In at least one embodiment, an optical data storage tape is provided. The optical data storage tape includes a read/write data area including a plurality of writeable tracks for storing data thereon, each writeable track having a first track width. The optical data storage tape further includes a seam area positioned proximate to the read/write data area. The seam area including a plurality of non-writeable tracks, each non-writeable track including a second track width that is greater than the first track width for each writeable track.

In at least one embodiment, an optical data storage tape including a plurality of tracks is provided. The plurality of tracks include a first track having a plurality of first informational fields configured to store one of first positional information indicative of a location on an optical tape and a first predetermined sequence of data. The plurality of tracks further include a second track located adjacent to the first track and having a plurality of second informational fields configured to store one of second positional information indicative of the location on the optical tape and a second predetermined sequence of data. The first positional information is located adjacent to the second predetermined sequence of data on the optical tape to minimize cross track interference during a read operation.

In at least one embodiment, an optical data storage tape including a plurality of tracks is provided. The plurality of tracks include a first track having a plurality of first informational fields configured to store one of first positional information indicative of a location on an optical tape and a first predetermined sequence of data. The plurality of tracks further include a second track located adjacent to the first track and having a plurality of second informational fields configured to store one of second positional information indicative of the location on the optical tape and a second predetermined sequence of data. The first positional information is located adjacent to the second predetermined sequence of data on the optical tape to minimize cross track interference during a read operation.

In one general embodiment, a method includes partitioning a magnetic recording tape having a plurality of data bands. The partitioning includes assigning no more than two wraps of a first of the data bands to an index partition, the two wraps being at an end of wraps of the first data band, and assigning all other wraps of the first data band to a data partition. No guard wraps between the index partition and the data partition are assigned.

In one general embodiment, a method includes partitioning a magnetic recording tape having a plurality of data bands. The partitioning includes assigning no more than two wraps of a first of the data bands to an index partition, the two wraps being at an end of wraps of the first data band, and assigning all other wraps of the first data band to a data partition. No guard wraps between the index partition and the data partition are assigned.

In one general embodiment, a method includes partitioning a magnetic recording tape having a plurality of data bands. The partitioning includes assigning no more than two wraps of a first of the data bands to an index partition, the two wraps being at an end of wraps of the first data band, and assigning all other wraps of the first data band to a data partition. No guard wraps between the index partition and the data partition are assigned.

In one general embodiment, a method includes partitioning a magnetic recording tape having a plurality of data bands. The partitioning includes assigning no more than two wraps of a first of the data bands to an index partition, the two wraps being at an end of wraps of the first data band, and assigning all other wraps of the first data band to a data partition. No guard wraps between the index partition and the data partition are assigned.