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Setting up LTO Tape drive server
hi guys is there a way to be able to write in LTFS LTO 6 Tapes faster is there a way to cache data for the tape or is there a way to efficiently write data to tape without wasting space in the tape any workflows or settings we should do ??
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1 Reply
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Hi Jeffrey,
Be aware that LTFS is wasteful in its format and layout, so you’re already getting as good as it gets with any method that you are using to write to the tape. However, this may not be a bad thing since part of the overhead is keeping track of the various file metadata. In much the same manner as a 2TB hard drive really only provides around 1.83TB of usable space due to filesystem format needs, the same happens with LTFS.
As for efficiency in writing, as long as your source volume is capable of maintaining the native speed of the tape drive, you should be okay. The other key is to stay away from the various GUI file managers – Explorer, Finder, Dolphin, etc. – when copying files to an LTFS volume. Also, be sure that things like Spotlight and Volume indexing are disabled on the LTFS volume. These all try to do “GUI” things when they are manipulating a disk volume such as generating previews, mapping metadata, and updating timestamps – all of which cause unnecessary media access. That access on an LTFS tape means that the write is paused, the tape is repositioned, the changes are generated, the tape is sent back to the index partition, more info is written, the tape is then reset to the data partition and repositioned to the EOD so that the next group of files can be written. By using command line tools like cp, copy, and xcopy, you will reduce, if not remove, those issues and greatly improve write performance to the tape.
Tim
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Tim Jones
CTO – TOLIS Group, Inc.
https://www.tolisgroup.com
BRU … because it’s the RESTORE that matters!
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