LTO tape drives we supply
An LTO tape drive reads and writes LTO cartridges. It is all you need for straightforward server backup, workstation archive or moving data with LTFS. We supply standalone and library drives from HPE, IBM, Quantum, Dell Technologies, Lenovo, Fsas Technologies, Spectra Logic, Tandberg and mTape, in every current generation.
Internal
5.25″ half-height drives that fit a server or workstation bay, usually connected by SAS.
External / desktop
Self-contained drives with their own power supply. Connect by SAS or Thunderbolt, which is ideal for Mac and media workstations.
Library & rackmount
Drive sleds for autoloaders and libraries, and 1U rackmount enclosures holding one or two half-height drives.
Interfaces
- SAS (6Gb/s or 12Gb/s): the standard for direct-attached drives. It needs a SAS HBA in the host server.
- Fibre Channel (8/16/32Gb): for SAN-attached drives, mostly in libraries. Some LTO-10 drives reach their fastest compressed rates only over 32Gb FC.
- Thunderbolt: external drives for macOS and Windows workstations, popular in post-production.
- iSCSI / Ethernet: available on some libraries and specialist enclosures.
Which generation of drive?
| Drive | Native / compressed | Native speed | Also reads/writes | Also reads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LTO-10 | 30 or 40 TB / 75 or 100 TB | 400 MB/s | — | — |
| LTO-9 | 18 / 45 TB | 400 MB/s | LTO-8 | — |
| LTO-8 | 12 / 30 TB | 360 MB/s | LTO-7 (incl. Type M) | — |
| LTO-7 | 6 / 15 TB | 300 MB/s | LTO-6 | LTO-5 |
| LTO-6 | 2.5 / 6.25 TB | 160 MB/s | LTO-5 | LTO-4 |
LTO drive compatibility rules
Each LTO cartridge is fixed to one generation, but drives support some older media:
- LTO-1 to LTO-7 drives read two generations back and write one generation back. For example, LTO-7 writes LTO-6 and reads LTO-5.
- LTO-8 and LTO-9 drives read and write one generation back only.
- LTO-10 drives have no backward compatibility.
- No drive can use a cartridge from a newer generation. For example, an LTO-8 drive cannot read LTO-9.
Our compatibility guide covers this in more detail.
Choosing a drive: our checklist
- How much data per backup? This decides the generation, and whether a single drive is enough or you need an autoloader.
- Backup window: divide your data by the drive’s native speed (roughly 1.44TB/hour for LTO-9 and LTO-10) to check it fits.
- Old tapes to read? Check the compatibility rules above before you choose LTO-10.
- Host connection: SAS HBA, Fibre Channel SAN or Thunderbolt workstation.
- Software: make sure your backup application supports the drive model and generation.
Keep the source fed: LTO drives run best when data arrives at close to their native speed. If it does not, the tape stops and restarts (“shoe-shining”). Backing up from disk staging or a fast network helps keep the drive streaming.
Tell us the generation, interface and host system, and we will recommend and quote the right drive.