If you regularly back up large databases, you should use DLT drives, if they are supported for your platform. In any case, Sybase recommends that you use multiple tape drives.
Digital Linear Tape (DLT) on UNIX systems
4 mm Digital Data Storage (DDS)
8 mm
Sybase IQ BACKUP does not support jukeboxes or robotic loaders. If you need them, use a third party media manager.
Sybase IQ BACKUP does not support fixed-length tape devices on UNIX systems, like Quarter Inch Cartridge (QIC) drives.