In one embodiment, a data storage system includes a tape drive configured to: write a plurality of files to a first partition of a magnetic recording tape; and write an index to a second partition of the magnetic recording tape, the index including information about locations of data of the plurality of files in the first partition of the magnetic recording tape. In another embodiment, a magnetic recording tape includes: a plurality of files to written to a first partition of the magnetic recording tape using a tape drive; and an index written to a second partition of the magnetic recording tape using the tape drive, the index including information about locations of data of the plurality of files in the first partition of the magnetic recording tape.