HPE StoreEver MSL LTO-9 Ultrium 45000 Fibre Channel Drive Upgrade Kit

Overview

The HPE R6Q74A is an LTO-9 Ultrium Fibre Channel Drive Upgrade Kit designed to enhance your existing HPE StoreEver MSL tape library by adding high-capacity and high-speed backup capabilities without replacing the entire system. This upgrade supports up to 45 TB of compressed data per cartridge and uses Fibre Channel connectivity to accelerate data transfer, making it easier to manage large datasets and reduce backup windows. It fits seamlessly into MSL3040 and MSL6480 libraries, including both base and expansion modules, allowing for a smooth installation process that minimizes downtime.

Key features

• Supports LTO-9 Ultrium cartridges with up to 45 TB of compressed storage, enabling significant data consolidation on fewer tapes
• Fibre Channel interface delivers fast data transfer speeds, helping to shorten backup and restore times for large volumes
• Compatible with HPE StoreEver MSL3040 and MSL6480 tape libraries, including expansion modules, preserving your existing infrastructure investment
• Single-drive kit designed for straightforward installation during scheduled maintenance, allowing quick return to service
• Enhances backup reliability and scalability, suitable for enterprises managing growing data archives and compliance requirements

Key specs

• Drive type: LTO-9 Ultrium tape drive
• Compressed capacity per cartridge: up to 45 TB
• Interface: Fibre Channel
• Compatible libraries: HPE StoreEver MSL3040 and MSL6480 (base and expansion modules)
• Upgrade kit configuration: single-drive

Installation and setup

The upgrade kit is designed for easy integration into existing MSL3040 or MSL6480 tape libraries. The drive fits into either base or expansion modules, and the library firmware automatically detects the new hardware, simplifying the upgrade process. Most IT teams can complete the swap during a planned maintenance window, minimizing disruption and allowing the library to resume normal operation the same day.

Ideal uses and environments

This upgrade is well suited for IT departments handling large and growing datasets, media production environments archiving high-resolution footage, and research facilities preserving critical experimental data. It provides a dependable offline storage solution with predictable cost per terabyte, helping organizations maintain compliance with data retention policies while improving backup efficiency and reducing wear on tape libraries.