SDLT is a variant of the DLT (Digital Linear Tape) technology developed by Digital Equipment Corporation (which was later acquired by Quantum Corporation in 1999) in 1984 with a higher capacity. SDLT adds an optical servo system that reads servo patterns on the back of the tape, in order to keep the data tracks on the front of the tape correctly aligned with the read/write heads. This is important for newer tape media, which have very thin dense data tracks. Media are guaranteed for 30 years of data retention under specified environmental conditions; however, they are easily damaged by mishandling (dropping or improper packaging during shipment). SDLT tape typically has a minimum capacity of 110 GB going up to a maximum of 800 GB with the recently developed DLT-S4 and DLT-S4A. DLT backup tape drives deliver high-performance and unparalleled reliability allowing businesses to do more with less. The Super DLT (SDLT) tape drives are well suited for storing, archiving and backing up large volumes of data in midrange UNIX and Windows NT environments.
Super DLT data tape products by Fuji, HP, Imation and Maxell are listed under categories like SDLT-1 Tape, SDLT-2 Tape, SDLT Cleaning Cartridge, SDLT Barcode Labels and SDLT Empty Cases.
