LTFS backup

Silverstack enables media backups to LTO tapes using the LTFS (Linear Tape File System) format. Because of the sequential nature of tape storage, LTO backups require a specific copy and verification approach. Silverstack handles this by first copying all files to the tape and then performing a verification pass after rewinding, ensuring a single tape seek is needed per backup job, which saves time and wear on the hardware. Silverstack supports any LTO drive that mounts as an LTFS volume on macOS. If the volume is accessible through Finder, it can be used for backups in Silverstack.

You need some knowledge about the workflow configuration window to follow the tutorial below.

Starting backups to LTFS#

Note: Tape formatting must be completed using your LTO drive’s utility tool before starting a backup in Silverstack.

Tip: Silverstack supports backups to a single LTO tape per job. Since no data capacity information is available for LTO tapes, we recommend confirming manually that your backup size fits within the tape’s capacity to prevent jobs from failing.

Ensure the LTFS volume is mounted correctly.
In Silverstack, select the bins in the library you want to backup using LTFS and open the workflow configuration window via Media > Backup.
If the assets have multiple resources on different volumes, we recommend to select the fastest volume to increase the general performance.
In the backup activity, Silverstack asks you to define the volume type. Click the button LTFS to flag the volumes as LTFS.
Ensure the job execution is set to “Separate Verification Job”.
Configure the other options as needed, e.g. the checksum method.
Click Backup to start the backup.

Silverstack will automatically handle the backup and verification process optimized for LTFS tapes:

Copying all files first
Verifying after a single rewind

You can monitor the backup progress and result via the jobs view.

Tip: Within the jobs view, you can also flag volumes as LTFS in the details bar of a selected volume.