LTO tape storage for backup and archive
LTO tape storage is the most cost-effective way to keep large volumes of data safe for years. Tape costs less per terabyte than disk or cloud, uses no power at rest, lasts up to 30 years and — because cartridges can be taken offline — gives you an air-gapped copy that ransomware can’t reach. Most organisations use LTO tape storage alongside disk and cloud as part of a 3-2-1-1 backup strategy.
LTO tape drives
Internal, external desktop and rack-mount LTO-10, LTO-9 and LTO-8 drives with SAS, Fibre Channel or Thunderbolt connectivity.
Learn more →LTO tape autoloaders
1U and 2U autoloaders with 8 to 24 slots for unattended backup in SMEs and branch offices.
Learn more →LTO tape libraries
Modular and enterprise tape libraries from 24 slots to thousands, with partitioning and capacity-on-demand.
Learn more →Choosing the right LTO tape storage
| Solution | Drives | Slots | Native capacity (LTO-10, 30 TB) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standalone tape drive | 1 | Manual loading | 30 TB per cartridge | Single servers, workstations, media & data interchange |
| 1U autoloader | 1 | 8–9 | 240–270 TB | Small businesses, branch offices |
| 2U autoloader / compact library | 1–2 | 12–24 | 360–720 TB | SMEs, departmental backup |
| Modular tape library | 2–42 | 24–600 | Up to 18 PB | Mid-sized and growing data centres |
| Enterprise tape library | Up to 100+ | 1,000–10,000+ | Many petabytes to exabyte scale | Large enterprises, HPC, media archives, cloud providers |
Capacities are slots × 30 TB native LTO-10 media. Use 40 TB LTO-10 cartridges for a third more.
How to store LTO tapes
Getting the full 30-year archive life from LTO tapes depends on how they are stored and handled:
| Condition | Temperature | Relative humidity |
|---|---|---|
| Operating | 10–45 °C | 10–80% |
| Short-term storage | 16–35 °C | 20–80% |
| Long-term archive | 16–25 °C | 20–50% |
| Transport | −23 to 49 °C | 5–80% |
Typical manufacturer figures; check your media’s data sheet. Avoid condensation and allow 24 hours to acclimatise after moving tapes.
- Store cartridges upright in their cases, away from dust, direct sunlight and magnetic fields.
- Keep at least two copies of archive data in separate locations, ideally one in a data-rated fire safe or off-site vault.
- Use turtle cases for transport and off-site rotation.
- Test-read a sample of archive tapes every two to three years, and migrate every few LTO generations.
Secure tape disposal
When tapes reach end of life, dispose of them securely. We can arrange certified data destruction for retired LTO media and help you migrate data from legacy formats first.
LTO tape storage FAQ
How should LTO tapes be stored?
For long-term archive storage keep cartridges at 16–25 °C and 20–50% relative humidity, upright in their cases, away from magnetic fields, direct sunlight and dust. Allow 24 hours to acclimatise before use after moving tapes between environments.
Is tape cheaper than disk or cloud?
For large volumes of data that are kept for months or years, yes. LTO tape has the lowest cost per terabyte of any mainstream storage medium, uses no power when idle in a slot or on a shelf, and has no cloud egress or retrieval fees.
How does tape protect against ransomware?
Tape cartridges that have been ejected from the drive — or are sitting in library slots — are offline. Malware cannot encrypt or delete what it cannot reach over the network. Combined with WORM media and AES-256 encryption, tape gives you an immutable, air-gapped copy for the 3-2-1-1 backup rule.
What is LTFS?
The Linear Tape File System (LTFS) lets an LTO-5 or later cartridge mount like a disk, with drag-and-drop file access and no proprietary backup software — ideal for media, research and data interchange.
Design your LTO tape storage
Tell us your data volume, retention and backup software — we'll recommend and quote the right drive, autoloader or library.