LTO Data Tapes
Linear Tape-Open (LTO) is a magnetic tape data storage technology developed in the late 1990s.The standard form-factor of LTO technology goes by the name Ultrium, the original version of which was released in 2000 and colour hold 100gb of data storage in a single cartridge. The most recent version released in 2010 can hold 1.5TB(3TB at 2:1 compression) in the same size cartridge. LTO has been the best selling tape format and is widely used for data backup.
LTO technology allows for true multi-vendor format specifications for data interchange, scalable performance characteristics to accommodate a wide range of system platforms – from a single server to the enterprise network – thus enabling system growth. LTO technology is jointly overseen by HP, IBM and Quantum providing open format specifications to simplify the complex array of tape storage solutions.
The ultrium format is the high-capacity, single reel implementation of LTO technology. It is ideally suited for backup, restore and archive applications and provides excellent performance and capacity in both stand-alone and automated environments.
The Ultrium format is the preferred format when capacity and high streaming data rates are the key storage consideration. With clear and straightforward technology roadmaps and industry support worldwide, the LTO Ultrium format benefits users by offering multiple sources of product and media, as well as compatibility between products from different vendors.
The newly-introduced Ultrium format generation 5 allows for up to 3TB capacity (assuming 2:1 compression) and also includes a new partitioning functionality, enabling capabilities that can enhance file control and space management, addressing the growing needs of the marketplace. Generation 5 products provide for data transfer rates of up to 280 MB/second (2:1 compression)
Released Generations
Generation 5 (LTO 5)– Capacity of 1.5TB (3TB 2:1 compressed), data transfer speed of up to 280MB/s (assuming 2:1 compression) and adds a new partitioning feature and LTO file system specification to provide enhanced file control and data management. Licensed from January 2010
Generation 4 (LTO 4) – Capacity of up to 800GB (1.6TB 2:1 compression), data transfer speed of up to 240MB/s (assuming 2:1 compression). Licensed from December 2006
Generation 3 (LTO 3) – Capacity of up to 400GB (800GB 2:1 compression) data transfer speed of up to 160MB/s (assuming 2:1 compression). Licensed from July 26, 2004
Generation 2 (LTO 2) – Capacity of up to 200GB (400GB 2:1 compression) data transfer speed of up to 80MB/s (assuming 2:1 compression). Licensed from April 2002
Generation 1 (LTO 1) – Capacity of up to 100GB (200GB 2:1 compression) data transfer speed of up to 40MB/s (assuming 2:1 compression). First Licensed in 1998 with product appearing in 2000.
The LTO program roadmap calls for the following capacity and performance figures for future generations.
Generation 6 (LTO 6) – Capacity: 8 TB (assuming a 2.5:1 compression). Data transfer speed: up to 525 MB/s (assuming a 2.5:1 compression).
Generation 7 (LTO 7) – Capacity: 16 TB (assuming a 2.5:1 compression). Data transfer speed: up to 788 MB/s (assuming a 2.5:1 compression)
Generation 8 (LTO 
– Capacity: 32 TB (assuming a 2.5:1 compression). Data transfer speed: up to 1,180 MB/s (assuming a 2.5:1 compression)
The approximate cartridge dimensions: 105 x 102 x 21mm (4.1 x 4.0 x 0.8in) which is smaller than most existing single-reel tape cartridges.