{"product_id":"hpe-lto-9-ultrium-45tb-rw-data-cartridge","title":"HPE LTO-9 Ultrium 45TB RW Data Cartridge","description":"\u003cp\u003eHPE 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLTO-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e18TB native capacity | 45TB compressed (2.5:1 ratio)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLTO-9 format — compatible with LTO-9 drives | forward-compatible with LTO-10\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBarium Ferrite (BaFe) magnetic particle formulation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilt-in LTO-CM cartridge memory chip for library management\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e30-year archival life under recommended storage conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRewritable — not WORM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHPE Limited Lifetime Warranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eColour: Teal\/Blue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoHS compliant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLTO-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHPE LTO-9 Ultrium 45TB RW Data Cartridge (1 cartridge)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Q\u0026amp;A\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdetails open=\"\"\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Which tape drives are compatible with this cartridge?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What is the difference between 18TB native and 45TB compressed capacity?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: What does Limited Lifetime Warranty mean for this product?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: How should LTO tapes be stored for maximum archival life?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQ: Is this cartridge WORM?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eQ2079A\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedia Format\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLTO Ultrium 9 (LTO-9)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Capacity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18.0 TB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompressed Capacity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45.0 TB (2.5:1)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRead\/Write Speed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 400 MB\/s (compressed)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMagnetic Particle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBarium Ferrite (BaFe)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCartridge Memory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLTO-CM chip\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRewritable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWORM\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArchival Life\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColour\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTeal\/Blue\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHPE Limited Lifetime Warranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoHS\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompliant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDrive Generation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLTO-9 drives\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRead and Write ✓\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLTO-10 drives\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRead and Write ✓ (forward-compatible, when available)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLTO-8 and earlier\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot compatible\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n","brand":"HPE","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56749126517122,"sku":"Q2079A","price":86.65,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0842\/5707\/9599\/files\/Q2079A.jpg?v=1783160787","url":"https:\/\/flexxmemory.co.uk\/products\/hpe-lto-9-ultrium-45tb-rw-data-cartridge","provider":"Flexx International Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}