Tape Masters

Our expertise has been built up over many years. We have always focused on the many facets of Tape Data Interchange or Tape Data Processing.

We have always understood the importance of reliable Backup Solutions and these systems have become much more sofisticated over the past few years and whilst we retain a pertinent and historical understanding of Tape Systems we also understand where other technologies like Disk Based Backup solutions have their advantages as well as disadvantages.

As well as the various hardware options there are also Software solutions that have better performance and application in some circumstances than others.
Our intention is to provide a solution which will undertake the tasks you require of it and a price and performance that will satisfy your operational budget.

We have developed a shop on this site where many of the smaller and 'off-the-shelf' items can be purchased.

Tape Drives for Data Interchange and Data Processing
We have many years experince in Supply, Maintenance and Repair of High performance Tape Subsystems including 3590, 3490E/3480 and 1/2" Open Reel. We still supply many of the legacy tape drives as second user or factory refurbished units, all are tested and warranted with a proof of Read/Write performance. All units are certified ready to be taken on to Maintenance (if required). We support our customers and all the units we supply so you can purchase locally with peace of mind.

Performance Criteria.
Our expertise is not only confined to the problems found in Data Interchange or Data Processing, Backup and Archival activities are just as vulnerable to the problems of real-time tape processing, they remain hidden until a catastrophe occurs (usually when a system restore is required and the backup tape fails to read). Performance is another issue as the backup window appears to get ever narrower. Budgets allow for increased Tape Drive performance but a replacement drive with superior data transfer capability may not produce the required backup performance increase, in the end the whole system seems to run slower.You may not have needed to change the drive just the way you use it. We at TapeMasters are able to help identify where any issues may arise. The tape drives in this sector feature LTO(2), SDLT, DLT also Exabyte, AIT, QIC/SLR. All have their benefits and limitations from looks to reliability & cost to performance and more. To help identify what is the best fit for your business we not only find the correct tape drive mechanism but we aim to supply the appropriate Autoloader or Tape Library. There are some examples of these in the Products page. We are able to supply Tape Drives and Libraries with a variety of interfaces SCSI, Fibre Channel, IPSCSI etc. and configurations from the number of drives installed to scaleable devices with capacity to several Terrabytes of Storage

Media Management and Tape Cleaners
There are just as many requirements for Media & Media Management. The expansion in computer generated data has resulted in it becoming an increasingly important strategic asset to most organisations. Both system performance and data integrity can be seriously compromised by media related problems. The principle tape drive manufacturers and Standards organisations, such as IBM, Fujitsu-ICL, BSI and ISO etc have all recommended Media Management programs to identify, Clean, Replace or Rehabilitate dirty or damaged media. We are able to assist users identify and use a range of selected Media Management equipment together with a range of Media (Tapes etc) which will ensure optimum performance and integrity

Media
Media is often overlooked as a key component in the performance of a Backup as it is in real-time acquisition. To ensure continued good performance we are able to advise on the selection of all media and to comprehensively test the error rates of all tape media and can quickly identify errors and use for incomming goods inspection. Including 3590, 3490E/3480, LTO/LTO2 SDLT/DLT QIC/SLR, 4&8mm.

Software
Tape Drives are required to fulfil a variety of tasks from data acquisition and interchange to large backup operations, as well as being attached to increasingly diverse systems, from standalone PC's to complex networks. In order to realise the best system performance, we offer a selected range of software products for Media Conversion, Duplication and Backups.

Backup Software includes:- Yosemite, Acronis, Backbone, Retrospect as well as Brightstor and Veritas.

Disk-2-Disk-Tape systems
Disk-2-Disk-2-Tape, or indeed to another disk system (D2D2Ne), systems are available now as either a turnkey solution "all in one box" or as a flexible and configurable solution to accomodate small or large data requirements with intermmediate save and restore pointers and encryption to the archive medium. The software from Yosemite also has a D2D2Ne component for simple solutions along with "snap type servers for extra storage. Checkout the D2D2T page on this site

Disk Systems for Backup
RDX disk takes market by storm see our shop for products

View RDX products...

Duplication Systems
A range of 'Industrial Grade' Tape and Disk - Optical, CD & DVD Duplication Systems. Designed and built in the USA the product has an easy to use Windows based user interface. Can create an identical copy on the same or differing media. Can run concurrent jobs and repeat jobs from stored data.