Long Term File System (LTFS): An Open Format Specification for LTO 5 and Onwards
LTFS (Linear Tape File System) also known as Long Term File System (LTFS)
provides a file system on an LTO-5 cartridge that appears as a disk-like file system
when accessed with LTFS client-side software. It is based on open source software
with versions available for Mac OSX, Windows, Linux and Unix. LTFS was initially
developed by IBM and was released to the open source domain. All LTO consortium
members, including IBM, HP and Quantum, now support LTFS. Recently, the open
format specification for LTFS Version 2.0.0 has been
released on March 11, 2011. As the per the white paper published by International
Data Corporation (IDC), the open standards provided by the LTO program will
encourage competition among suppliers of tape storage systems.
LTFS is excellent for long term storage (i.e. archiving). All current long term
storage options on tape require the archive software to create their own tape
format, or to use an existing encapsulation system (e.g. tar). If you are talking
seriously long term storage (several years to many decades), there is a real
possibility that the company that made the tape format you are using could cease
to exist. Having a tape format that is independent of the application is an awesome
way to work around this issue. Archive software companies have already expressed
interest in supporting this new format.
References:
LTFS Open Format Specification Version 2.0.0 Released on March 11, 2011
LTFS FAQs
LTO Ultrium: Confirming the Value Proposition by Robert Amatruda John T. McArthur, A White Paper
published by IDC, May 2003
What is LTFS? by George Crump, Senior Analyst
LTFS: Crazy like a fox, Backup Central by W. Curtis Preston
