HPE LTO6 – 2.5/6.25TB DATA CARTRIDGE

HPE LTO-9 Ultrium 45TB Data Cartridge – Ultra-Reliable, High-Capacity Tape for Secure Offline Archiving

The HPE LTO-9 Ultrium 45TB Data Cartridge is a next-generation magnetic tape solution engineered for mission-critical data protection, long-term archival, and high-speed backup operations. Trusted by agencies such as the US FBI, offline tape storage is recommended as a vital defense against cyber threats. By disconnecting data from the network, LTO tapes create an air gap that shields sensitive information from ransomware, malware, and unauthorized access.

Built with AES 256-bit encryption (available from LTO-5 through LTO-9), this cartridge ensures enterprise-grade security for stored data. When paired with WORM (Write Once, Read Many) media, it offers immutable protection—even if the tape falls into the wrong hands, your data remains inaccessible without proper authorization.

Lowest Total Cost of Ownership for Long-Term Archiving

According to ESG’s white paper “The Economic Benefits of HPE StoreEver as Active Archival Storage” (August 2020), LTO tape technology is over 80% more cost-effective than all-disk or all-cloud solutions over a 10-year period for a 1PB archive growing at 10% annually. Standardizing on HPE LTO Ultrium allows organizations to meet shrinking backup windows while minimizing space, power, and IT resource overhead.

The open-standard architecture of LTO ensures cross-generational compatibility, giving users flexibility and choice. HPE cartridges are available in custom-labeled and non-labeled formats to suit various deployment needs.

Unmatched Capacity & Performance

The HPE LTO-9 cartridge delivers blistering performance with native transfer speeds of 1.44 TB/hour, and a maximum compressed capacity of 45TB (assuming 2.5:1 compression). This marks a significant leap from LTO-8’s 30TB capacity, enabled by a 35% increase in track count and a 3% boost in bit density. With 8,960 tracks compared to LTO-6’s 2,176, the LTO-9 format offers a 311% improvement in data density and scalability.

Ultra-Reliable Storage Medium

Tape remains one of the most reliable storage technologies available. LTO-8 and LTO-9 offer a bit error rate (BER) of 1×10¹⁹, compared to 1×10¹⁵ for enterprise SATA HDDs—making tape 10,000 times more reliable. Over a 10-year span, a 1 Exabyte archive would experience 1.1 Petabytes of data loss on HDD, versus just 7.4 Terabytes on tape.

HPE’s rigorous qualification testing—including load/unload cycles, shoeshine resistance, drop testing, and environmental stress simulations—ensures maximum reliability and data integrity under real-world conditions.

Advanced Mechanical Design for Automation

The cartridge features a smart grabber mechanism and mechanical interlock to prevent the leader pin from retracting into the housing, which could render the tape unusable. Integrated sensors verify proper connection, preventing misfeeds and leader loss. A simplified tape path reduces wear, tear, and debris buildup—critical for automated library environments and robotic handling systems.

Key Features & Benefits

• Capacity: 18TB native / 45TB compressed
• Speed: Up to 1.44 TB/hour native transfer rate
• Security: AES 256-bit encryption + WORM support
• Reliability: BER of 1×10¹⁹ for superior data integrity
• Compatibility: Open-standard LTO format with RW and WORM options
• Durability: Engineered for long-term use and automated systems
• Cost Efficiency: Lowest TCO for long-term archival storage
• Smart Design: Leader protection, simplified tape path, and automation-ready

The HPE LTO-9 Ultrium 45TB Data Cartridge is the ultimate solution for organizations seeking scalable, secure, and cost-effective data storage. Whether you’re archiving petabytes of digital content or safeguarding mission-critical records, this cartridge delivers unmatched performance, protection, and peace of mind.