Data drive today's world. Data has become a valuable asset that companies protect at all costs. Many companies globally prefer cloud and large-scale disk backups over the tape backup system because their technological infrastructure is more modern. However, the Bacula tape remains an indispensable storage type because it offers customers numerous benefits.
The Bacula tape backup has:
- Higher data write speed.
- Greater reliability
- More efficiency
- Data density
- Greater Portability
- Ease of storage
- More security
Moreover, Bacula Enterprise supports the tape libraries of other tape vendors as well as various storage sizes and types, making the Bacula tape backup software a flexible storage alternative for numerous customers.
What is Tape Backup?
Tape backup is a relatively old storage technology that stores data on a tape cartridge. A tape drive allows the reading and writing of data on the magnetic tape. Unlike a hard disk drive, a tape drive only allows access to data in a predetermined sequence. Thus, to get the required information, the tape ribbon has to be moved forward or backward.
Why is Bacula Tape Backup Software a Valuable Asset Today?
It is Secure
Disk storages can be overwritten or deleted by accident. However, data stored on Bacula tape cannot easily be tampered with or reproduced. Disk backup is also risky because computer viruses could attack connected disk backup systems.
It is Cheaper
While the Bacula tape backup system goes offline once data is stored, the disk technology requires constant power to keep the disk going. The disk backup system also requires consistent cooling to prevent overheating, corrupting the data on the disk. Moreover, the Bacula tape backup system is free. It also requires far less maintenance cost compared to other backup technologies.
Has a Larger Storage Capacity
Tape backup has a larger storage capacity than disk and cloud backups. One tape offers up to 30 terabytes of data per unit. Furthermore, modern tape formats like LTO-12 are projected to offer up to 480 terabytes per unit.
Has an Offsite Storage
Bacula tape has an offsite vault that prevents data destruction by natural disasters that could harm the data on-site.
Has a Longer Lifespan
Good upkeep conditions could allow a Bacula tape to maintain proper function with no damage to the stored data for about 30 years. Data stored in disk and cloud backup systems are often prone to cyber-attacks and corruption by computer viruses.
The above properties make Bacula tape a valuable storage system for enterprises with extensive data that is rarely accessed. It is an archaic technology that provides a practical storage solution for archived data.
Why is Tape Backup Unpopular?
Most people who dismiss the value of tape backup systems have little knowledge of the benefits of using offline tapes for storage. Due to emerging storage technologies that allow quick retrieval of stored data, tape backup has received minor accolades as a storage medium. Tape vendors neither market this storage type enough nor educate buyers against misconceptions.
There is a widespread belief that a tape backup is an ineffective form of storage because of its limitations. These limitations include:
- Longer data recovery time
- Slow data process and search speed
- Tape records need proper maintenance to remain operational for extended periods.
Due to these limitations, many people believe that the tape backup system is outdated. Although this is mainly true, the benefits of Bacula tape should not be disregarded.
Taped backup is not dead. Contrary to most people's opinions, the Bacula tape backup software can work with all tape drives through OS calls like reading and writing. Moreover, the SCSI tape drivers on Linux, Windows, Solaris, and FreeBSD perform perfectly with the Bacula tape backup software.
How to Maintain Bacula Tape Backup
Store Bacula tapes securely by:
- Protecting it from unauthorized access through data encryption.
- Store tapes offsite as soon as the data is backed up to minimize the chances of external damage or theft
- Use a reliable data protection solution that protects the whole infrastructure.
- Ensure that the offsite storage place for the Bacula tapes is only accessible to few trustworthy employees.
- Take proper care of the tape cartridges to keep the Bacula tape backup system operational long enough.
Protect tape drives by:
- Storing the tapes in a cool, dry place, far from direct heat or sunlight
- Clean cartridges as per manufacturer's instructions
- Keep Bacula tapes away from electronic devices to prevent destruction by strong magnetic fields.
Despite the popularity of disk and cloud backup systems, the Bacula tape backup is still a relevant storage strategy that provides a valuable storage solution for archived data.
