Linear Tape Open Vs. Cloud Storage

As more companies use technology in their business online, the demand for sustainable, high-performance and affordable storage devices also increases. Today, we have a lot of different storage devices to choose from. Though storage devices also get better as newer version gets released, it does not always mean that the new ones are the best for everything. Each business has different specifications, so there is no one size fits all storage device; each storage device has its own pros and cons that may lean towards a specific type of business.  With that, we will talk about two storage devices and compare them to know which suits you. This is LTO vs. cloud storage. 

Before anything else, let us see the definition of cloud storage and an LTO.

Cloud storage

Cloud storage is a system where you can store, share and access data through the internet. Your data is stored online, so you just need an internet connection to do anything with them. There are different kinds of cloud storage, we have private, public, and hybrid clouds.

LTO

LTO stands for linear tape open. LTO gives the best balance for capacity, performance, and reliability. It wites computer data on magnetic tapes. The LTO has a lot of features like backup, long-term archive, offline storage, and high-capacity transfer. 

What are the benefits of LTO?

High-performance

The latest LTO is ideal for large-scale loads. It c can read and write data at 3.6 TB per hour, encrypt, store and protect data up to 45 TB. But that is not the limit, tech companies continue to upgrade LTO. They have plans to increase its capacity to 144 TB in its 12th generation.

Longevity

You’d be surprised how old LTO is. This device was first created in the late 1990s. Up to now, the LTO is still being used. The tape is extremely durable, it can last up to 30 years. 

Reliability

We already know that the LTO can last for three decades, but it is more than just durable; it is also very dependable. They are completely offline, so they are safe from ransomware or any malware and cyberattacks. Unlike online storage, LTO is safe from problems affecting backup data, deleted shadow copies, backup servers being attacked, or any cyber security incidents.

What are the benefits of cloud storage?

Accessibility

You can access your data anywhere you are at any time, as long as you have an internet connection. Since your data is stored on internet servers, you can share and access data easily, which means you can collaborate with your team from across the globe. You do not have to worry about the location and distance.

Scalability

You can easily upscale your storage or do the opposite. You can reduce or increase the storage you need to suit the status of your business. You just have to pay more if you want to add storage space, and you are going to pay less if you want to decrease the space.

Low cost

In the cloud, you only have to pay for the amount of storage you need. As long as you know how much space you need, you won’t be paying for extreme unused space. Since cloud storage is off-site for the tenants, you do not have to pay extra fees like holiday or sick pay for the employees.

Syncing and updating data

The best part about cloud storage is you can easily sync your data to other devices. You do not have to manually transfer the files you need from one device to another. If you remove or add a new file, it will also automatically update across all your devices. You just have to sync your device using the cloud. This feature ensures that you have the latest copy of your data and prevent total data loss.