How often should I replace my cleaning/backup tapes? SONY AIT tape drive
I would like to know how often I should replace my cleaning cartridge, i know there is a limit to the amount of cleaning I can use it for.
I also want to know how long is a tape good for, I am having slow transfer rates and I am thinking it is due to bad tapes. I would like a guideline on how often I should replace these tapes.
I also want to know how long is a tape good for, I am having slow transfer rates and I am thinking it is due to bad tapes. I would like a guideline on how often I should replace these tapes.
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Slow transfer rates are more often related to the source particularly when there are a large number of small files to be transfered. Try transferring a single large file to see if the rate climbs back up.
I personally have a low opinion of AIT. It uses the same (unrelaible) tape transport as the original Data8 8mm Exabyte, with a dubious RFID chip thrown in for good measure.
Manufacturer's MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) figures should be taken with a grain of salt. Actual data tape life varies, depending on operating and storage environment characteristics. If you're working in a hot, humid, or dusty environment, then tape (and drive head) life will be significantly reduced.
If your backups are important to you (and who's backups aren't?) then I would discard the tapes after 20 uses, and maybe even fewer if the environmental conditions are poor.
Manufacturer's MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) figures should be taken with a grain of salt. Actual data tape life varies, depending on operating and storage environment characteristics. If you're working in a hot, humid, or dusty environment, then tape (and drive head) life will be significantly reduced.
If your backups are important to you (and who's backups aren't?) then I would discard the tapes after 20 uses, and maybe even fewer if the environmental conditions are poor.
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Thanks!