Tape Services

Tape Restoration

Tape restoration services for any tape format

Modern IT departments are busy. When an urgent archive restore request comes in, the pressure can start mounting to turn it around quickly. We can help you alleviate common tape restoration headaches and meet even the strictest of deadlines.

Our Capabilities

Ontrack has the ability to restore and repair data from corrupted, broken and inaccessible backup tapes. We can help you alleviate common tape restoration headaches and meet even the strictest of deadlines.

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Targeted Restores
Looking for a specific item? Our granular search capabilities enable you to restore exactly the data you need to the format of your choice.
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Lightning Speed
No matter how short the timeframe, we can help you. We can work 24/7/365 to restore your data so you can meet even the tightest of deadlines.
Any Media Type Icon
Any Media Type

We can recover from any type of storage media, regardless of the backup system that was originally used to store the data.

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Cloud Migration
We can prepare the extracted data, such as email, to formats ready for import into your cloud environment.
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How it works.

We use a project-based approach tailored to your exact requirements. A usual tape restoration project can include:

  • Restoring data from a tape backup
  • Recovery of inaccessible data
  • Replication and de-duplication
  • Catalog and indexing report for future data mapping
  • Development of custom software and tools
  • Conversion of your legacy media in a secure, efficient and cost-effective manner
  • Accurate bit-for-bit copy of the source data, supplied back to you in the required format

All of these steps are flexible and can be adjusted to suit your needs, particularly when the delivery deadlines for data restores are very tight.

Any tape format.

From reel-to-reel to the latest LTO tapes, we can cater for any type of magnetic storage, no matter how new or old the technology is.

Even if your media is damaged, our engineers can help using  proprietary tape recovery techniques. Here are just some of the tape formats we support, in any generation. Can’t see yours? Don’t worry, we can still help you.

Reader

Tape

Tape Capacity

IBM
3500 Series

3500 MP Series

5 to 700 GB

Sony
AIT Series | SAIT Series

8mm (AIT)

35 to 500 GB

Oracle (formerly StorageTek)
9800 Series | 10000 Series

9800 Series
10000 Series

40 to 1,000 GB

Quantum
DLT Series | SDLT Series

DLT Series
SDLT Series

80 to 800 GB

Tandberg Data
DAT Series | LTO Series
SLR Series | VXA Series

4mm, 8mm (MP)
Ultrium (generation 1-5)
SLR
VXA

38 to 6000 GB

Quantum, HP, Sony
DDS Series | DAT Series

DDS 4 mm

20 to 40 GB

IBM, HP, Quantum, Sony
LTO Series

Ultrium (generation 1-6)

200 to 6000 GB

Any backup system.

Our expertise doesn’t end with tape; we also provide additional services to assist with the migration of backup systems:

ARCserve®

Veritas NetBackup

Veritas Backup Exec

Microsoft® Backup

Catalogic® DPX

Retrospect®

CommVault®

Data Protector

IBM®

TapeWare

UltraBac

EMC®

If you don’t see your backup software here we can still assist you.

Join over a half million people and businesses who have trusted Ontrack to recover their data.

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Total data security.

We’re trusted by thousands of organizations every year with even the most sensitive data. We can provide you with:

  • Full chain of custody
  • Strict security protocols
  • Data returned on encrypted media
  • Secure courier service
  • Disposal of end-of-life media to government standards
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Is your legacy data accessible?

It’s not uncommon for businesses to have legacy backup tapes that haven’t been accessed for decades. In fact, all too often, IT teams don’t know what’s on each tape or where to find specific data if they need it.

Not only this, but many companies no longer have the hardware they need to access their legacy data.

And this can pose a problem as, when data is needed for legal or other business reasons, it’s usually needed fast.

To make they can access data when needed and avoid potential fines, you should:

  • Ensure you retain access to the relevant hardware and software until you no longer need to access the data
  • Move data from old legacy tapes over to newer formats
  • Utilize a professionally managed data service to transfer and store the tapes – they’ll also be able to restore the data when required.

Looking for tape restoration in Canada? Our team of experts can restore data from any type of storage media.

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Why work with Ontrack?

  • World-leading data management services and software since 1985
  • International coverage with 33 office locations for multi-site / jurisdiction cases
  • 24/7/365 availability
  • Over 30 years of technical experience and R&D capability to solve even the most challenging tape situations
  • Proprietary software tools that work independently of backup infrastructure/software
  • Strict security policies with chain of custody if required Q Security compliant - twice awarded by the US Department of Defense for outstanding security participation

Tape Restoration FAQs

How are custodian extractions and restores performed from tape?

Extractions and restores for investigations and legal cases are normally performed the same way as normal extractions and restores. The content of the tapes is restored either by a full or a brick-level backup (to get access to the tapes content) or by using Ontrack PowerControls for Exchange or Ontrack PowerControls for SharePoint. Using this specialised tool, you can completely eliminate a brick-level backup for single item restore. Additionally, Ontrack PowerControls provides the ability to search, collect and extract the data stored inside a backup without changing the original data source.For further investigation and legal purposes, Ontrack Legal Technology and Computer Forensic experts offer a wide range of services for every possible legal- and compliance-related situations. They provide standardised and unique processes ranging from data identification, data preservation, data collection as well as data analysis and data processing in order to gain complete insight and more control over digital document evidence.

What is the difference between a legally compliant tape restore and a normal tape restore?

Since tape content is sensitive to legal compliance and, in some cases, to legal prosecution, it is absolutely essential that the material is original. No additions or changes to the content and its metadata are allowed to be made by the backup or restoration software in use. With this in mind, only specialised software can be used to avoid inadvertent damage to evidence.Even though it is possible to restore the tape content with your standard tape backup software, it is wise to use a forensically-sound email and content management tool, like Ontrack PowerControls. It allows IT personnel to meet all critical requests from the legal department and other external enquiries. Ontrack PowerControls software can also help administrators search, recover, restore and export data efficiently in Microsoft Exchange Server and/or Microsoft SharePoint Server environments.

How can I speed up my tape restoration time?

You can use backup inventory and catalogue files. However, it is worth noting that tape restoration time should not be underestimated and forward planning is always advised to prevent disruption to your business. In order to reduce time and money spent, it is worth knowing the structure (order, sessions and tape sets) of the backup tapes. With the possibility to create inventories and catalogue files by the backup software, a good deal of time can be saved when performing a backup extraction. Since these two files contain all the necessary information for the restore process, accessing them will dramatically speed up the backup process. Since not every source and tape storage location has to be checked over and over again, the restore just relies on the information provided and will therefore be much faster.

KLDiscovery Ontrack Canada Co, 155 Gordon Baker Rd Suite 100, North York, M2H 3N7, Canada (see all locations)