We used to call it “sneakernet,” a term for the practice of physically carrying data between computers. Way back when, it was done with floppy disks; more recently, it’s being done with USB thumb drives. In reality, there’s frequently a need to get data somewhere quickly and easily without networks or protocols to worry about.

LTO-5 can provide an inexpensive and easy way to transport files without being encumbered by an application; the LTFS software must be running on a Linux or Mac computer (Windows coming shortly), but it’s essentially a utility.

Users can now drag and drop files to an LTO tape and call it backup, possibly replacing the backup software at some SMBs. They can also carry the tape offsite and call it DR, similarly replacing the USB drive being used for that purpose. Or they can just copy data to it and call it a 3 TB thumb drive — the new millennium’s version of the sneakernet. They could even replace the USB hard drive they’re using now and fill it over and over for $25 per terabyte (this assumes a $75-per-cartridge cost). LTO-5 could be the technology that makes cloud backup attractive, as it enables users to easily upload their data en masse and restore it the same way.

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