What is LTFS?
Linear Tape File System: a format that lets an LTO-5 or newer tape be mounted like a disk, with files you copy normally and an index stored on the tape itself.
What it is
What LTFS does
LTFS (Linear Tape File System) formats an LTO cartridge from LTO-5 onward into two partitions: a small one that holds the file index and a large one that holds the files. Mount the tape and it appears as a drive or folder; you copy files to and from it with the normal file manager or command line, and any other LTFS system can read it without the software that wrote it.
That self-describing format is why LTFS is the standard for exchanging tapes between companies, especially in film, TV and post-production.
Watch
How to Use LTFS on Linux, Mac and Windows (LTO Tape Like a USB Drive)
Software
Free LTFS software
| Tool | Systems | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IBM Storage Archive Single Drive Edition | Windows, Linux, macOS | Free; formerly Spectrum Archive SDE |
| HPE StoreOpen with LTFS | Windows, macOS, Linux | Free; for HPE drives |
| Quantum LTFS | Windows, macOS, Linux | For Quantum drives |
| LTFS reference implementation | Linux, macOS | Open source on GitHub |
| WinLtfs | Windows | Community open-source tools |
Desktop drive makers usually bundle one of these. Paid tools for media workflows add catalogues, checksums and spanning across tapes.
How to use it
Format and mount a tape
With the open-source tools on Linux, format a blank cartridge with mkltfs and mount it with ltfs, pointing both at the drive's device, then copy files into the mount point as usual. Unmount before ejecting: LTFS writes the final index on unmount, and a tape pulled without it may only show the files up to the last index.
The graphical tools do the same with a format button and a drive letter or volume.
Limits
What LTFS is not good at
- Small files. Every file costs index space and tape movement; pack thousands of small files into an archive first.
- Deleting. Deleted files do not free space. Space comes back only when you reformat the whole cartridge.
- Random access. Opening a file in the middle of a tape means winding to it, which can take a minute or two.
- Backup. LTFS is a file system, not backup software: it does not schedule, version or verify anything by itself.
Compatibility
LTFS versions and drives
LTFS works on LTO-5 and every later generation. Newer LTFS versions read tapes written by older ones, but an old tool may refuse a tape formatted with a newer index version, so use the same or a newer version when exchanging tapes. The drive must still read the cartridge generation; see the LTO capacity chart for compatibility.
More guides
Other LTO guides
What is LTO tapeThe format in one pageLTO storageHow tape storage works and costsLTO capacity chartLTO-1 to LTO-14LTO tape drive buying guideWhich drive to buyLTO tape librariesAutoloaders and librariesLTO tape lifespanHow long tapes lastLTO tape data recoveryReading old tapesCleaning tapes and labelsSupplies and handlingLTO tape newsWhat changed this month
Pricebook
Get the LTO pricebook
Request current LTO media and drive pricing before you budget a migration or a refresh.
Is LTFS free?
Yes. IBM, HPE and Quantum offer free LTFS software for their drives, and an open-source reference implementation is on GitHub.
Does LTFS work on Mac and Windows?
Yes. IBM and HPE provide LTFS for Windows and macOS, and Thunderbolt desktop drives usually ship with it.
Can I delete files on an LTFS tape?
You can delete them from the index, but the space is not reused until you reformat the whole cartridge.
Is LTFS a backup?
No. It is a file system. Use backup or archive software for scheduling, versions and verification, or add checksums and a second copy yourself.