A SAN attached server needs nightly backups for 4TB of data, but only has a single LTO2 tape drive. What should the administrator do for better backup capacity?

Using a tape library instead of a single tape drive significantly enhances the backup capacity and operational efficiency for the server managing 4TB of data. A tape library can hold multiple tape cartridges, allowing for simultaneous backups or sequential backups without the need for manual intervention to change tapes. This automation streamlines the backup process, especially important during nightly operations where time constraints are common.

With a tape library, the server can back up more data in one night, minimizing the risk of data loss and ensuring that all necessary information is captured within the required backup window. Additionally, tape libraries often provide features such as improved reliability, improved performance, and better management tools, which contribute to a more robust backup solution overall.

While upgrading the tape drive to a higher capacity model, like an LTO3, could also help, it would still only allow for one tape to be used at a time, limiting overall backup capacity and efficiency. Thus, implementing a tape library provides a more scalable and efficient solution for handling large volumes of data backups.