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FujiFilm Relaunches LTO-8 Cartridge After Patent Litigation

12TB non-compressed, 30TB compressed, 360MB/s native data transfer

FujiFilm Corporation launched LTO Ultrium8 Data Cartridge (LTO-8) on September 2, 2019.

Fujifilm Lto8 Cartridge

Adhering to the 8th-gen LTO Ultrium (*) standards for magnetic tape storage media, the LTO-8 will allow for backup and archive of large-capacity data, using the barium ferrite (BaFe) magnetic particles with its recording/retrieval performance and long-term durability. It offers a storage capacity of 30TB (12TB for non-compressed data), twice the capacity of the previous generation (**). It is also capable of transferring data at 750MB/s (360MB/s for non-compressed). It provides secure and long term storage of massive data at a low cost.

The amount of data generated worldwide has exponentially increased in recent years with the expansion of high-definition 4K and 8K video, development of IoT and ICT and the utilization of AI for big data analysis. This includes ‘cold-data,’ or data that was generated a long time ago and rarely accessed, and is estimated to account for more than 80% of all data.

As the utilization of accumulated data, including cold data, rapidly increases, so does the need for reliable and cost effective long term storage of such data for future use. Magnetic tapes have been used among major data centers and research organizations for years as magnetic tapes offer large storage capacity, low cost and long-term storage performance, and also create ‘air gap’ data protection, physically isolated from the network, which minimize the risk of data damage or loss caused by cyber attacks. In the future, magnetic tapes are expected to be used in research fields where generate a large amount of data, such as AI/IoT-based smart manufacturing to achieve quality and efficient production, and future connected cars.

The company has developed the fine BaFe magnetic particles with magnetic properties and long-term storage performance and launched the world’s first commercial BaFe storage cartridge in 2011. In 2012, the company launched LTO-6, the first LTO Ultrium standard data cartridge product using BaFe magnetic particles. Foreseeing the capacity limitations in the traditional metal magnetic particles, the firm’s early commercialization of BaFe magnetic tapes has allowed the company to lead the market.

With LTO-8, the company has further developed its NanoCubic technology (***) to produce smaller BaFe magnetic particles than those used in the LTO-7. The magnetic particles are separated by controlled dispersion process and the tape surface roughness is controlled, achieving smooth surface of magnetic layer with enhanced NANO coating technology. In this way, the firm has increased the storage capacity up to 30TB (12TB for non-compressed data), twice the capacity of LTO-7, high speed data transfer reaching 750MB/s (360MB/s for non-compressed data). Furthermore, appropriate material design has allowed for tracking performance and durability for the magnetic heads in the tape drives, boost reliability showing stable and performance.

Since the launch of LTO-1 in 2000, the company has developing performance and magnetic tapes with large data capacity. As the world’s top (*4) manufacturer of magnetic tapes for storage, the firm will continue to develop and supply performance and quality media and services that satisfy customer needs and expectations, thereby helping to solve social issues.

(*)  Linear Tape-Open, LTO, the LTO logo, Ultrium and the Ultrium logo are registered trademarks of Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM and Quantum in USA and other countries.
(**) LTO Ultrium7 Data Cartridge that complies with the 7th-generation LTO Ultrium standards
(***) Fujifilm’s nanotechnology-based magnetic tape technology with thin coating to achieve high-density magnetic data recording. It consists of the ‘nano-particle technology’ for formulating magnetic particles into nano-sized particles, ‘nano-dispersion technology’ for evenly dispersing and arranging nano-sized magnetic particles, and ‘nano-coating technology’ for achieving the coating of the ultra-thin layer.
(*4) Manufacturer share, according to Fujifilm data

Product name:
FujiFilm LTO Ultrium8 Data Cartridge

Release date:
September 2, 2019

Model numbers, packaging formats and prices
Click to enlarge

Fujifilm Lto8 Tabl1

(*5) Re-writable type that allows data to be re-written
(*6) WORM type that allows data to be written just once so as to prevent data tampering or accidental deletion
(*7) The ‘ECO pack’ is a pack of 20 cartridges in minimum-required plain packaging that eliminates individual plastic cases, etc. for cartridges.

Main features:
BaFe magnetic particles to achieve the storage capacity of 30TB

Fujifilm has developed its unique NANOCUBIC technology (***) to produce smaller BaFe magnetic particles than those used in the LTO-7. The magnetic particles are separated by controlled dispersion process evenly dispersed and the tape surface roughness is controlled, achieving smooth surface of magnetic layer with enhanced NANO coating technology. The data recording density has also been improved to record 6,656 data tracks in 12.65mm-wide tape to achieve the storage capacity of 30TB (12TB for non-compressed data), double the capacity of the LTO-7.

Advanced level of convenience and reliability

  • LTO-8 allows for high speed data transfer at 750MB/sec. (360MB/sec. for non-compressed data)

  • It provides high quality signal and low error rate. In addition, appropriate material design has allowed for tracking performance and durability for the magnetic heads in the tape drives, boosting reliability with stable and excellent performance.

  • Media for cold storage, offering secure and long-term storage of massive data at a low cost

  • LTO-8 has superior TCO (*8) to HDD, capable of holding large amount of cold data in low cost.

  • Create ‘air gap’ data protection, physically isolated from the network, which minimize the risk of data damage or loss caused by system failures, infection with computer viruses and cyberattacks.

  • Accelerated life test (*9) has indicated that magnetic tape, with greater stability, is reliable to store data for more than 50 years.

(*8) TCO, which encompasses all costs associated with the introduction of a storage drive, server, etc., including initial cost, cost of maintenance and cost of electricity consumed.
(*9) According to data by the JEITA’s Tape Storage Technical Committee

Click to enlarge

Fujifilm Lto8 Tabl2

Read also:
LTO: Fujifilm and Sony Licensees of LTO-8 Technology  
For archive and offline long-term storage
August 15, 2019 | Press Release
BackupWorks.com Said IBM to Withdraw LTO-8
Following lawsuit between Sony and FujiFilm on tape media   
June 4, 2019 | Press Release
Fujifilm Urges Fed Circuit to Overturn Patent Trial and Appeal Board in Sony Battle     
On magnetic tape media
February 13, 2019 | In Brief

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