Do I Really Need to Migrate from DLT (Digital Linear Tape)?

The Digital Linear Tape (DLT) format is effectively obsolete, as Quantum ceased development of DLT drives back in 2007. Modern formats like LTO (Linear Tape Open) provide faster transfer speeds, higher capacities, and more robust support for long-term data storage.

However, DLT tapes are far from extinct. The format is still used by organizations that made a hardware commitment back in the early 2000s — and for many of those businesses, DLT addresses all of their needs.

After all, if you’re storing legal documents, emails, or simple images, DLT-V4 has a 160 gigabyte (GB) capacity and a 10 MB/s data rate. That’s fast enough, and it’s more than enough storage; why spend thousands of dollars upgrading to a new format? Relying on legacy hardware may seem like a savvy business decision, particularly if you’re not interested in upgrading your archive/backup software.

Unfortunately, businesses that utilize older media formats take serious risks. If you’re still using DLT or another obsolete data cartridge, here’s why data migration should be a priority.

DLT may address your business’s immediate needs, but archives require robust hardware support.

There’s a simple reason to migrate data to the cloud, LTO cartridges, or another modern storage system: DLT drives are becoming much harder to find.

At the time of writing, DLT-S4 tape drives were available for about $200 on second-hand auction websites. However, the sellers provide no warranty on the hardware — which is reasonable, since no manufacturer is actively producing components for the tape drives.

Likewise, brand-new DLT media is becoming more expensive as existing stock runs out. That forces many businesses to reuse tapes, which may lead to the deterioration of magnetic data storage materials.

Of course, every data tape format has a limited lifespan; LTO tapes should be replaced after approximately 250 uses, for example. But tape lifespans are largely dependent on the conditions of use, and reusing older tapes repeatedly may raise the chances of data loss.

The purpose of data storage tapes is to retain key information for long periods of time. If your archive solution relies on hard-to-find hardware in 2024, those issues will be much more severe in 2034 — and when you need to restore key files, you may not be able to do so.

Relying on obsolete storage media can introduce security concerns.

If you’re using DLT, you’re using backup software that supports DLT. In fact, there’s a good chance that you’ve used the same backup solution since acquiring your hardware.

Backup software can be a vector of attack, particularly for the sophisticated threat actors that target law firms, hospitals, and other organizations that are likely to use outdated IT practices. If ransomware infects key systems, it may lay dormant for many months, quickly compromising short-term backups.

Your IT strategy should include updating mission-critical software as needed with relevant security patches. Backup software certainly falls into this category, but if you’re using obsolete media, you may be tied to an obsolete backup solution.

Work with the experts in DLT tape migration.

Although tape migration offers significant benefits, it’s an expensive process — which is why many organizations rely on legacy media for years or decades after obsolescence. Working with a seasoned tape migration partner can mitigate the costs associated with in-house conversion efforts.

At Total Data Migration, we excel in data conversion, restoration, and catalog ingestion. Our expert team stands ready to assist your enterprise in preparing for an upgrade to modern tape formats while retaining the features of your current system.

We ensure the reliability of each tape and dataset while prioritizing security. To learn more, schedule a free consultation here or call (800) 460-7599 to discuss your project with us.