An enterprise customer is planning a tape backup system. They want to implement an open format technology that uses linear recording. Which tape technology should they implement?

LTO was jointly developed by HP, IBM, and Quantum as an open format specification, meaning multiple vendors manufacture fully compatible drives and media. It uses a linear serpentine recording method where the tape head writes across the full width in sequential tracks. This combination of open licensing and linear recording satisfies both stated requirements simultaneously.

SDLT (Super Digital Linear Tape) is a proprietary format owned by Quantum, failing the open format requirement.

AIT (Advanced Intelligent Tape) is a proprietary format developed and controlled by Sony, not an open industry standard.

DAT (Digital Audio Tape) uses helical scan recording, where the heads spin diagonally across the tape, rather than linear recording.