HPE StoreEver LTO-7 Ultrium 15000 Internal Tape Drive

Engineered for enterprise data protection, the HPE StoreEver LTO Ultrium tape drives represent seven generations of LTO technology, delivering scalable, secure, and high-performance archival storage. The HPE StoreEver LTO-7 Ultrium 15000 Internal Tape Drive is built to store up to 15 TB per cartridge (with compression) and to handle the demanding backup, restore, and long-term retention needs of modern data centers. This drive blends enterprise-grade reliability with streamlined manageability, enabling organizations to protect vast datasets cost-effectively while simplifying operational workflows. It combines hardware-based data encryption, advanced health monitoring, and user-friendly LTFS capabilities to deliver a robust, future-proof solution for archiving, disaster recovery, and compliance requirements.

At the core of this solution is a commitment to performance and efficiency. The LTO-7 Ultrium 15000 drive is designed to support large-scale backups across complex environments, delivering sustained transfer rates and dependable media handling that minimize downtime during critical restore operations. With HPE TapeAssure for proactive health monitoring, IT teams receive actionable insights to prevent data loss, optimize media usage, and extend the life of backup infrastructure. HPE StoreOpen with LTFS enables straightforward tape access and transfer of data to and from tape as if it were a portable disk, facilitating seamless integration with existing storage workflows and reducing the friction of adopting tape in modern data protection strategies.

• Unmatched capacity and density: Each cartridge can hold up to 15 TB of data with compression, enabling more data to be archived in a smaller physical footprint and reducing the number of cartridges and drive hardware required for large-scale backups.
• Enterprise-grade performance: Internal SAS interface and optimized data paths provide fast, predictable transfer rates that accelerate backup windows and shorten recovery times in busy environments.
• Hardware encryption for security: Integrated AES-256 hardware-based encryption protects sensitive data at rest, helping meet stringent regulatory requirements and corporate security policies without sacrificing performance.
• StoreOpen LTFS for ease of use: HPE StoreOpen with LTFS makes tape more accessible by presenting tape data in a familiar, file-based format, simplifying file-based restores and data sharing across diverse platforms.
• Proactive health and manageability: HPE TapeAssure provides telemetry and health analytics to monitor drive and media conditions, enabling predictive maintenance, reducing unplanned downtime, and extending the life of the backup infrastructure.

Technical Details of HPE StoreEver LTO-7 Ultrium 15000 Internal Tape Drive

• Capacity (native/compressed per cartridge): Native up to 6 TB; compressed up to 15 TB per cartridge, depending on data compression.
• Data transfer rate: Up to 300 MB/s native transfer rate, enabling efficient archiving of large datasets.
• Interface: Internal SAS connection (commonly 6 Gb/s), designed for direct integration into server backplanes and storage subsystems.
• Form factor: Internal half-height Ultrium tape drive suitable for standard 5.25-inch bays in servers and storage enclosures.
• Encryption: Hardware-based AES-256 encryption to protect data at rest without impacting performance.
• Software and format support: HPE StoreOpen LTFS support for easy file-based access and interoperability with a variety of operating systems and backup tools.
• Health and management: HPE TapeAssure provides proactive monitoring and health analytics to help prevent failures and streamline maintenance planning.
• Compatibility: Designed to work with the HPE StoreEver family, and compatible with standard LTO-7 media for reliable archival storage and retrieval.

How to Install HPE StoreEver LTO-7 Ultrium 15000 Internal Tape Drive

• Power down the server or storage chassis and open the chassis cover according to the manufacturer’s safety guidelines.
• Identify an available 5.25-inch drive bay and secure the HPE LTO-7 internal tape drive in place using the appropriate screws and mounting rails for the chassis.
• Connect the internal SAS data cable to the drive’s SAS port and attach the power connector to the drive, ensuring all connections are snug and properly seated.
• Power on the system and enter the server’s firmware or operating system setup to recognize the new tape drive. Install or update the appropriate drivers if required by the OS and storage management software.
• Install HPE StoreOpen LTFS components and enable HPE TapeAssure monitoring if desired. Confirm that the system detects the drive and that media can be mounted and accessed.
• Load a fresh LTO-7 cartridge and run a quick test backup or data copy to verify performance, data integrity, and encryption functionality. Establish a regular backup policy to take full advantage of the drive’s capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: What is the capacity of an LTO-7 Ultrium cartridge? A: An LTO-7 cartridge offers native capacity of 6 TB and up to 15 TB of compressed storage, depending on data patterns and compression ratios.
• Q: Does this drive support hardware encryption? A: Yes. The HPE StoreEver LTO-7 Ultrium 15000 Internal Tape Drive includes hardware-based AES-256 encryption to protect data at rest with minimal impact on performance.
• Q: What software is required to use LTFS with this drive? A: HPE StoreOpen LTFS is supported to provide a familiar, file-based interface for accessing tape data, enabling easier restores and interoperability with multiple platforms.
• Q: Is this drive compatible with standard LTO-7 media? A: Yes. It is designed to work with standard LTO-7 Ultrium media and integrates into the HPE StoreEver ecosystem for reliability and manageability.
• Q: How does TapeAssure help with maintenance? A: TapeAssure provides telemetry and predictive health insights for both media and drive components, enabling proactive maintenance, reducing risk of data loss, and extending the life of backup infrastructure.
• Q: What are typical use cases for the HPE StoreEver LTO-7 Ultrium 15000? A: Ideal for enterprise backups, disaster recovery, long-term archival, regulatory compliance, and remote-site data protection where high capacity, secure storage, and cost efficiency are priorities.