TMD adds LTFS archiving

TMD is helping its users reduce total cost of ownership by adopting an open-standards approach to long-term storage. It has now added direct LTFS support, allowing users to add a third-party data tape archive library simply and transparently.

LTFS (linear tape file system) was developed initially by IBM but is now adopted as an open standard. It is a self-describing tape format, meaning that an LTFS tape can be taken from one system to another, even when using different software, and still is readable. LTFS was launched at NAB 2010, and has particular applications in broadcast and audiovisual archives.

“Adding LTFS support to the TMD Mediaflex asset management system is a tremendously exciting development for us,” said Tony Taylor, chairman and CEO of TMD. “It will significantly reduce the cost of data tape archiving for long-term preservation. Added to our existing support for proprietary hierarchical storage management technologies, it means our customers around the world can select the deep storage solution that best meets their requirements.”

Included in the TMD LTFS module will be key functionality including partial restores and tape externalization. All LTFS tapes attached to TMD Mediaflex systems will be portable to other LTFS-compatible archives.