Requirements checklist (this project)
- 3-2-1 strategy: 3 copies, 2 media types, 1 off-site/offline copy.
- Archive-friendly: ~500 TB mostly-static media dataset; minimal churn.
- Operational backups: ~20 TB changes frequently; needs daily archival and rotation (weekly/monthly/quarterly/annual).
- Quarterly restore testing: every tape should be test-read/restore-validated each quarter.
- Cost-effective: used drives/libraries are acceptable; avoid unnecessary complexity.
Pages
- LTO technology - what LTO is, drive/library basics, why tape still matters.
- LTO capacities - native vs compressed, generation table, tape-count math.
- LTO capabilities - WORM, encryption, LTFS, verification/restore testing workflow.
- Cost comparisons + vendor links - how the money breaks down (drives, media, HBAs, libraries); links to new/used suppliers.
- Project-specific analysis - LTO-8 vs LTO-10 for ~500 TB mostly-static + ~20 TB frequently changing.
Notes:
- All capacity planning uses native (uncompressed) numbers. Media files typically do not compress well.
- Links to vendor/spec sites are provided on the costs/technology pages.