Reliable Backup Data Media
This guide is intended for those looking for backup data media. Discover LTO tapes, RDX media, and backup drives designed for professional archiving. From daily backups to long-term archiving, our solutions combine high capacity, durability, and compliance with the 3-2-1 backup strategy.
Application of Backup Data Media
Backup data media are physical media used to store backups outside of the production environment. A company generating vast amounts of data should regularly create backups, as this becomes crucial for the continuity of the organisation.
Among the currently available technologies, we distinguish widely available media on the market, including modern devices such as network drives with RAM or USB flash drives:
- Magnetic tapes (LTO) – for archiving large amounts of data, characterised by high durability and storage security compared to other methods, such as cloud or hard drives.
- Removable drives (RDX) – cartridges containing HDD or SSD drives.
The benefits of using professional backup media include protection against ransomware due to physical isolation from the network (air-gap), compliance with industry regulations requiring long-term document retention, and the ability to recover data after system failures. Physical media play a crucial role in continuity strategy, protecting against user error, mechanical damage to infrastructure, and external factors such as cyberattacks.
Backup Data Media for Various Business Needs
Every IT environment requires a tailored backup solution suited to the organisation's specifics and needs.
Daily Backups
RDX media provide an optimal solution for quick, regular backups. The removable cartridge system allows for quick access to data and easy media rotation. RDX cartridges offer capacities from 500 GB to 8 TB, with transfer speeds of up to 120 MB/s – which means significantly faster restoration of individual files than with tapes.
Integration with popular backup applications such as Veeam, Acronis, or CommVault automates the backup process, eliminating the need for manual handling.
Long-term Archiving
LTO tapes (Linear Tape-Open) remain indispensable for archiving data that requires long-term storage. LTO tapes provide secure data storage for up to 30 years, which is crucial for meeting legal and practical requirements. The latest generation of LTO tapes, such as LTO-10, offers capacities of up to 40 TB (up to 100 TB with compression) and are among the most durable data media available on the market. The LTO technology was designed as a solution for long-term data storage, providing reduced energy consumption compared to traditional hard drives. LTO-10 offers:
- 40 TB native capacity (up to 100 TB with compression)
- Transfer speeds of up to 400 MB/s (1200 MB/s with compression)
- Durability of up to 30 years in archival conditions
Protection Against Cyberattacks and Failures
Air-gap backup with physical isolation from the network protects data from remote access by attackers. WORM (Write Once, Read Many) media guarantee the immutability of stored data – which in practice means full protection against ransomware. LTO-10 tapes offer both WORM functionality and hardware encryption.
Offsite backup solutions – transferring tapes or RDX cartridges to external locations – provide geographical redundancy in line with the 3-2-1 strategy.
Leading Manufacturers Available at Senetic
HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise)
HPE offers a complete ecosystem of LTO Ultrium tapes and StoreEver drives for enterprise environments. The portfolio includes RDX media with cartridges of up to 8 TB capacity and solutions integrated with HPE servers and storage.
Lenovo
Lenovo supplies ThinkSystem LTO tapes optimised for Lenovo server infrastructure. Backup solutions tailored for data centres provide enterprise-grade reliability and comprehensive technical support.
Dell Technologies
Dell offers PowerVault LTO media for PowerEdge systems. Integrated backup and recovery solutions support hybrid strategies combining local digital media with cloud archiving.
Join the Senetic B2B Portal
Register at the B2B Portal and gain:
- Access to special wholesale prices
- Free technical advice
- Support in planning a 3-2-1 backup strategy for your organisation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between LTO tape and RDX media?
LTO tape is a magnetic medium with a very high capacity (up to 40 TB) intended for archiving. RDX is a removable cartridge with an HDD or SSD, offering fast random access to data – better for daily backups with frequent recovery of important files.
How much data can one LTO tape hold?
Depending on the generation: LTO-8 holds 12 TB, LTO-9 about 18 TB, and LTO-10 even 40 TB natively (up to 100 TB with compression).
How long do LTO tapes retain data?
Manufacturers claim durability of up to 30 years under appropriate conditions – controlled temperature (15-25°C) and humidity (20-50%).
Do tape media protect against ransomware?
Yes – WORM tapes prevent modification of stored data, and physical isolation from the network (air-gap) protects against remote access by attackers.
How do I choose a backup medium for the 3-2-1 strategy?
The strategy assumes: 3 copies of data, on 2 different media, with 1 copy offsite. The best solution is a combination of RDX for daily backups and LTO tapes for offsite archiving.
What are data media?
Various media used for data storage include: magnetic tapes, HDD hard drives, SSD drives, optical media (CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays), USB drives, and RDX cartridges.
What are backup data media?
These are physical media intended for securely storing duplicates of production data, enabling recovery after a failure or cyberattack.
What are the best data media?
It depends on the application: for long-term archiving – LTO tapes with WORM; for quick backups – RDX media; the choice of manufacturer depends on the existing IT infrastructure.
What role do diagnostic tools play in diagnosing and repairing data media?
Professional diagnostic tools allow for quick identification of the cause of backup media failures, enabling effective repair and restoration of equipment functionality. They also allow monitoring of the technical condition of media and prevention of data loss.
Why is archiving and storage management software important?
Appropriate software enables automation of backups, management of backup copies, and secure storage of data both on LTO tapes and in cloud or local systems. It also allows for encryption and access control to data.
What does data transfer between physical media look like and is it secure?
Portable media, such as external drives or USB drives, allow for quick and reliable data transfer without the need for internet access. Direct transfer minimises the risk of data interception by unauthorised individuals, especially when appropriate security procedures are followed.
How should backup data media containing classified information be registered and secured?
When storing classified information, backup data media must be properly registered and secured according to applicable security procedures to ensure full control over access and circulation of these media.
