What is an LTO tape autoloader?
A tape autoloader is a compact, rack-mounted unit with one or two LTO drives, a magazine of 8 to 24 cartridge slots, a barcode reader and a small robot that moves tapes between the slots and the drives. Your backup software controls the robot, so tapes rotate automatically. Nobody has to be on site to change a cartridge at 2am.
Autoloaders are the natural next step from a single tape drive, and ideal for smaller data centres, SMEs and branch offices.
Why use an autoloader?
- Unattended backup: weeks of backups run without anyone swapping tapes.
- Air-gapped ransomware protection: export cartridges through the mail slot and take them offsite, or keep them in slots that the backup server alone controls.
- Room for retention: 24 slots of LTO-9 gives 432TB native capacity in 2U.
- Simple to run: web-based management, removable magazines and minimal training needed.
- Compliance: automated retention and barcode tracking make audits easier.
Autoloaders we supply
We supply autoloaders from HPE, IBM, Quantum, Dell Technologies, Lenovo, Fsas Technologies and Qualstar, with LTO-8, LTO-9 or LTO-10 drives and SAS or Fibre Channel connectivity.
| Class | Height | Slots | Drives | Native capacity (LTO-9) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1U autoloader | 1U | 8–9 | 1 | 144–162 TB |
| 2U autoloader / compact library | 2U | 12–24 | 1–2 | 216–432 TB |
Exact slot counts vary by manufacturer and model. Try our Qualstar configurator for the Q8 and Q24.
What we need for a quote
- Number of drives: 1 or 2
- LTO generation: LTO-8, LTO-9 or LTO-10 (check compatibility with any tapes you already hold)
- Host interface: SAS, Fibre Channel or iSCSI
- Data volume and retention: so we can recommend the right number of slots
Many autoloaders can add slots later with a licence key, so you only pay for the capacity you need today.
Autoloader or tape library?
If you need more than two drives, more than about 24 slots, library partitioning or connection to several backup servers, look at a tape library. Modular libraries such as the Spectra Stack start not much bigger than an autoloader and grow in modules.
Trade-ups and support
Already have an autoloader? We can quote trade-ups from older LTO generations, support renewals and replacement magazines, and supply media in small or bulk quantities. For free advice or a quotation, call 01256 331614.