RDX Vs. LTO

Welcome to another exciting episode of Flare Compare! Today, we'll be comparing LTO (Linear Tape-Open) and RDX (Removable Disk Exchange), two popular storage technologies that have been duking it out for years. So, let's get started and see which one comes out on top!

Overview

LTO is a tape-based storage technology that provides high-capacity storage at a low cost. It has been around since the late '90s and has gone through several iterations, with LTO-9 being the latest as of 2021. RDX, on the other hand, is a removable disk-based storage technology developed by Tandberg in 2004. It offers a smaller form factor, portability, and faster data transfer speeds than LTO.

Capacity

When it comes to storage capacity, LTO wins hands down. The latest version, LTO-9, has a native storage capacity of 18 TB and a compressed storage capacity of up to 45 TB. In contrast, the highest capacity currently available for RDX is 4 TB.

Speed

RDX has a clear speed advantage as it uses disk-based storage instead of tape-based technology. The transfer rate for RDX ranges from 45 to 300 MB/s, depending on the model, while LTO-9 offers a transfer rate of up to 400 MB/s. However, it's worth noting that RDX speeds can be affected by disk fragmentation and other factors.

Reliability

Both LTO and RDX technologies are known for their robustness and reliability. However, tape-based storage technology in LTO offers greater longevity than disk-based RDX storage. Tape cartridges can withstand up to 30 years of archive storage, while RDX cartridges generally have a shelf life of five years.

Cost

One of the primary advantages of LTO is its low cost per GB of storage. LTO cartridges are significantly cheaper than RDX cartridges, with prices ranging from $30 to $100 per cartridge, depending on the capacity. RDX cartridges, in contrast, are priced at around $200 to $300 per cartridge.

Verdict

So, which one should you choose? Well, it depends on your needs. If you require high-capacity storage at a low cost, LTO is the way to go. However, if speed and portability are your primary concerns, RDX is the better option. Ultimately, the choice between LTO and RDX comes down to your specific data storage requirements.

We hope this comparison has been informative and helpful. As always, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

References

• "Linear Tape-Open." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 June 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linear_Tape-Open.
• "Removable Disk Exchange." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 10 May 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Removable_Disk_Exchange.