Fujifilm and IBM cooperate to create a tape system with a native storage capacity of 50TB

In a recent collaboration, Fujifilm and IBM have developed a tape storage system with a native capacity of 50TB, standing unrivaled as the highest-capacity tape storage system worldwide.

This tape storage system, now in production, employs IBM’s enterprise-grade tape drive, the TS1170. It incorporates a newly developed refined mixed magnetic particle technology, enabling a heightened storage density.

According to Fujifilm, this refined mixed magnetic particle technology amalgamates the next-generation strontium ferrite (SrFe) magnetic particles with the currently used barium ferrite (BaFe) magnetic particles. This synergy significantly reduces the size of individual magnetic particles while augmenting their magnetism, elevating the overall storage density of the tape and ensuring the reliability of data storage.

On another front, the new tape system leverages a high-dispersion technique, ensuring a more uniform distribution of magnetic particles on the tape surface. This prevents clusters of magnetic particles, which could impede storage efficacy. Moreover, the system uses a thinner, more stable base film to support the magnetic layer, extending the tape’s length by 15% compared to its predecessor, thus amplifying its storage capacity.

Given that data centers still grapple with the immense demand for cold data storage, tape systems remain a viable choice for many enterprises. They offer long-term storage and come with relatively lower costs, making them apt for data that requires extended backups and is infrequently accessed.