacturing these items. All of the components inside the hard drive must operate in perfect harmony to access stored information and if any of them fails then all the stored data on the medium is inaccessible. A corrupted drive can be fixed, but the process is extremely complex, time consuming and costly and so most users bypass drive recovery and instead rely on RAID technology to solve the problem.
Tape is different because it separates data storage from data access. In the tape world, data is stored on removable tape media such as LTO-6, but the information is only readable when inserted into a tape drive. Hence data access is separated from storage. This separation is noteworthy because it changes the reliability dynamics since a failed tape drive can easily be replaced while the underlying data remains intact. It also brings interesting compatibility benefits because you can upgrade the data access device (tape drives) separately from the underlying data (the tapes). LTO enables this use case by providing 3 generations of LTO format backwards compatibility (e.g. an LTO-5 drive can read data from LTO-5, LTO-4 and LTO-3 media.)
4. Bit Rot
Extended data retention is the norm in today's IT environments. Yet as retention extends, users need to be cognizant of the consistent readability of their storage medium. Bit rot refers to the gradual degradation of magnetic media that can happen over time and can result in data corruption. Noted industry Analyst W. Curtis Preston discusses this concept in a blog post entitled Tape more reliable than disk for long term storage. The long and short is that all magnetic media face the risk of bit rot, but disk faces a higher risk than tape due its smaller magnetic particles and higher operating temperature. Thus customers can be more confident of the long-term viability of data stored on tape versus disk. Additionally, this formula also helps explain why LTO tapes are stated to last 30 years while the average disk subsystem is replaced every five years.
In summary, disk and tape are complementary technologies that provide strong benefits. Disk excels when it comes to random read and write performance which is why most customers use it as a target for near-term backup and recovery operations. However, it is also clear that tape brings substantial benefits as well and is the optimal medium for longer-term data storage and preservation. As a user, I encourage you to think carefully about the technology you are using to ensure that you are using the right technology to solve your business challenges.
Chart source: LTO Website
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/04/2026
Introducing Nx 3-Strip v2 - A Physics-Based Technicolor Reconstruction for DaVin...
27/04/2026
CES Power, a provider of infrastructure for live events, has announced the acquisition of three Ireland-based businesses: GH Energy Rental Ltd, Event Power, and...
27/04/2026
FuboTV Inc. has announced it is developing its Multiview feature for the Fubo streaming service on select LG TVs, including 2024, 2025, and newer 4K and 8K mode...
27/04/2026
Shade, a file management platform for creative teams, has announced a $14 million funding round led by Khosla Ventures, Construct Capital, and Bling Capital, br...
27/04/2026
The Audio Engineering Society (AES) will present the Immersive Audio Academy 12th Edition - Immersive Audio in All Flavors - on April 30, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ...
27/04/2026
DAZN has announced DAZN48, a creator program for the FIFA World Cup 2026 that will recruit 48 creators - one representing each of the 48 qualified nations - to ...
27/04/2026
FloSports has announced exclusive streaming rights to four CrossFit competitions: Legends Del Mar: CrossFit Semi-Finals, Magic City Games, NorCal Classic, and t...
27/04/2026
Telestream has announced that Pulse, its software-defined test and measurement p...
27/04/2026
Shade has announced it is a Cloud Computing and Storage winner in the 2026 NAB Show Product of the Year Awards. Winners were selected by a panel of industry exp...
27/04/2026
Leading the NBA's video-ads platform, this Penn State grad is at the forefro...
27/04/2026
DAZN has expanded its international broadcast rights for the T100 Triathlon World Tour to include Africa. All races from the T100 calendar will be available for...
27/04/2026
NAB Show has announced the recipients of its 2026 Project of the Year and Product of the Year Awards at a ceremony at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Each wi...
27/04/2026
DIRECTV has launched on Meta Quest headsets, becoming the first MVPD to offer live TV through the platform. The timing coincides with the stretch run of the MLB...
27/04/2026
TBL Team Boxing League has announced a broadcast agreement with MSG Networks to air all remaining Season 4 fights live across MSG's television and digital p...
27/04/2026
IP integration, interoperability, growth of intercommunications were key concerns for vendors and visitors alike
Attendees at the recently concluded 2026 NAB S...
27/04/2026
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, includ...
27/04/2026
A pro-audio emphasis, spectrum changes, and on-field audio mark the new products and enhancements to existing offerings
Microphones remain the primary point of...
27/04/2026
The Sports Video Group team was all over the NAB Show floor out in Las Vegas las...
27/04/2026
N r Spotify grundades f r 20 r sedan dominerades musikmarknaden av illegal nedladdning. Sedan dess har streaming bidragit till att teruppr tta betalningsvilja...
27/04/2026
Time on Spotify should feel meaningful and intentional, not something that slips...
27/04/2026
New modular multi-effects plug-in revealed
The latest plug-in from Brainworx delivers a modular set of effects designed to offer a convenient alternative to...
27/04/2026
Kit includes supercardioid & shotgun capsules
High-end mic manufacturer Schoeps have recently introduced another member of their Desert Island Set family. O...
27/04/2026
LA2A-inspired 500-series module arrives
Sound Skulptor have announced the upcoming launch of a new 500-series module that aims to recreate one of the most p...
27/04/2026
SSL-inspired compressor unit upgraded
Stam Audio are well known for their painstaking recreations of vintage audio gear, with their extensive product range ...
27/04/2026
Available for current Nielsen ONE Ads customers, this new capability predicts sa...
27/04/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
27/04/2026
Nippon TV's In-House Proprietary AI Solution AiDi Wins Product of the Year A...
27/04/2026
Outpost Introduces Unlimited Collaboration Model for Review and Approval Workflo...
27/04/2026
Ikegami Announces VFE-P07D Monocular OLED Viewfinder with Tiltable 3.5-inch LCD ...
27/04/2026
Custom Consoles announces the completion of a large Module-R desk and MediaWall monitor display mount for an expanded master control room at Gravity Medias West...
27/04/2026
Other World Computing Launches OWC Express 4M2 Ultra - Thunderbolt 5 Four-Slot N...
27/04/2026
Back to All News
Netflix announces El sobrino, the new film by Dami n Szifron s...
27/04/2026
Red Seat Ventures Announces Exclusive Multiyear Partnership with Kill Tony The Company is the New Monetization and Distribution Home for the Globally Popula...
27/04/2026
RT 2FM is calling on aspiring DJs across Ireland to take their shot at the spot...
27/04/2026
RT continues to champion Ireland's creative life this May, supporting a broad range of festivals, exhibitions and performances across music, theatre, liter...
26/04/2026
Back to All News
Director Yoon Jong-bin Returns with The Generals' (WT), A...
26/04/2026
Back to All News
Nine Queens, Starring Alvaro Morte and Patrick Criado, Starts ...
25/04/2026
In the heart of Mexico City, music, culture, and fashion converged last night as Spotify and Vogue Latin America welcomed guests to an intimate gathering at Soh...