In the age of digital technology, data is everything. Every business, organization, or individual relies on data to make informed decisions, improve operations, and store important information. Data loss can be catastrophic, leading to financial loss, damage to reputation, and even legal issues.
That is why backup solutions are crucial to protect against data loss. Tape storage has been one of the most popular backup solutions for over 30 years. However, as one of our clients recently discovered, it is not without its risks.
What Happened to the Quantum Tape Drive?
Our client, a small manufacturing company, had been using Quantum Scalar tape drives for their backup solution. The Quantum Scalar tape drives are known for their reliability, high capacity, and data protection features.
The tapes they used had an archival life of up to 30 years and could store up to 6TB of data per cartridge. The data on the tapes was written in a format compatible with many tape drives, making it easy to restore data from different sources. However, several causes may lead to tape data loss.
During a flood in their area, the tapes were submerged and damaged. The data loss was significant and affected the company’s production and operations. Our client’s IT department attempted to recover the data from the tapes, but all their efforts were unsuccessful. That was when they contacted PITS Global Data Recovery Services for help.
Evaluation of Quantum Tape Backup
We specialize in tape data recovery. Our engineers are trained to work on all types of backup tapes, including LTO tapes. When we received the device, we first inspected them to determine the extent of the damage. We found that the media had suffered water damage, and the contact IC memory chip, which holds the tape’s metadata, was severely damaged.
The contact IC memory chip is a significant improvement in tape storage technology. It stores up to 16KB of metadata and is built directly onto the tape, eliminating the need for a separate chip or label. This contributes to a significant improvement in tape library management and data protection. However, in this case, the chip was damaged, and we needed to recover the data without it.
Quantum Tape Data Retrieval Process
Our engineers used advanced techniques and equipment to extract the data from the tape. We used specialized tape drives that could read the data without the metadata chip. We also used special tools to analyze the data and reconstruct the file structure. It was a challenging process, but our engineers could recover all the data from the tapes.
The advantages of using our services are many. Our engineers are trained and experienced in tape data recovery, and we have state-of-the-art facilities and equipment to handle all data recovery projects. We also offer capacity on demand, which means that we can allocate more resources to a project if needed to ensure the timely delivery of results. Additionally, our high durability, non-contact IC memory chip technology ensures that your data is protected against physical damage and data corruption.
Data loss can be catastrophic, and backup solutions are crucial to protect against it. Tape storage has been a popular backup solution for over 30 years, and it has several benefits, including reliability, capacity, and cost-effectiveness.
However, it is not without its risks, as our client discovered when their tapes were damaged by water during a flood. At PITS Global Data Recovery Services, we specialize in tape data recovery, and our engineers were able to recover all the data from the damaged tapes using advanced techniques and equipment.
Our engineers’ precise and careful work was crucial to the data recovery process. In this case, we extracted the data from the tape without the metadata chip using specialized tape drives and tools.
We also ensured that the data was reconstructed correctly and the file structure was intact. Our engineers’ experience and expertise in tape data recovery contributed to the successful recovery of our client’s data.
What to Do if The Tapes Were Submerged
Acting swiftly and cautiously is essential in minimizing data loss and attempting to recover data if your tapes have suffered damage from submersion during a flood. Here are the steps you should follow:
Safety First
Be sure to prioritize your safety before attempting any recovery efforts. Not entering flooded areas is important without proper safety precautions and protective gear. Always prioritize your well-being and the safety of those around you.
Assess the Extent of Damage
Carefully inspect the tapes to determine their condition. If the tapes are wet, handle them delicately. Avoid touching the tapes directly to prevent further damage from oils and contaminants on your hands.
Remove from Water
Handling the tapes with care is important while removing them from the water. It is advisable to avoid shaking or twisting of the tapes, as this may cause further damage.
Keep Tapes Wet
Surprisingly, keeping the tapes wet is often better than letting them dry out completely. It can help prevent the tapes from sticking together. If the tapes have come into contact with contaminated water, gently rinse them with clean, distilled water to remove impurities.
Pack and Seal
Place each tape in a resealable, waterproof bag or container to keep them moist. You can use large, resealable plastic bags or airtight containers. Do not use regular plastic bags, as they may not be airtight.
Freeze Tapes
If you cannot recover data immediately, you can store the sealed bags or containers in a freezer. Doing this will prevent the tapes from worsening, and you can seek professional help later.
Seek Professional Assistance
Contact a professional data recovery service that specializes in tape recovery. They have the expertise and equipment to recover data from damaged tapes safely.
Advantages of Our Recovery Services
While tape storage has several benefits, it has its risks. Data loss is a significant risk for businesses, organizations, and individuals, and backup solutions are crucial to protect against it. Still, at PITS Global Data Recovery Services, we specialize in tape data recovery and have the experience, expertise, and technology to recover data from damaged tapes.
PITS Global Data Recovery Services is a reputable company offering exceptional data recovery services to individuals and organizations that have experienced data loss for various reasons. Choosing our company for your data recovery needs has several advantages that make us stand out from other service providers.
One primary advantage of using our data recovery services is our team of experienced professionals. They are highly skilled in recovering data from all types of storage devices, including hard drives, SSDs, memory cards, and USB drives. Our experts have the technical knowledge and tools required to handle complex data recovery tasks and restore your data quickly and efficiently.
If you’re facing a data loss situation, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our 24/7 data recovery services are available to you, 365 days a year. Let us help you recover your precious data today.
We start the recovery process with a risk-free evaluation. Our technicians estimate reasons for data loss and the level of damage. Based on it, we select the most suitable recovery strategy.
With years in the data recovery industry, our company supports the highest customer satisfaction rate. We do everything to provide a positive experience for our clients.
During our remote customer file verification session, you will thoroughly review all necessary documents and records to ensure accuracy and compliance.
We offer data recovery services from over 50 locations across the US. This means that no matter where you are located, you can access our services to recover the data.
With our certified data recovery services and 99% success rate, we are confident that we can recover your precious data and get you back up and running in no time.
Another advantage of choosing PITS Global Data Recovery Services is our commitment to providing our clients with personalized service. We understand that every data loss scenario is unique, and we tailor our services to meet the specific needs of each client. Our recovery team works closely with clients to understand requirements and ensure the data recovery process is seamless and stress-free. We also provide regular updates on the progress of the recovery process so you are always informed and aware of the status of your data recovery.
Contact us to learn more about our recovery services and how we can help protect your data. You can get in touch with our dedicated team by filling in the form below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Quantum Tape Drive?
A Quantum tape drive is a data storage device that uses magnetic tape to store and retrieve digital information. It is frequently utilized for data archiving and backup over a prolonged period of time.
What is the Function of the Tape Drive?
A tape drive’s main purpose is to read and write data to magnetic tape. It offers a dependable and affordable method of storing vast amounts of data for archival purposes, disaster recovery, and data backup. Tape drives are frequently used with backup software to produce offline data backups for safeguarding data.
How to Prevent the Tapes from Future Flood Damage ?
Prevent future flooding by implementing measures such as elevating equipment above ground level, utilizing water-resistant storage options, or moving critical data storage away from areas with a high risk of flooding.
Why Implementing a Disaster Recovery Plan is Important?
It’s important to establish a backup and disaster recovery strategy to prevent similar occurrences. Consistently back up your data to various locations, including offsite or cloud storage.