Optimised for High Capacity
The LTO-5 Ultrium tape format is the implementation of the LTO (Linear Tape-Open) Ultrium Technology that is optimized for high capacity and performance with exceptional reliability in either a stand-alone or an automated environment. It uses a single reel cartridge to maximize capacity. Ideally suited for backup, restore, and archive applications, the Ultrium tape format establishes a new benchmark for large volume backup and archive. Ultrium technology products will meet the needs of the enterprise through single-server user on a roadmap, or migration path, that extends well into the next decade.
LTO-5 Benefits:
High Capacity
Ultrium technology allows for 1.5TB capacity native, 3TB compressed (2:1) in a single compact cartridge. The cartridge is smaller than existing single-reel tape cartridges.
High Data Rate
Ultrium technology provides for data transfer rates of up to 280 MB/second (2:1 compression) for Generation 5 products.
LTO-CM (Cartridge Memory)
Enhances functionality by providing a redundant file log as well as user-defined information. An external reader allows immediate access to that information without having to insert the cartridge into a drive.
Data Encryption
LTO Generation 4 & 5 uses "AES encryption algorithm, with 256-bit keys, in GCM mode." A shorter way to say it is "256-bit AES in GCM mode" or "AES256-GCM."
The Advanced Encryption Standard with Galois/Counter Mode of Operation (AES+GCM) is a block cipher that provides authenticated encryption that can achieve very high speeds in hardware with low cost and low latency. It helps provide both data confidentiality and data integrity in a single, easy to use construct.
WORM Support
From LTO-3 onward, all LTO tapes have the ability to Write Once Read Many (WORM) functionality. An LTO drive with a WORM cartridge will not erase or overwrite data on a WORM cartridge, but will read it. An LTO WORM Cartridge is identical to a normal LTO- tape cartridge except its LTO-CM chip identifies it to the drive as WORM and the servo track is slightly different to allow verification that data has not been modified, and may come with tamper proof screws. WORM capable drives immediately recognize WORM cartridges and include a unique WORM ID with every dataset written to the tape. There is nothing different about the tape medium in a WORM cartridge. Typically the WORM cartridges have a different color packaging.
LTO Technology
Ultrium format products take advantage of LTO Technology's proven error correction and data compression techniques.
Flexibility
Consistent Servo
The servo format is expected to remain consistent throughout the life of the product line. This major benefit enables manufacturers to leverage investments.
Multi-Sourcing
Multiple sources for media and drives reduce production bottlenecks and also ensures investment protection for OEMs and end users alike.
Compliance Testing
By an independent organization promotes compliance to the specification. This shortens qualification cycles and simplifies future product planning for OEMs.
Technical Notes:
Approximate cartridge dimensions: 4.1 x 4.0 x 0.8 in. (105 x 102 x 21 mm) (smaller than most existing single-reel tape cartridges).
The single-hub design allows for the cartridge to be optimally packed with media. High capacity is further enhanced by the use of an LTO Technology data compression algorithm with two control modes to maximize compression efficiency.
LTO-CM is a noncontacting passive RF interface embedded in the cartridge which allows remote reading of the contents of the built-in 4KB (32 Kbits) of non-volatile memory. Calibration information, manufacturers' data, and information about initialization may be retrieved without having to insert the tape cartridge into a drive.
Dedicated dual servo: The servo bands are pre-written on the tape during the tape cartridge manufacture process. If one servo element becomes defective, or if a portion of the servo code on the tape becomes corrupt, the head will continue to track as a result of the second "redundant" servo system.
Longitudinal position words encoded within the servo frames allow efficient access to absolute locations down the length of the tape.
Data integrity features include two levels of error correction that can provide recovery from longitudinal media scratches. Read-While-Write (RWW) capability allows real-time verification of written data.
Flagship Product Migration Path:
The expandability in the design of the Ultrium product line results from combining and leveraging enabling technologies to produce a technologically solid migration path. This Flagship (8-channel version) Migration Path describes improvements of the premium products in the line from generation to generation.
Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Quantum reserve the right to change the information in this migration path without notice.
