A duplicate on magnetic tape of the information on a hard disk. The alternative to tape backup is copying onto a second hard disk which is pretty expensive or copying dozens of 3.5-inch disks which is time-consuming.
an example of the least expensive backup media option for the market today
Three main tape storage formats are DAT (Digital Audio Tape), DLT (Digital Linear Tape) and LTO. The latter two offer the greatest storage capacities. The availability of automated tape libraries significantly expands the overall storage capacity.
backup of data and or other file s to computer tape. The PC has to have an external tape drive attached. The back up is either done on a file by file basis - individual files can be restored or an individual "image" back up of the disk where individual files cannot always be restored.
The use of magnetic tape for storing duplicate copies of hard disk files.
File storage and transfer medium. Both nine-track tape and smaller format tape cartridges are commonly used. Tape backup is used for protecting and transferring files, because tape has a high density of data storage. to top
Copies of data and programs files are called backups. Most backups systems fit into one of two categories; tape or disk. With microcomputers, tape backups can be performed on systems with hard disk drives and internal or external tape backup drive. Most tape drives for microcomputers use a magnetic tape cassette or cartridge. There are generally two types of tape backups, image and file-by-file. An image backup operation creates one dataset on the magnetic tape, containing all the information that was on the disk drive. A file-by-file backup allows the operator to select certain files and/or subdirectories from the disk to be backed-up.
Tape backup refers to taking a copy of files from the normal storage device onto a tape cartridge device. This can be done as a precautionary measure or for archiving. The process can be done manually or automatically, if you have suitable software.
In industry terms, tape backup is a process of copying electronic data from a storage device, such as a computer's hard drive, to a tape cartridge device. This security measure ensures that the data is not lost in the event of an equipment failure or disaster. Tape backup can be achieved manually or programmed to occur automatically.
To copy files to a second medium (a disk or tape) as a precaution in case the first medium fails.