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Key Features
Compatibility
Product Description
HPE LTO-9 Ultrium tape media sets the benchmark for high-density removable storage. At 18TB native (45TB compressed at 2.5:1), a single HPE LTO-9 cartridge holds more data than most organisations were archiving across entire racks of drives just a decade ago. For data centres, broadcast archives, cloud-tier overflow, and compliance-driven long-term retention, LTO-9 cuts media count, handling overhead, and physical storage footprint in a way no other removable format currently matches. The cartridge uses Barium Ferrite (BaFe) magnetic particle technology — the same formulation HPE and its media partners have refined across multiple LTO generations — delivering stable, high-density recording with low error rates across a 30-year archival life.
LTO-9 carries forward the LTO standard's write compatibility guarantee: LTO-10 drives, when available, will read and write LTO-9 media. The built-in LTO-CM (Cartridge Memory) chip stores full cartridge history — load counts, write cycles, error statistics — which feeds directly into tape library management systems for predictive maintenance and media scheduling. HPE backs this product with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, reflecting the quality and durability expected from enterprise-grade tape media.
Key Features
- 18TB native capacity | 45TB compressed (2.5:1 ratio)
- LTO-9 format — compatible with LTO-9 drives | forward-compatible with LTO-10
- Barium Ferrite (BaFe) magnetic particle formulation
- Built-in LTO-CM cartridge memory chip for library management
- 30-year archival life under recommended storage conditions
- Rewritable — not WORM
- HPE Limited Lifetime Warranty
- Colour: Teal/Blue
- RoHS compliant
LTO-9 is the generation to specify for new tape infrastructure today. LTO-9 drives read and write both LTO-9 and LTO-8 media, so a transition from an existing LTO-8 library does not require replacing all existing cartridge stock at once — you can migrate gradually as capacity expands. The distinctive teal shell makes LTO-9 cartridges immediately identifiable in a mixed tape library, reducing handling errors and mis-loads.
What's in the Box
- HPE LTO-9 Ultrium 45TB RW Data Cartridge (1 cartridge)
Product Q&A
Q: Which tape drives are compatible with this cartridge?
A: The HPE LTO-9 cartridge is designed for LTO-9 tape drives. Per the LTO standard, LTO-10 drives will also read and write LTO-9 media when that generation becomes available. LTO-9 cartridges are not compatible with LTO-8 or earlier drives — backward compatibility is one direction only (newer drives read older media, not the reverse).
Q: What is the difference between 18TB native and 45TB compressed capacity?
A: Native capacity (18TB) is the raw, uncompressed data the tape stores. Compressed capacity (45TB) assumes a 2.5:1 compression ratio, which is the standard LTO benchmark figure. In practice, data that is already compressed — video files, encrypted backups, ZIP archives — will achieve little or no additional compression. Use native capacity as your planning figure for reliable capacity estimation.
Q: What does Limited Lifetime Warranty mean for this product?
A: HPE's Limited Lifetime Warranty covers manufacturing defects for the useful life of the product. This reflects the long-term durability expected from enterprise tape media. The warranty does not cover damage from improper handling, storage outside recommended conditions, or normal wear from end-of-life usage. Always refer to the HPE warranty terms for full details.
Q: How should LTO tapes be stored for maximum archival life?
A: For long-term archival (up to 30 years), HPE recommends storing cartridges at 16°C to 25°C and 20% to 50% relative humidity, away from direct sunlight and magnetic fields. For working storage, operating conditions are 10°C to 45°C at 10% to 80% non-condensing humidity. Always allow tapes to acclimatise to operating temperature before inserting them into a drive.
Q: Is this cartridge WORM?
A: No. This is a standard rewritable LTO-9 cartridge. WORM (Write Once, Read Many) variants exist within the LTO range for compliance, audit trail, and legal hold requirements but are sold as a separate product. Contact us if you need WORM media for your workflow.
Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| SKU | Q2079A |
| Media Format | LTO Ultrium 9 (LTO-9) |
| Native Capacity | 18.0 TB |
| Compressed Capacity | 45.0 TB (2.5:1) |
| Read/Write Speed | Up to 400 MB/s (compressed) |
| Magnetic Particle | Barium Ferrite (BaFe) |
| Cartridge Memory | LTO-CM chip |
| Rewritable | Yes |
| WORM | No |
| Archival Life | 30 years |
| Colour | Teal/Blue |
| Warranty | HPE Limited Lifetime Warranty |
| RoHS | Compliant |
Compatibility
| Drive Generation | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| LTO-9 drives | Read and Write ✓ |
| LTO-10 drives | Read and Write ✓ (forward-compatible, when available) |
| LTO-8 and earlier | Not compatible |
Shipping, Returns & VAT
- Free UK Shipping: Delivered in approx. 2 working days
- Express Options: Faster methods available at checkout
- Free Shipping to Ireland: For orders over £100.00
- International Delivery: Times vary by destination; shipped via FedEx or DHL
- 30-Day Returns: Return within 30 days from order date
- UK, Ireland and EU Customers: Free return label provided
- Full Return Policy: Read Here
- Full Shipping Details: Read Here
VAT & Duties Information
UK & EU Customers: The price shown on our website is the final price you pay. No additional VAT, customs duties, or import fees will be charged upon delivery.
Orders are dispatched from Northern Ireland, allowing us to serve customers across the United Kingdom and the European Union without unexpected import charges.
Non-UK and non-EU destinations: Local taxes, customs duties, and import fees may apply and are the responsibility of the recipient.
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