Blank data tape HPE C7975A

HPE LTO Ultrium cartridges are designed for reliable long-term data storage and fast restores. Covering seven capacity generations—from LTO-1 (200 GB) up to LTO-7 (15 TB)—these cartridges offer high storage density, scalable backup performance and compatibility across LTO generations. LTO-7 supports transfer speeds up to 2.5 TB/hr and features improved track count and bit density compared with LTO-6. From LTO-3, WORM versions enable tamperproof archives; from LTO-4, AES-256 encryption is available; and from LTO-5, the Linear Tape File System (LTFS) provides tape access similar to other removable media.

Advantages

HPE LTO Ultrium cartridges combine high capacity and throughput with enterprise-grade reliability and media monitoring. Design improvements—such as a simplified tape path, an improved leader-pin protection mechanism and an onboard cartridge memory chip—reduce failures, speed access and lower media wear, which is important for automated libraries. HPE qualification testing exceeds LTO logo requirements, and the cartridges are warranted for up to 30 years archival life. Multiple media options (RW, WORM, custom-labeled, non-custom-labeled, RFID from LTO-4) and open-standard compatibility provide flexibility and lower total cost of ownership.

Key specifications

• Capacity generations: LTO-1 (200 GB) to LTO-7 (15 TB)
• Typical LTO-7 transfer speed: up to 2.5 TB/hour
• LTO-6 to LTO-7 improvements: 64% more tracks (2,176 → 3,584) and 25% higher bit density
• Encryption: AES-256 available from LTO-4 (FIPS 140-2 level 1 compliant)
• WORM: available from LTO-3 for tamperproof archives
• LTFS: available from LTO-5 for file-system-like access
• Supported transfer rates example (Generation 5): 140 MB/s native, 280 MB/s compressed (2:1)
• Cartridge features: onboard memory chip (faster access, media monitoring), improved leader-pin protection, unique colored cartridges for identification
• Compatibility: for use in HP and non-HP LTO Ultrium drives
• Archival warranty: up to 30 years (per HPE warranty)

How to use

Install the cartridge in a compatible LTO Ultrium drive following the drive manufacturer’s loading procedure. For encrypted cartridges, enable drive- or library-based AES-256 encryption and manage keys according to your security policy. Use WORM cartridges when an immutable archive is required; once written, data cannot be altered. To use LTFS (from LTO-5), format the cartridge with the LTFS utility provided by the drive or library vendor so the tape presents as a file system and can be accessed like removable storage. Monitor cartridge health via the onboard memory and your tape library management software, and follow recommended storage conditions to maximize archival life.

Recommendations

Choose the LTO generation that matches your capacity and throughput requirements, standardize on HPE LTO Ultrium across your environment for cross-generation compatibility, and use encryption and WORM options to meet security and compliance needs. For automated environments, consider custom labeling or RFID options (available from LTO-4) to simplify inventory and handling.