HPE LTO-10 75TB Worm Cust LBL 20 Crtg - Q2080WL

HPE Q2080WL LTO-10 WORM Tape Cartridge Set

Overview

The HPE Q2080WL is a 20-pack of LTO-10 Ultrium cartridges, each rated 75TB native capacity (no compression), designed for long-term archival and compliance-mandated data retention. This WORM (write-once, read-many) configuration locks data after the initial write pass—critical for regulated industries where data immutability is not optional. With 1.44TB/hour native performance per cartridge, a full 20-pack set handles 28.8TB of throughput per hour, making batch archival of surveillance footage, financial records, and healthcare data feasible in a single shift. The Q2080WL is sourced factory-new, genuine HPE product stock.

Key Features

• 75TB native capacity per cartridge: Eliminates the need for hundreds of smaller tapes. A single Q2080WL cartridge replaces roughly 150 LTO-5 tapes, cutting physical storage footprint and tape-library management overhead dramatically.
• WORM format enforces immutability: Once written, data cannot be erased or altered—meets SEC Rule 17a-4, HIPAA, GDPR data-retention mandates, and financial-audit requirements without relying on software locks alone.
• AES 256-bit encryption built-in: All data encrypted at the tape drive level during write, no CPU overhead on the host system. Protects archives if tape is lost or stolen in transit or storage.
• FIPS 140-2 Level 1 certified: Cryptographic module validation ensures encryption meets US federal procurement standards. Non-negotiable for government contractors and defense-adjacent supply chains.
• 1.44TB/hr native throughput per cartridge: Native speed (uncompressed) matters when you need predictable write times. Compression ratios vary by data type—surveillance footage compresses poorly, while log files compress heavily—so vendors quote native; plan for real-world 1.2–1.3TB/hr depending on content.
• 20-cartridge bulk packaging: Reduces per-unit acquisition cost and simplifies initial deployment. Pair with an LTO-10 drive (not included) for immediate use; existing LTO-9 or LTO-8 drives cannot read or write LTO-10 media.

Integration & Compatibility

The Q2080WL cartridges are LTO-10 Ultrium format and require an LTO-10 tape drive for write and read operations. LTO-10 drives support backward-compatible reading of LTO-9 and LTO-8 cartridges, but cannot write to older formats. Typical deployment: connect an external LTO-10 drive to a server running backup/archive software (Veeam, Commvault, Veritas NetBackup, or HPE StoreOnce). The WORM cartridges ship in individual cases, protecting against dust and mechanical damage during transport and shelf storage. No special climate control is required beyond standard office or data-center conditions (15–25°C is ideal; avoid prolonged exposure above 40°C).

Warranty and Support

Limited lifetime manufacturer warranty covers defects in media and cartridge mechanics. Consult the product datasheet or HPE support documentation for specific coverage terms and exclusions. As factory-new genuine product, these cartridges come with full manufacturer support.

What's in the Box

• 20x LTO-10 Ultrium 75TB WORM cartridges (custom labeled)
• 20x individual protective cartridge cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are the Q2080WL cartridges compatible with my LTO-9 drive?

A: No. LTO-10 cartridges require an LTO-10 drive for write operations. LTO-10 drives can read LTO-9 and LTO-8, but not the reverse. If you have an existing LTO-9 archive, an LTO-10 drive can read it, but you cannot write new LTO-10 data to LTO-9 hardware.

Q: Does the Q2080WL support encryption out of the box?

A: Yes. AES 256-bit encryption is built into the cartridge and drive firmware. Encryption happens at write time; no additional software is required, though your backup application can manage key distribution and rotation.

Q: What is FIPS 140-2 Level 1 certification, and does it matter for my organization?

A: FIPS 140-2 Level 1 means the cryptographic module (the encryption engine) has been independently validated by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. It is required for US federal contractors, defense suppliers, and organizations subject to compliance audits (healthcare, finance). If your organization is not government-facing or highly regulated, it is a nice-to-have but not essential.

Q: Can I write once and then read the cartridge repeatedly?

A: Yes—WORM means write-once, read-many. Once a cartridge is written (sealed), it becomes read-only. You can restore data from it as often as needed without degradation. This is the whole point: immutable compliance archive.

Q: What is the real-world write speed if my data doesn't compress?

A: Plan for 1.2–1.3TB/hr native throughput per cartridge. Compression is off for WORM media (or yields minimal gains on already-compressed data like video). Surveillance footage, encrypted files, and JPEGs compress poorly; plan for near-native speed.

Q: Do I need a library/jukebox, or can I use a standalone drive?

A: A standalone LTO-10 drive works fine for smaller archives (up to a few cartridges at a time). For batch jobs involving all 20 cartridges, a tape library with LTO-10 slots automates cartridge handling and speeds up archival cycles. Many mid-market deployments start with one or two standalone drives and scale to a library later.

Eden Phillips

The Q2080WL delivers genuine compliance-grade immutability at scale. If you're archiving surveillance footage under HIPAA, storing financial records under SEC Rule 17a-4, or managing healthcare imaging backups that must survive legal holds, the WORM format on the Q2080WL ensures that once data hits tape, no amount of ransomware, insider threat, or accidental deletion can alter it. The 75TB native capacity per cartridge means you are not drowning in physical tape management—20 cartridges is roughly 1.5 petabytes of permanent archive.

Technical Highlights:

• AES 256-bit encryption: Hardware-level encryption during write eliminates the need for external encryption appliances. Data is protected in flight and at rest without CPU overhead on your backup server.
• FIPS 140-2 Level 1: Validated cryptographic module. Mandatory for federal contractors; highly valued in healthcare, finance, and defense supply chains where auditors scrutinize every control.
• 1.44TB/hour native throughput: Per-cartridge performance means a full 20-pack archive completes in under 20 hours on a single LTO-10 drive—realistic for overnight batch jobs or weekend maintenance windows.

Deployment Considerations:

• Requires an LTO-10 drive (not included in this pack). LTO-9 or LTO-8 drives cannot write to LTO-10 media. Budget for drive acquisition if you don't already own one.
• WORM cartridges cannot be overwritten or erased once sealed—a feature, not a bug, but plan cartridge allocation carefully. Miswrites cannot be recovered by reformatting.

Deploy the Q2080WL for long-term surveillance retention in healthcare facilities, financial services data centers, or government agencies where data immutability is written into audit requirements. The combination of native 75TB capacity, AES encryption, and FIPS certification makes this the right choice when compliance risk outweighs cost sensitivity.