HPE StoreEver MSL LTO-9 Ultrium 45000 SAS Drive Upgrade Kit

Overview

The HPE R6Q75A is an LTO-9 Ultrium 45000 SAS Drive Upgrade Kit designed to expand the capacity of existing HPE StoreEver MSL tape libraries without the need to replace the entire chassis. It offers 18 TB of native storage per cartridge, with up to 45 TB achievable through compression, making it suitable for handling large backup volumes or extensive project archives. The drive supports both Ultrium 9 and Ultrium 8 media, ensuring seamless transition and continued use of existing tapes while benefiting from the latest generation's increased capacity and speed.

Key features

• Supports reading and writing of Ultrium 9 media while maintaining backward compatibility with Ultrium 8 cartridges, allowing gradual migration to newer tape technology.
• Hardware-based AES-256 encryption secures data on the tape without requiring additional software, protecting sensitive information during storage.
• High sustained data transfer rate of up to 300 MBps reduces backup windows and improves overall data throughput.
• 5.25-inch front-accessible form factor enables easy installation into existing StoreEver MSL tape libraries, minimizing downtime during upgrades.
• 12 Gb/s SAS interface ensures fast and reliable connectivity with standard host adapters commonly found in data centers and enterprise environments.
• Compatibility with HPE T950 and TFinity full-height sleds provides flexibility for deployment in mixed tape library environments.

Key specs

• Native storage capacity: 18 TB per LTO-9 cartridge
• Compressed storage capacity: up to 45 TB per cartridge
• Data transfer rate: up to 300 MBps sustained
• Media compatibility: Ultrium 9 and Ultrium 8
• Encryption: AES-256 hardware encryption
• Interface: 12 Gb/s SAS
• Drive form factor: 5.25-inch front-accessible
• Compatible sleds: HPE T950 and TFinity full-height

Connectivity and compatibility

This upgrade kit integrates smoothly with existing HPE StoreEver MSL tape libraries through its 12 Gb/s SAS interface, which is widely supported by enterprise-grade host adapters. Its backward compatibility with Ultrium 8 media ensures that your current tape inventory remains usable, while the support for Ultrium 9 media allows you to take advantage of higher capacity and faster performance. The drive’s compatibility with HPE T950 and TFinity full-height sleds further extends its usability across different tape library models, making it a versatile choice for diverse IT environments.

Installation and setup

The drive’s 5.25-inch front-accessible design simplifies installation by allowing it to slide into an open bay of your existing tape library without requiring chassis replacement. This straightforward upgrade process can typically be completed within a single maintenance window, minimizing disruption to backup operations. Once installed, the drive immediately supports writing to higher capacity LTO-9 cartridges, enabling faster backups and increased storage density without additional configuration complexity.

Ideal uses and environments

This upgrade kit is well suited for data centers, branch offices, and media production facilities that need to expand their tape storage capacity efficiently. It fits environments where large volumes of data require secure, long-term archiving with fast backup and restore capabilities. Organizations managing weekly full backups or extensive project footage will benefit from the increased capacity and speed, while the hardware encryption ensures compliance with data security policies. Its compatibility and ease of installation make it a practical choice for IT teams looking to extend the life of their existing tape infrastructure.