6.3.12 Selection and Monitoring of Data Tape Media

6.3.12.1  As with any conventional preservation system, it is important not only to have backups and redundancy in case of failures in media or components, but it is vital to establish and to measure performance standards for key parts of the system. Software such as SCSI-Tools will allow a lower level of interrogation of individual drives and devices on a network to determine if media and hardware are performing at their optimum level. LTO tape has an interface for data monitoring, however this functionality is rarely utilised though it would be advantageous for archival systems. Some HSM systems are capable of monitoring the quality of stored assets on a regular basis. These systems monitor the error rates of tapes while users access the assets or read the assets without user intervention if a tape has not been used during a certain period of time.