Joe Nadeau | IBM Business Manager

You’ve probably heard some in the storage industry claim that tape storage is dead—a relic of the past, overshadowed by the rise of cloud and solid-state technologies. However, as data continues to grow at an exponential rate, the demand for scalable, secure, and cost-effective storage solutions has led to an unexpected resurgence of tape technology—particularly IBM’s innovative offerings in the Linear Tape-Open (LTO) format.

IBM, a founding member of the LTO consortium, has played a pivotal role in the development and advancement of tape storage technologies. The latest milestone in this journey is the release of LTO-9, a momentous change in the industry. LTO-9 offers an impressive 18TB of native storage capacity, expandable to 45TB with compression. This leap in storage capacity is not just a technical achievement; it’s a direct response to the burgeoning data needs of enterprises worldwide. From hyperscalers managing vast amounts of cloud data to industries like healthcare and finance requiring secure long-term storage, LTO-9 meets the demand with a combination of efficiency, security, and reliability.

A Vision for the Future of Tape Storage

One of the most compelling aspects of LTO-9 is its position within a forward-looking roadmap that extends through multiple future generations. The LTO roadmap envisions reaching capacities of up to 1.4 petabytes per cartridge by the time we arrive at LTO-14. This vision isn’t just ambitious—it’s necessary. As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) become more ingrained in business operations, the data generated and required for these processes will only increase. IBM, through its LTO advancements, is ensuring that tape remains a critical component of the data storage hierarchy for years to come.

The growth in tape shipments is a testament to this resurgence. In 2023, the market saw a record 152.9 exabytes of LTO capacity shipped, marking a 3.14% increase from the previous year—a significant 4.6 exabytes! This growth is driven by factors such as the need for reliable archiving solutions, the security benefits of air-gapped storage, and the overall cost-effectiveness of tape compared to other storage technologies. IBM’s leadership in this space is evident as it continues to innovate and respond to customer needs.

IBM's Comprehensive Tape Storage Solutions

IBM's range of tape storage solutions further exemplifies its commitment to meeting diverse enterprise needs and this is just a few examples to start with:

- IBM TS4500 Tape Library: This high-density solution is designed for large-scale enterprises, offering scalability, ease of use, and integration with both cloud and on-premise environments. Industries with massive data storage needs, such as media and entertainment or financial institutions, particularly favor the TS4500.

- IBM TS4300 Tape Library: Ideal for mid-sized to larger organizations, the TS4300 is designed with scalability in mind, allowing businesses to start small and grow their tape storage capacity as needed. Its modular design ensures it can be tailored to meet specific backup and archiving needs, making it a versatile option for various sectors.

- IBM TS7700 Virtual Tape Library (VTL): For organizations looking to optimize their mainframe data protection strategies, the TS7700 combines the best of both worlds by integrating tape technology with virtualized storage, offering faster data access and enhanced disaster recovery capabilities.

- IBM Diamondback Tape Library: A cutting-edge addition to IBM’s portfolio, the IBM Diamondback is designed for hyperscale cloud and enterprise data centers that require extreme density and cost-efficiency. It’s particularly suited for organizations with massive, cold storage needs, providing a reliable and energy-efficient solution for long-term data preservation.

Why Tape is Still a Smart Investment

One of the key advantages of LTO technology, and by extension IBM’s tape solutions, is its total cost of ownership (TCO). IBM provides tools like the LTO Ultrium TCO Calculator, helping organizations quantify the significant savings they can achieve by using tape. Particularly for enterprises dealing with petabytes of data that must be stored securely for years, if not decades, tape’s low energy consumption compared to spinning disk storage also contributes to its appeal, especially as companies increasingly prioritize sustainability.

Security in the Era of Cyber Threats

Security is where tape shines, particularly in the era of cyber threats and ransomware. LTO-9, like its predecessors, offers hardware-based encryption and WORM (Write Once, Read Many) functionality, ensuring that data remains unaltered and secure. The air-gapped nature of tape storage—where data is kept offline and out of reach of hackers—provides a formidable defense against ransomware attacks, making tape an indispensable part of a comprehensive data protection strategy.

Introducing IBM Deep Archive

IBM has recently expanded its portfolio with the introduction of IBM Deep Archive, a long-term cloud storage technology designed to complement its tape offerings. IBM Deep Archive provides a durable, secure, and cost-effective option for storing data that is rarely accessed but must be retained for prolonged periods. Leveraging the same LTO technology that powers its physical tape solutions, Deep Archive offers a cloud-native alternative that can seamlessly integrate with existing storage infrastructures. This is particularly advantageous for industries with stringent compliance requirements or for companies looking to offload older, infrequently accessed data from more expensive, high-performance storage systems.

Looking Ahead

IBM’s commitment to tape technology is clear with roadmaps showing a commitment to the technology and customers. As storage needs continue to grow in complexity and cost, IBM is positioned to lead the industry with innovations that make tape not just a viable option, but a preferred one for many applications. From hyperscalers to small businesses, the benefits of tape—cost-efficiency, security, and sustainability—are more relevant than ever.

The story of tape storage is far from over, and with the addition of IBM Deep Archive, the future looks even brighter. At IBM, tape is not only surviving but thriving, adapting to the changing landscape of data storage. As we move into a future where data is more critical than ever, IBM’s innovations in tape technology will continue to play a crucial role in helping organizations manage, protect, and sustain their most valuable asset: their data.