Hewlett Packard Enterprise LTO-7 Ultrium, 15 TB, Rewritable Data Cartridge, 1.27 cm

Overview of the Hewlett Packard Enterprise LTO‑7 Ultrium 15 TB Rewritable Data Cartridge

The Hewlett Packard Enterprise LTO‑7 Ultrium is a high‑capacity, rewritable magnetic tape cartridge designed for enterprise data protection and long‑term archival. It delivers an impressive compressed capacity of 15 TB (uncompressed 6 TB) while maintaining industry‑standard performance metrics such as a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbit/s and a sustained write speed of up to 700 MB/s. The cartridge’s physical dimensions—111 mm height, 27.9 mm depth, and 11.3 cm width—are engineered for compatibility with standard LTO tape drives.

Key Technical Specifications

• Media Type: Barium Ferrite magnetic tape
• Tape Length: 960 m (12.65 mm width)
Tracks: 3,584
• Compression Ratio: 2.5:1 (uncompressed 6 TB → compressed 15 TB)
• Maximum Data Transfer Rate: 480 Mbit/s (60 MB/s) for read; up to 700 MB/s write
• Connector Type: Micro‑USB B male, 1.8 m cable length, black color
• Weight: 270 g (0.3 kg)
• Storage Life: Up to 30 years under proper conditions
• Operating Temperature Range: –20 °C to +70 °C
• Humidity for Storage: 20–60 %
• Humidity for Operation: 10–80 %
• Color: Slate Blue (Blue)

Design and Build Quality

The cartridge’s Ultrium 7 design incorporates a robust aluminum housing that protects the magnetic tape from physical damage during handling, transport, and storage. The internal tape is wrapped in a protective sleeve to prevent dust ingress and mechanical abrasion. The cartridge’s dimensions are optimized for high-density tape libraries, allowing efficient stacking and retrieval by automated systems.

Performance Characteristics

The LTO‑7 Ultrium delivers high throughput thanks to its 3,584 tracks and advanced servo control. The cartridge supports a maximum read speed of 480 Mbit/s, which translates to approximately 60 MB/s when accounting for protocol overhead. Write speeds can reach up to 700 MB/s on compatible drives, enabling rapid backup and restore operations even for large data sets.

Compression and Capacity

The cartridge’s 2.5:1 compression capability allows users to store up to 15 TB of compressed data on a single tape. This is particularly valuable for organizations that require high-density archival solutions without sacrificing retrieval speed. The uncompressed capacity remains at 6 TB, ensuring compatibility with legacy systems and workflows that do not utilize compression.

Reliability and Longevity

The use of barium ferrite magnetic material provides superior resistance to demagnetization and environmental degradation. Combined with the cartridge’s engineered storage life of up to 30 years, it is ideal for long‑term data preservation, regulatory compliance, and disaster recovery scenarios.

Compatibility and Ecosystem Integration

The LTO‑7 Ultrium is fully compatible with all HP Enterprise LTO‑7 drives and tape libraries. Its Micro‑USB B connector ensures straightforward integration into existing backup infrastructures. The cartridge’s standardized dimensions and labeling format facilitate seamless cataloging, tracking, and automated retrieval within enterprise storage systems.

Use Cases

• Enterprise Backup: High‑volume daily backups for large databases and virtual machine images.
• Long‑Term Archival: Storing regulatory records, media archives, and scientific data for decades.
• Disaster Recovery: Offsite tape libraries that provide rapid restoration of critical systems.
• Data Migration: Efficient transfer of large datasets between storage tiers or cloud environments.

Environmental Considerations

The cartridge’s design supports operation across a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels, making it suitable for deployment in diverse geographic locations. Its lightweight construction (270 g) reduces shipping costs and environmental impact compared to heavier storage media.

Conclusion

The Hewlett Packard Enterprise LTO‑7 Ultrium 15 TB Rewritable Data Cartridge represents a pinnacle of tape technology, combining high capacity, fast performance, and long-term reliability. Its robust build, advanced compression, and compatibility with enterprise storage ecosystems make it an indispensable tool for organizations seeking scalable, cost‑effective data protection solutions.