HPE T950V Tape Library — 1 Drive Bay Assembly, Max 4 LTO Drives, 1000 Slots

Engineered for data centers that demand scalable backup, disaster recovery, and long-term archival capabilities, the HPE T950V Tape Library delivers field-proven reliability paired with storage innovation. This enterprise-class tape library is designed to protect growth in data with a robust, automated solution that simplifies management while reducing operational risk. With a compact 1 drive bay assembly configuration and the capacity to accommodate up to four LTO drives and 1000 cartridge slots, the T950V is ideal for organizations pursuing resilient, cost-efficient, and scalable data protection. It combines precise robotic handling, efficient media lifecycle management, and seamless integration with industry-standard backup software to meet stringent recovery objectives and compliance requirements. Whether you’re consolidating multiple data centers, extending retention periods for compliance, or creating robust DR workflows, the HPE T950V delivers reliable performance, simple administration, and long-term value.

• Unmatched capacity and scalability for growing data footprints. The HPE T950V Tape Library is built to handle expanding backup and archive needs without forcing a complete forklift upgrade. Its 1000-slot cartridge capacity provides ample room for multiple generations of LTO media, enabling organizations to extend retention policies and consolidate tapes from dispersed sites. With support for up to four LTO drives in a single enclosure, this library can scale the number of cartridges and data streams in line with evolving data protection strategies, ensuring your backup windows stay predictable even as data volumes surge. The architecture is designed to maximize media utilization and minimize the cost of ownership over time, making it a prudent investment for enterprises pursuing long-term storage resilience.
• Enterprise-class reliability and rugged design for mission-critical workloads. In environments where downtime is unacceptable, the T950V delivers dependable robotics, precise media handling, and durable components that tolerate routine operations with minimal intervention. Automated cartridge handling reduces the risk of human error, while built-in diagnostics help identify issues before they impact backups. The library’s robust construction and proven reliability translate into consistent performance during routine backups, DR tests, and archival jobs, giving IT teams confidence that critical data remains accessible when it matters most. This reliability extends to maintenance cycles and firmware updates, designed to keep the system resilient against evolving data protection requirements.
• Comprehensive library management and automation that simplify operations. The HPE T950V integrates advanced library management features that streamline tape robotics, inventory control, and media lifecycle. With automated barcode tracking, slot allocation, and health monitoring, you can optimize throughput and reduce manual intervention. The library supports integration with common backup software and management interfaces, enabling centralized control of media pools, retention policies, and access controls. This level of automation not only accelerates backup and restore workflows but also supports accurate auditing, reporting, and compliance documentation essential for regulated deployments.
• Flexible deployment and seamless integration with data protection ecosystems. The T950V is designed to fit into diverse data-center architectures, including on-premises backups, DR testing environments, and hybrid workflows that combine cloud tiering with physical storage. It supports standard LTO Ultrium media, enabling straightforward media interchange and long-term retention. Its management interfaces are compatible with enterprise backup software ecosystems, making it easier to coordinate with existing infrastructure, virtualization platforms, and recovery objectives. This flexibility helps organizations future-proof their investment as data protection strategies evolve and regulatory demands intensify.
• Simplified maintenance, serviceability, and ongoing support. The T950V emphasizes ease of maintenance through modular components, clear diagnostic indicators, and straightforward serviceability. Routine tasks such as media loading, robotic calibration, and firmware updates can be performed with minimal downtime, helping to maximize backup windows and reduce operational friction. HPE’s support ecosystem and documented best practices further streamline warranty claims, spare-part availability, and expert guidance when necessary, enabling IT teams to maintain peak performance with fewer interruptions and lower total cost of ownership.

Technical Details of HPE T950V Tape Library

• Model: HPE T950V Tape Library
• Drive Bay Configuration: 1 Drive Bay Assembly
• Maximum LTO Drives: 4
• Cartridge Slots: 1000
• Media Type: LTO Ultrium tapes
• Library Management: Enterprise-grade automated media handling with integrated monitoring and reporting compatible with standard backup software
• Protection and Reliability: Field-proven reliability for backups, DR, and archival workflows with robust robotics and fault-tolerant design

How to install HPE T950V Tape Library

• Plan and prepare your environment: Ensure adequate space for the tape library, including proper ventilation, power supply, and cable management. Verify that the installation area meets the environmental requirements outlined in the user manual and confirm compatibility with your backup infrastructure.
• Unpack and inspect the unit: Remove packaging, inspect for shipping damage, and verify that all required accessories are present. Confirm that the 1 Drive Bay Assembly and 4 LTO drive options are properly configured for your intended deployment.
• Rack-mounting or placement: Position the library in a secure location that allows easy access for media handling and maintenance. If mounting in a rack, follow standard 19-inch rack practices and align mounting rails per the installation guide.
• Connect power and data interfaces: Attach the power supply and connect data interfaces to your server or backup controller following the specified cabling guidelines. Ensure that any SAS, SCSI, or network connectivity requirements are met and that cables are securely seated to prevent disconnects during operation.
• Configure and calibrate: Power on the system and use the onboard management interface or compatible software to perform initial configuration. Calibrate robotics, set device names, define media pools, and attach the library to your backup software. Run a health check, verify drive detection, and perform a test load/unload of tapes to confirm proper operation.
• Load media and establish workflows: Insert LTO tapes, assign them to media pools, and configure retention and lifecycle policies in accordance with your data protection strategy. Validate backup and restore workflows with a controlled test to ensure data integrity and recovery readiness.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the capacity of the HPE T950V Tape Library? The system supports up to 1000 cartridge slots and up to 4 LTO drives, providing substantial capacity for backups, archives, and DR workflows, while offering room to grow as your data protection requirements expand.
• What media does it support? The T950V is designed for LTO Ultrium tapes, enabling compatibility with a range of generations. Always verify the drive generation and media compatibility to ensure optimal performance and retention.
• Can the library be managed remotely? Yes. It features enterprise-class library management capabilities with monitoring, reporting, and integration options that align with common backup software and centralized IT management environments.
• Is professional installation recommended? For mission-critical environments, professional installation is advised to maximize performance, ensure correct configuration, and set up integration with your backup and DR workflows. The process includes calibration, media pool setup, and security considerations.
• What are typical use cases? Ideal for backup, disaster recovery, long-term archival storage, regulatory compliance, and data retention policy enforcement in enterprise data centers and multi-site deployments.