HP StoreOpen with LTFS for Windows: Making tape as easy to access and share as disk

[#1]

By Simon Watkins, Worldwide Tape Product Marketing Manager, HP Storage

I’m proud to say that HP Tape’s unique blend of cost-effective, scalable, dependable and removable storage has always delivered proven benefits when it comes to protecting and retaining your data. 

However, I’ll admit it:  accessing and sharing files on HP tape in Windows environments has not been as easy as disk. . . until now.

Just launched, HP StoreOpen with Linear Tape File System (LTFS) for Windows is a new tape-based file system for HP LTO-5 tape that is a true game changer when it comes to the usability and portability of tape in standalone Microsoft Windows environments. Watch this demo for HP StoreOpen with LTFS for Windows right now:

For best viewing, watch the video on YouTube in HD, and change to full screen mode.

What does HP StoreOpen with LTFS for Windows do?

LTFS for Windows from HP makes LTO-5 tape self-describing, file-based and easy-to-use.  It provides you with the ability to use standard Windows file operations on tape media for accessing, managing and sharing files with an interface that looks just like a hard disk.  

In addition, LTFS for Windows from HP allows you to share data across platforms, as you would with a USB drive or memory stick. Simply load a tape into the drive, mount it into the file system, and it becomes visible as a disk.

What are the 3 key benefits of LTFS for Windows?

1. LTFS is an extension of your Windows operating system, so now tape is as easy to access as a disk drive. View tape contents in your Windows browser directory tree and move files to and from tape via simple drag and drop.
2. Tape media written using LTFS is self-describing so that tape data access is independent of any hardware or software platforms. LTFS tapes can be shared easily across different operating systems and software.
3. LTFS is an open format for storing data on tape. It therefore minimizes software dependencies, maximizes recoverability and facilitates the use of tape for long-term archives.

How does HP StoreOpen for Windows extend the value of LTFS?

HP StoreOpen software simplifies the process of using LTFS so it is even easier to take advantage of this groundbreaking technology.

HP StoreOpen Standalone for Windows is a free application that helps LTFS users to use and manage single HP tape drives. Available for Mac and Windows environments, it completely removes the need for low-level terminal commands by guiding you through the full process of selecting, preparing and mounting an LTFS cartridge.

Media & entertainment use cases for HP StoreOpen with LTFS

HP StoreOpen and LTFS delivers particular value for industries such as media and entertainment, healthcare and video surveillance – wherever increasing volumes of images, audio and video need to be protected, retained and distributed.

HP StoreOpen and LTFS provide an affordable and portable archive solution for rich media with an open tape format that stores files in application-independent self-describing fashion. The result? The simple interchange of content across platforms and workflows.

Check out this selection of HP case studies that showcase the benefits of LTFS in the media and entertainment sector:

>> DigitalFilm Tree accelerates Hollywood’s transition to LTO-5 with LTFS storage technology (PDF)

>> Realising a data archive environment for computer graphics that designers can operate easily (PDF)

>> BAMM TV customer testimonial (video)

Using tape has never been easier

Whether using a single HP LTO-5 tape drive, or a complete HP LTO-5 tape library solution, HP StoreOpen with LTFS delivers faster access to data, simple drag-and-drop capabilities and increased data mobility.  

Watch the video now: The value of HP StoreOpen with LTFS

Free download: HP StoreOpen standalone with LTFS for Windows

Free webinar: HP StoreOpen with LTFS

Learn more

>> HP StoreOpen product details

>>  LTFS overview

>> LTFS Hits the Mark in Media and Entertainment: An In-Depth Introduction to LTFS (PDF)

[#2]

Hi,

Thanks for LTFS news. I downloaded and tested it, it works fine but having an TR character coding issue which I have lots of file name that includes TR special characters like "Ş İ" . Windows OS can use those filenames without problem but when I try to transfer those files to LTO5, it wirtes an error. Do you know if the HPLTFS utility develeopers will provide a solution for character issue?

regards

[#3]

We are also having some odd problems with the Version 2.0 of HP's LTFS. 

Sometimes it sais, the file can't be written, as it exists already. But it doesn't. 

Once I copy it over and say "overwrite", it overwrites a complete different filename. 

The names are no special character, but in those directories are about 30.000 files, that have an ongoing naming. 

like r1241242, r1241243 and so on. 

So for us it's not a character issue, but somehow it messes this up. No rule to it, on 100.000 files it didn't happen, and then suddenly it did. 

Sure, we could make a zip and just copy that over, but we tried to not go this way. 

Any thoughts where this error comes from, is it a Windows 2012 specific issue, as the driver doesn't say it's supported yet. We had to use the Windows 2008 x64 driver. 

Thanks

[#4]

We've been using LTFS on OSX and Windows 7 for some months now.

It is very useful to us but clearly still a work in progress.

It is all to easy to lock up explorer with LTFS and necessitate a reboot.

AND, Windows 2012 server is not yet supported.

At almost every trade show I am regaled with manufacturers telling me about the benefits of LTFS.  The marketing is not being matched by the quality of the software.  That applies more to Hp than others as HP has been very slow to get the Windows version out the door.

ROland Rodgers

[#5]

Hi Roland - always appreciate the feedback.  I just got an LTO-6 drive from the team and installed it on my Windows 7 Workstation.  I have tons of raw video files that I have shot and I really don't want to delete them so I'm loving having LTFS. 

As to you question, a new version of HP StoreOpen Standalone is going to be released in the next couple of months. Further improvements and features are being added to the current version, including support for Windows 2012, so stay tuned for that.

The LTFS specification has now been adopted by SNIA (Storage Network Industry Association) for further development with an LTFS technical working group with engineers from the storage industry so that is great news for LTFS. Thanks again!