4mm tapes versus LTO3 / LTO4 tapes

[o_q8]

Hi,
i m new to the TSM world. I just wanted a general concensus on 4mm tapes and what the restrictions are versus LTO3 or LTO4 tapes.

Thanks,
O

[max]

hi,
"concensus" ?
4mm tapes are really not affordable and you might lose data should the tape get damaged. Later on they invented LTO, which is a really better technology.
"Restrictions" ? I don't believe there are 'logical' restrictions, they are surely cheaper ...

cheers
max

[BBB]

I wouldn't recommend using 4mm. If you want enterprise backups, use an enterprise tape drive like LTO3/4 or 3592.

[snowywar]

I wouldn't use 4mm if they were giving them away!!

the latest batch of LTO4 tapes seems to be a lot more reliable than the early ones and I am getting between 1.4-1.5tb on a tape.

[sgabriel62]

4mm tapes - who uses these any more??
Take the drive home - use it on your home computer

[moon-buddy]

I agree - 4mm is "obsolete".

I use 4mm just for home data backup coupled with a HP 4mm 6-tape changer. Cannot be driven by TSM on Windows but TSM on Linux can.