Enterprise-class tape library specifications
The following product snapshots highlight key specifications for a cross-section of enterprise-class tape library systems with a minimum of 100 TB of compressed capacity, SAN connectivity, and room for at least 100 tape cartridges in a base configuration.
A tape library can be purchased to fit a wide range of budgets and storage requirements, and many models are expandable to support thousands of tape cartridges with transfer rates exceeding 25 TB/h. The following product snapshots highlight key specifications for a cross-section of enterprise-class tape library systems with a minimum of 100 TB of compressed capacity, SAN connectivity, and room for at least 100 tape cartridges in a base configuration. The following products were selected based on input from industry analysts and SearchStorage.com editors, and specifications are current as of November 2007.
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These specifications are periodically updated, and vendors are welcome to submit their updates and new product specifications to sbigelow@techtarget.com.
Go to the first product snapshot, or select the desired product below:
- Hewlett-Packard; HP StorageWorks EML E-Series Tape Library Family
- Hewlett-Packard; HP StorageWorks ESL E-Series Tape Library Family
- Hewlett-Packard; HP StorageWorks MSL 2024 Series Tape Library Family
- Hewlett-Packard; HP StorageWorks MSL 4048 Series Tape Library Family
- Hewlett-Packard; HP StorageWorks MSL 6000 Series Tape Library Family
- Hewlett-Packard; HP StorageWorks MSL 8096 Series Tape Library Family
- IBM Corp.; IBM 3500 Tape Library
- Overland Storage; NEO Series 2000 Tape Library
- Overland Storage; NEO Series 4000 Tape Library
- Overland Storage; NEO Series 8000 Tape Library
- Qualstar Corp.; TLS-8000 Tape Library Family
- Qualstar Corp.; XLS Enterprise Library System
- Quantum Corp.; Scalar 50 Tape Library
- Quantum Corp.; Scalar i500 Tape Library
- Quantum Corp.; Scalar i2000 Tape Library
- SpectraLogic Corp.; T120 Tape Library
- SpectraLogic Corp.; T950 Tape Library
- Sun Microsystems Inc.; StorageTek L1400M
- Sun Microsystems Inc.; StorageTek StreamLine SL8500
Product Snapshot #1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: HP StorageWorks EML E-Series Tape Library Family (1)
Library Capacity: Up to 404 TB native (808 TB compressed 2:1)
# of Drives: 1 to 16
Tape Drives: LTO-4 Ultrium 1840; LTO-3 Ultrium 960
Tape Media: Ultrium tapes
# Tape Slots: 71 to 505
Transfer Rate: 6.9 TB/hr native (13.8 TB/hr compressed 2:1)
Connectivity: 4 Gbps FC
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: Starting at $81,797 U.S. list price
Software: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/ebs/
Detailed Specs: http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/emleseries/index.html
Vendor URL: www.hp.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #2
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: HP StorageWorks ESL E-Series Tape Library Family (1)
Library Capacity: Up to 2,836 TB native (5,673 compressed 2:1)
# of Drives: 1 to 44
Tape Drives: LTO-4 Ultrium 1840; LTO-3 Ultrium 960; SDLT 600
Tape Media: Ultrium and SDLT tapes
# Tape Slots: 322-3,546 (LTO Ultrium-based library); 286-3,138 (SDLT-based library)
Transfer Rate: 19 TB/hr native (38 TB/hr compressed 2:1)
Connectivity: 4 Gbps FC
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $120,000 U.S. list price
Software: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/ebs/
Detailed Specs: http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/esltapelibraries/index.html
Vendor URL: www.hp.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #3
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: HP StorageWorks MSL 2024 Series Tape Library Family (1)
Library Capacity: Up to 38.4 TB
# of Drives: 1 LTO-4 Ultrium 1840; 1 LTO-3 Ultrium 960; 1-2 LTO-3 Ultrium 920; 1-2 LTO-2 Ultrium 448
Tape Drives: LTO-4 Ultrium 1840; LTO-3 Ultrium 960; LTO-3 Ultrium 920; LTO-2 Ultrium 448
Tape Media: LTO-4, LTO-3, LTO-2
# Tape Slots: 24
Transfer Rate: 864GB/hr (1 LTO-4 Ultrium 1840 drive configuration)
Connectivity: Fibre Channel, SAS, SCSI
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $6,600 U.S. list price
Software: www.hp.com/go/ebs
Detailed Specs: http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/msl2024/index.html
Vendor URL: www.hp.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: HP StorageWorks MSL 4048 Series Tape Library Family (1)
Library Capacity: Up to 76.8 TB
# of Drives: 1 -2 LTO-4 Ultrium 1840; 1-2 LTO-3 Ultrium 960; 1-4 LTO-3 Ultrium 920;1-4 LTO-2 Ultrium 448
Tape Drives: LTO-4 Ultrium 1840; LTO-3 Ultrium 960; LTO-3 Ultrium 920
Tape Media: LTO-4, LTO-3, LTO-2
# Tape Slots: 48
Transfer Rate: 1.7 TB/hr (2 LTO-4 Ultrium 1840 drive configuration)
Connectivity: Fibre Channel, SAS, SCSI
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $9,099 U.S. list price
Software: www.hp.com/go/ebs
Detailed Specs: http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/msl4048/index.html
Vendor URL: www.hp.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #5
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: HP StorageWorks MSL 6000 Series Tape Library Family (1)
Library Capacity: Up to 384 TB
# of Drives: 1-16 LTO-4 Ultrium 1840 (multi-unit); 1-16 Ultrium 960 (multi-unit); 1-16 SDLT 600 (multi-unit)
Tape Drives: LTO-4 Ultrium 1840; Ultrium 960; SDLT 600
Tape Media: LTO-4, Ultrium 960, SDLT 600
# Tape Slots: 30 to 240 (Ultrium based library, multi unit); 26 to 2 28 (SDLT-based library, multi unit)
Transfer Rate: 13.8 TB/hr (16 drive, multi-unit configuration)
Connectivity: Fibre Channel, SCSI
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $12,000 U.S. list price
Software: www.hp.com/go/ebs
Detailed Specs: http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/msl6000/index.html
Vendor URL: www.hp.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #6
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: HP StorageWorks MSL 8096 Series Tape Library Family (1)
Library Capacity: Up to 153.6 TB
# of Drives: 2-4 LTO-4 Ultrium 1840; 2-4 LTO-3 Ultrium 960; 2-4 LTO-3 Ultrium 920
Tape Drives: LTO-4 Ultrium 1840; LTO-3 Ultrium 960; LTO-3 Ultrium 920
Tape Media: LTO-4, LTO-3, LTO-2
# Tape Slots: 96
Transfer Rate: 3.4TB/hr (4 LTO-4 Ultrium 1840 drive configuration)
Connectivity: Fibre Channel, SAS, SCSI
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $29,999 US list price
Software: www.hp.com/go/ebs
Detailed Specs: http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/msl8096/index.html
Vendor URL: www.hp.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #7
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: IBM 3500 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: LTO up to 5.5 PB (compressed capacity at 2:1); TS1120 up to 13.1 PB (compressed capacity at 3:1)
# of Drives: 1 to 192 drives (2)
Tape Drives: IBM TS1120, IBM 3592, IBM LTO Gen-3, Gen-2 drives
Tape Media: 3592 and LTO tapes
# Tape Slots: LTO up to 6887, TS1120 up to 6260 (2)
Transfer Rate: up to 240 MBps for LTO Gen 4; up to 260 MBps for TS1120
Connectivity: 4 Gbps FC
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: Starts at $45,000 U.S.
Software: Tivoli Storage Manager, Symantec Veritas NetBackup and Backup Exec, EMC Legato Networker,CA Brightstor, HP Openview Storage Data Protector,CommVault Galaxy, BakBone NetVault
Detailed Specs: https://www-03.ibm.com/servers/storage/tape/ts3500/index.html
Vendor URL: www.ibm.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #8
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: Overland Storage NEO Series 2000 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: 51 to 255 TB (compressed capacity)
# of Drives: 1 to 2 drives (2)
Tape Drives: LTO Ultrium Gen-4, Gen-2 and Gen-3 and SDLT drive support
Tape Media: Ultrium 2-3 and SDLT-2 tapes
# Tape Slots: 13 to 15 tape slots (depending on model) (2)
Transfer Rate: to 1.7 TB/hr (compressed rate using maximum number of drives)
Connectivity: LVD SCSI, native FC std.
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $16,615 U.S. list price
Software: Atempo - TimeNavigator; BakBone - NetVault; CA - Brightstor/ARCserve; CommVault - Galaxy; EMC/Legato - Networker; HP - OpenView/Data Protector; Tivoli - TSM; Symantec - Bakcup Exec/NetBackup; Bridgehead - HT Backup; Bull Media - Server Virtuo; SyncSort - Backup Express; Dantz - Retrospect
Detailed Specs: http://www.overlandstorage.com/PDFs/NEO2000_data.pdf
Vendor URL: www.overlandstorage.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #9
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: Overland Storage NEO Series 4000 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: 12 to 192 TB (compressed capacity)
# of Drives: 1 to 4 drives (2)
Tape Drives: LTO Ultrium, Gen-4, Gen-2 and Gen-3 and SDLT 600 and 320 drive support
Tape Media: Ultrium 2-3 and SDLT-1 and 2 tapes
# Tape Slots: 13 to 15 tape slots (depending on model) (2)
Transfer Rate: to 3.5 TB/hr (compressed rate using maximum number of drives)
Connectivity: LVD SCSI, native FC std.
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $29,920 U.S. list price
Software: Atempo - TimeNavigator; BakBone - NetVault; CA - Brightstor/ARCserve; CommVault - Galaxy; EMC/Legato - Networker; HP - OpenView/Data Protector; Tivoli - TSM; Symantec - Bakcup Exec/NetBackup; Bridgehead - HT Backup; Bull Media - Server Virtuo; SyncSort - Backup Express; Dantz - Retrospect
Detailed Specs: http://www.overlandstorage.com/PDFs/NEO4000_data.pdf
Vendor URL: www.overlandstorage.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #10
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: Overland Storage NEO Series 8000 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: 51 to 255 TB (compressed capacity)
# of Drives: 2 to 12 drives (2)
Tape Drives: LTO Ultrium Gen-2 and Gen-3 and SDLT 600 drive support
Tape Media: Ultrium 2-3 and SDLT-2 tapes
# Tape Slots: 85 to 500 tape slots (depending on model) (2)
Transfer Rate: to 3.1 TB/hr (compressed rate using maximum number of drives)
Connectivity: LVD SCSI, native FC std, or GbE (NDMP or iSCSI)
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $64,706 U.S. list price
Software: Atempo - TimeNavigator; BakBone - NetVault; CA - Brightstor/ARCserve; CommVault - Galaxy; EMC/Legato - Networker; HP - OpenView/Data Protector; Tivoli - TSM; Symantec - Bakcup Exec/NetBackup; Bridgehead - HT Backup; Bull Media - Server Virtuo; SyncSort - Backup Express; Dantz - Retrospect
Detailed Specs: http://www.overlandstorage.com/PDFs/NEO8000_data.pdf
Vendor URL: www.overlandstorage.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #11
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: Qualstar TLS-8000 Tape Library Family (1)
Library Capacity: 4.4 o 211 TB (compressed capacity)
# of Drives: 2 to 8 drives (2)
Tape Drives: LTO-2 and LTO-3 drive support
Tape Media: Ultrium tapes
# Tape Slots: 11 to 264 tape slots (depending on model) (2)
Transfer Rate: to 4.6 TB/hr (compressed rate using maximum number of drives)
Connectivity: SCSI, FC, GigE
Release date: Currently shipping; in production since 1999
Base price range: $10,000 U.S. list price (base models)
Software: www.qualstar.com/swmatrix.pdf
Detailed Specs: http://www.qualstar.com/146081.htm
Vendor URL: www.qualstar.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #12
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: Qualstar XLS Enterprise Library System (1)
Library Capacity: 100 TB to 4.8 PB (compressed capacity)
# of Drives: Up to 96 drives (2)
Tape Drives: LTO-3 drive support
Tape Media: Ultrium tapes
# Tape Slots: 295 to 6000 tape slots (depending on model) (2)
Transfer Rate: to 553 TB/hr (compressed rate using maximum number of drives)
Connectivity: SCSI and FC
Release date: Currently shipping
Base price range: $50,000 U.S. list price (base models)
Software: www.qualstar.com/swmatrix.pdf
Detailed Specs: http://www.qualstar.com/xls/
Vendor URL: www.qualstar.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #13
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: Scalar 50 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: 15.2 TB to 30.4 TB
# of Drives: 1-2 (LTO-3, LTO-4 and DLT-S4); 1-4 (LTO-3 HH) (2)
Tape Drives: LTO-3; LTO-3 HH; LTO-4 and DLT-S4
Tape Media: LTO or DLT-S
# Tape Slots: 38-76 tape slots (depending on expansion options) (2)
Transfer Rate: Up to 2 TB/hr compressed transfer rate
Connectivity: SCSI, iSCSI and Fibre Channel
Release date: Currently available (September 2007)
Base price range: Please contact your preferred VAR for pricing.
Software: https://www.quantum.com/swcompguide.aspx
Detailed Specs: https://www.quantum.com/Products/TapeLibraries/Scalar50/Index.aspx
Vendor URL: www.quantum.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #14
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: Scalar i500 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: 28.8 TB to 160.8 TB
# of Drives: 1-18 drives depending on configuration (2)
Tape Drives: LTO-3 and LTO-4 drive support
Tape Media: LTO
# Tape Slots: Up to 218 in a single system (2)
Transfer Rate: Up to 15.6 TB/hr compressed transfer rate
Connectivity: SCSI-2/SCSI-3 LVD; Storage Networked 4Gb FC interface option (Drive interface) or SCSI-2/SCSI-3 LVD; SAS; integrated FC interface option (Library Interface)
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: Please contact your preferred VAR for pricing.
Software: https://www.quantum.com/swcompguide.aspx
Detailed Specs: https://www.quantum.com/Products/TapeLibraries/Scalari500/Index.aspx
Vendor URL: www.quantum.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #15
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: Scalar i2000 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: 1,397 to 5,587 TB (compressed capacity; depending on drives)
# of Drives: 1 - 96 (LTO-3 or LTO-4 tape drives, DLT-S4 or SDLT 600 drives) depending on configuration (2)
Tape Drives: LTO-3; LTO-4; DLT-S4 and SDLT 600 drive support
Tape Media: LTO, DLT-S
# Tape Slots: 100 to 3,492 tape slots (depending on expansion options) (2)
Transfer Rate: Up to 10.4 TB/hr compressed per frame (up to 8 frames)
Connectivity: SCSI-2 LVD; Native FC interface
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: Please contact your preferred VAR for pricing.
Software: https://www.quantum.com/swcompguide.aspx
Detailed Specs: https://www.quantum.com/Products/TapeLibraries/Scalari2000/Index.aspx
Vendor URL: www.quantum.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #16
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: SpectraLogic T120 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: 48TB to 192TB (compressed capacity with LTO-4)
# of Drives: 2 to 6 drives (with LTO-4) (2)
Tape Drives: LTO Ultrium Gen 2-4 and SAIT drive support
Tape Media: Ultrium and SAIT tapes
# Tape Slots: 30-120 tape slots (depending on model) (2)
Transfer Rate: to 5.2 TB/hr (compressed rate using maximum number of drives)
Connectivity: SCSI, FC, GigE
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $22,800
Software: http://www.spectralogic.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.compatMatrix&catID=835&p=816&gp=566,9
Detailed Specs: http://www.spectralogic.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.displayContent&CatID=566&P=148
Vendor URL: www.spectralogic.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #17
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: SpectraLogic T950 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: 160 to 16 PB (compressed capacity with LTO-4)
# of Drives: 2 to 120 drives (including expansion frames with LTO-4) (2)
Tape Drives: LTO Ultrium Gen 2-4, RXT, SAIT and SDLT 600 drive support
Tape Media: LTO Ultrium, RXT, SAIT and SDLT tapes
# Tape Slots: 100 to 10,050 tape slots (depending on model) (2)
Transfer Rate: to 103.7 TB/hr (compressed rate using maximum number of drives)
Connectivity: FC, GigE
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $150,000 U.S. list price
Software: http://www.spectralogic.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.compatMatrix&catID=831&p=809&gp=449,9
Detailed Specs: http://www.spectralogic.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=products.displayContent&CatID=449&P=148
Vendor URL: www.spectralogic.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #18
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: Sun StorageTek L1400 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: 13.5 to 339 TB (single frame); 27 to 672 TB (dual frame); uncompressed capacity depending on selected drives
# of Drives: 1 to 40 drives (LTO or DLT/SDLT); 1 to 24 drives (T9840, T9940, and T10000); mixed drives supported (2)
Tape Drives: LTO, DLT/SDLT, T9840, T9940, and T10000; mixed tape drives supported
Tape Media: LTO, DLT/SDLT, T9840, T9940, and T10000; seamless support of mixed media
# Tape Slots: 200 to 1,344 tape slots (depending on model) (2)
Transfer Rate: 0.82 to 5.75 TB/h (single frame); 1.6 to 11.5 TB/h (dual frame); uncompressed rate depending on drives selected
Connectivity: SCSI and FC
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $69,000 U.S. list price (200 slot library, no tape drives or media)
Software: Local Op Panel and Remote Management included; advanced library and backup management and monitoring packages available
Detailed Specs: http://www.sun.com/storagetek/tape_storage/tape_libraries/l1400m/
Vendor URL: www.sun.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product Snapshot #19
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Product: Sun StorageTek StreamLine SL8500 Tape Library (1)
Library Capacity: 29 to 724 TB (uncompressed capacity)
# of Drives: 1 to 64 drives per SL8500 frame; up to 448 drives per system (2)
Tape Drives: T10000, T9840, T9940, LTO, and SDLT600; mixed tape drives supported
Tape Media: T10000, T9840, T9940, LTO, and SDLT; seamless support of mixed media
# Tape Slots: 1,448 to 10,000 slots per frame; up to 70,000 per system (2)
Transfer Rate: 4.4 to 27.6 TB/hr (uncompressed rate using 64 drives) depending on selected drives
Connectivity: Fibre Channel, FICON, and ESCON tape drives
Release date: Currently available
Base price range: $195,000 U.S. list price (1,448 slot library with 64 drive bays without tape drives or media)
Software: Remote Management software (StreamLine Library Console software) included; optional local touchscreen operator panel, advanced library and backup management and monitoring packages available
Detailed Specs: http://www.sun.com/storagetek/tape_storage/tape_libraries/sl8500/
Vendor URL: www.sun.comGo to beginning
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NOTES:
(1) There are various configurations of this product model. Exact specifications depend on the selected/expanded configuration.
(2) The exact number of drives/slots depends on selected options or expansion chassis.
** All prices shown are in US dollars (USD)LEGEND:
SCSI: Small Computer System Interface
FC: Fibre Channel
GigE: Gigabit Ethernet
iSCSI: Internet SCSI
TB: Terabyte
LTO: Linear Tape Open
SDLT: Super Digital Linear Tape
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