Maintaining tape emulation consistency includes writing additional tape data to a first local storage device at a local site, writing tape emulation data to a second local storage device at the local site, where the second local storage device is different from the first local storage device, and maintaining consistency of the first and second local storage devices in connection with transferring data to a remote site. Maintaining consistency of the first and second local storage devices may include initiating a cycle switch that causes a concurrent cycle change from a first cycle to a second cycle for the first and second local storage devices. Additional tape data and tape emulation data written before a first time is associated with a first cycle. Additional tape data and tape emulation data written after the first time and before a second time is associated with a second cycle.