2006-12-27 01:19:47 · 7 answers · asked by karthik r 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Add-ons
A tape drive is a data storage device that reads and writes data stored on a magnetic tape or a punched tape.
It is typically used for archival storage of data stored on hard drives. The government stores the citizens' information on tape drives because they are much cheaper than hard drives. Tape media generally has a favorable unit cost and long archival stability.
Instead of allowing random-access to data as hard disk drives do, tape drives only allow for sequential-access of data. A hard disk drive can move its read/write heads to any random part of the disk platters in a very short amount of time, but a tape drive must spend a considerable amount of time winding tape between reels to read any one particular piece of data. As a result, tape drives have very slow average seek times. Despite the slow seek time, tapes drives can stream data to tape very quickly. For example, modern LTO drives can reach continuous data transfer rates of up to 80 MB/s, which is as fast as most 10,000 rpm hard disks.
2006-12-27 01:26:36 · answer #1 · answered by Esse Est Percipi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A tape drive was just just like a floppy disk once upon a time. Basically it looked just like a cassette recorder and you used regular cassette tapes to store programs. However, some huge servers still use a massage tape drive just for backing up large amounts of data.
2006-12-27 01:23:14 · answer #2 · answered by ŋoir 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pretty much an old fashioned storage device that is still used to back up files.
Some companies still use tape drives to back up servers, and some individuals also still use tapes to back up their systems.
The tape is pretty much the standard 8mm tape used in old camcorders.
Its reasonably inexpensive, so many companies continue to use it instead of upgrading to more efficient backup systems.
-dh
2006-12-27 01:24:54 · answer #3 · answered by delicateharmony 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Tape drive is a backup medium - and comes in lots of different types and capacitys - they can hold a substanial amount of data far more than a DVD / CD
A Lot of graphic design companys use tham as they need the capacity they provide
2006-12-27 01:24:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are used for backup. Instead of a hard drive daily/weekly back ups are put onto magnetic cassettes and removed. A bit like a commercial cassette for music, but on a larger scale. Off course with the cost of hard drives coming down, this is no longer necessary, a back up of a system can reside on a removable hot-swap drive.
2006-12-27 01:23:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Storage media used for low cost and effectiveness of how much the tapes can hold.. It is getting to be knocked out of use, with the expansion of DVD media and the capacity of those discs..
2006-12-27 01:21:56 · answer #6 · answered by keith s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a tape drive is a storage device simmilar to a digital caset recorder for a stereo. it goes in one direction and is made for large scale backup purposes only, since it isnt random access capable like a cd or hard disk.
2006-12-27 01:21:40 · answer #7 · answered by Dashes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋