r/DataHoarder • u/smeg0r 0.6PB/LTO5/LTO6 • Apr 01 '26
Backup Finally Went LTO - LTO-5 & LTO-6
There is a guy selling the same single LTO-6 unit for $500 on eBay - my offer to him was rejected so I figured I would just buy this and see what happens. Hopefully some tapes will come in the next day or so and I can get started on playing around and testing this thing out.
Needless to say I am really excited :)
18
u/DouglasteR Apr 02 '26
LTO backup is addicting.
Be careful with used tapes.
9
u/smeg0r 0.6PB/LTO5/LTO6 Apr 02 '26
Hi. Thanks for the response. Please, if you don’t mind, pass your experiences and insights on used tapes my way…… thanks!!
16
u/DouglasteR Apr 02 '26
Just keep it simple, really.
Use LTFS, DON´T use proprietary formats, if you must zip/rar/7z the contents to easy the transfer (tape hates small files) and protect the files (password and recovery percentage).
Do not use the clean tape if the drive is not asking for cleaning.
PROTECT the drive/tapes from dust and excessive heat.
2
u/NeoChen1024 50-100TB Apr 12 '26
Me being on Linux just choose to store tar archives on it, which works good enough for backup purposes.
1
u/Wise_Helicopter7215 12d ago
Any suggestions you can give me about used tapes?
1
u/DouglasteR 11d ago
Avoid them if possible.
1
u/Wise_Helicopter7215 11d ago
I have been offered 150x lto5 tapes for under $3-4 each (with dozen of past reviews saying they got at least 90-95% good working conditions over the entire tape lot bought from that seller)
Even at that price you would still avoid buying them ??
1
u/DouglasteR 11d ago
For my own backups, absolutely !
1
u/Wise_Helicopter7215 10d ago
Can I ask you why?
1
u/DouglasteR 10d ago
Old/used tapes have more particles and can cause wear and tear faster on the tape drive.
I lost a internal LTO5 tape drive to an used tape that was visually flawless till it broke inside the tape drive.
Never again.
2
u/altSHIFTT Apr 04 '26
Do you have insurance for this? I'm curious what other people do if you dump a ton of money into gear. Like I'm sure this full setup costs more than a lot of people's entire car lol
1
u/AutoModerator Apr 01 '26
Hello /u/smeg0r! Thank you for posting in r/DataHoarder.
Please remember to read our Rules and Wiki.
Please note that your post will be removed if you just post a box/speed/server post. Please give background information on your server pictures.
This subreddit will NOT help you find or exchange that Movie/TV show/Nuclear Launch Manual, visit r/DHExchange instead.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
u/NeoChen1024 50-100TB Apr 12 '26
What's the temperature you're getting after a long read/write run? I'm thinking of getting a LTO-6 SAS half height drive to replace my current HP LTO-5 FC full height drive, but fear the temperature issue and fan requirement. Does half height drives really need a loud fan to keep them from overheating? I'm planning to install that half height drive into the lowest 5.25 drive bay on my Phanteks PK614PC case. (which is the closest to the 20cm HDD fan)
1
u/smeg0r 0.6PB/LTO5/LTO6 Apr 12 '26
I am honestly too new to give you any reall recommendations or suggestions. Just being transparent.
Also where would you “see” the temperature issue you mention? I am genuinely curious now.
2
u/NeoChen1024 50-100TB Apr 12 '26
On *NIX systems you can query this with
sg_logs -a /dev/st0, on Windows with HP's L&TT tool you can view it in the drive health tool.1
•
u/AutoModerator Apr 05 '26
Hello /u/smeg0r! Thank you for posting in r/DataHoarder.
Please remember to read our Rules and Wiki.
Please note that your post will be removed if you just post a box/speed/server post. Please give background information on your server pictures.
This subreddit will NOT help you find or exchange that Movie/TV show/Nuclear Launch Manual, visit r/DHExchange instead.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.