Tape cartridge IBM LTO-10 Ultrium Black 03PL170 — LTO-10 data backup cartridge

IBM LTO-10 Ultrium Black 03PL170 is a magnetic tape cartridge engineered for high-capacity data backup, long-term archiving and secure offline storage. As an LTO-10 cartridge, it is compatible with LTO-10 drives and tape libraries and is intended for enterprise environments that require large-capacity removable media for data retention, transport and rotation. The cartridge delivers a physical medium for storing backups and archives outside primary storage systems to support data protection strategies and regulatory retention policies.

Advantages

The IBM LTO-10 Ultrium Black cartridge provides high native capacity and long archival life in a rugged, removable format. It enables reduced footprint for cold storage compared with disk-based solutions and supports offline air-gapped storage to mitigate certain cyber risks. The cartridge is compatible with automated tape libraries and stand-alone LTO-10 drives, offering predictable performance for sequential writes and large dataset transfers. Its robust casing and standardized form factor simplify handling, storage and transport.

Suitable for

• Enterprise backup and disaster recovery workflows
• Long-term archival of compliance and regulatory data
• Offsite data rotation and vaulting
• Cold storage for large unstructured datasets (tape archives)

Key specifications

• Media type: Linear Tape-Open (LTO) Ultrium magnetic tape
• Generation: LTO-10
• Form factor: Standard LTO Ultrium cartridge compatible with LTO-10 drives and libraries
• Intended use: High-capacity backup, archival and offline removable storage
• Durability: Designed for long-term archival storage and repeated load/unload cycles
• Compatibility: Works with drives and automation systems that support the LTO-10 format

How to use

Insert the IBM LTO-10 Ultrium cartridge into an LTO-10 compatible drive or automated tape library according to the drive manufacturer’s instructions. Use compatible backup software to write data to the tape, observing recommended backup and archive procedures such as verifying backups and maintaining an index of tape contents. After writing, label or log the cartridge for identification and store it in appropriate environmental conditions for magnetic media to preserve data integrity.

Usage recommendations

Store cartridges in a controlled environment away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures and strong magnetic fields. Follow manufacturer guidance for maximum shelf life, humidity ranges and handling to maintain archival reliability. For critical data, implement redundant copies across multiple cartridges and rotate offsite to support recovery objectives.