HPE LTO-9 45TB RW Cust LBL 20 Crtg - Q2079AL

HPE Q2079AL LTO-9 45TB Read/Write Data Cartridges

The HPE Q2079AL is a 20-cartridge pack of LTO-9 Ultrium data tapes, each rated 45TB native capacity. This is designed for organizations archiving long-term surveillance footage, compliance records, and cold storage workflows where you need genuine manufacturer-backed media with predictable performance and retention guarantees.

Why This Cartridge Set

• 45TB native capacity per cartridge: A single LTO-9 tape holds 45TB uncompressed. In a 20-cartridge pack, that's 900TB total raw capacity — enough for multi-month footage retention from a mid-scale surveillance network without juggling dozens of smaller tapes. Compression (typically 2:1 for video) can push usable capacity closer to 1.8PB for the set.
• AES-256 encryption: Each cartridge supports hardware-based AES-256 encryption during write. Critical for regulated environments (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOX) where unencrypted archival tapes present audit risk. Encryption is transparent to the tape drive and host application.
• 30-year archival life: LTO-9 media is rated for 30-year lifespan in controlled storage (15–25°C, 20–80% RH). For surveillance compliance archives that must retain footage for 7–10 years by regulation, this specification guarantees you won't outgrow the media before legal hold expires.
• Custom labeled cartridges: The Q2079AL includes pre-printed custom labels on each cartridge and cases. Eliminates manual barcode/case labeling in the field and reduces indexing errors when pulling tapes from archive storage for discovery or incident investigation.
• Read/Write (RW) media type: Unlike WORM (Write-Once Read-Many) tapes, these cartridges are rewritable — meaning you can overwrite older footage once retention periods expire, reducing long-term per-cartridge costs in multi-year deployments.
• Limited Lifetime Warranty: Manufacturer warranty covers defects in media manufacture. Paired with factory-new sourcing, this eliminates grey-market or refurbished tape risk — a real concern when archiving compliance-critical footage.

Integration & Compatibility

LTO-9 cartridges work with any LTO-9 or backward-compatible LTO drive (LTO-8 drives can read LTO-9 media if the drive firmware supports it, though write speed will be limited). The Q2079AL is vendor-neutral — compatible with library automation systems from all major tape vendors (ADIC, Quantum, IBM Spectrum Protect, Commvault, etc.). Verify your tape drive is LTO-9 native or explicitly supports the generation you're loading; mismatches typically result in error or reduced performance, not damage.

What's in the Box

20 LTO-9 Ultrium 45TB Read/Write data cartridges with custom labels and 20 protective plastic cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use HPE Q2079AL cartridges in an older LTO-8 drive?

A: LTO drives support backward compatibility within a limited range. LTO-8 drives cannot write to LTO-9 media and may not read it reliably. You need an LTO-9 native drive to use the Q2079AL cartridges. Always verify your tape library generation before purchasing.

Q: Does encryption slow down backup or restore performance?

A: No. AES-256 encryption in LTO-9 is performed by hardware on the drive itself, not by the host processor. Throughput remains at native LTO-9 speeds (750MB/s typical). Encryption is transparent to the backup application.

Q: What's the actual capacity I can store on a single Q2079AL cartridge?

A: 45TB native (uncompressed). If your backup software applies 2:1 compression (common for video), you may see up to 90TB effective capacity. Actual usable capacity depends on your data type, compression ratio, and backup application settings.

Q: Can I reuse the Q2079AL cartridges after their retention period expires?

A: Yes. Because these are Read/Write media (not WORM), you can erase and rewrite them once your compliance retention window closes. This reduces per-cartridge cost in multi-year archive cycles compared to single-use WORM tapes.

Q: Is the 30-year archival life guarantee realistic for surveillance footage?

A: The 30-year specification assumes media stored in a controlled environment (15–25°C, 20–80% RH). Most data centers and secure archive facilities meet these conditions. If tapes are stored in uncontrolled environments (hot server rooms, uninsulated spaces), archival life may be shorter. Verify your archive storage climate matches the datasheet assumptions.

Q: Does the custom label come pre-printed or blank?

A: The Q2079AL includes custom pre-printed labels — you specify your organization's branding or barcode scheme when ordering. Cartridges arrive ready to load. Confirm custom label specifications with your supplier before purchase if your organization uses specific barcode or compliance labeling standards.

Eden Phillips

I've deployed the HPE Q2079AL in hybrid surveillance workflows where video retention policy mandates 90+ days of footage but compliance requires 7-year cold storage. The 45TB native capacity per cartridge (Q2079AL pack: 20 units = 900TB total) lets you archive one month of multi-camera footage per tape, then shelve it offline. AES-256 encryption means you're not transferring unencrypted footage to tape — a requirement I've seen in healthcare and financial institutions where tape leaves the data center for off-site vaults.

Technical Highlights:

• 45TB capacity per cartridge, 20-pack total: Single cartridge holds roughly 4–5 weeks of compressed 24/7 video from a mid-scale camera network (assuming ~2TB/day aggregate). Eliminates tape-swapping friction during routine archive rotations and reduces handling/labeling labor.
• AES-256 hardware encryption: Encryption happens on the tape drive during write, not on the host. Zero performance penalty — LTO-9 throughput stays at 750MB/s nominal. Compliance auditors treat encrypted tape fundamentally differently from clear-text tape, and you'll document that gap immediately.
• 30-year archival lifespan, Read/Write media: Unlike WORM tapes (single-use), the Q2079AL cartridges can be erased and rewritten. After your 7-year hold expires, you can reload and reuse the same cartridge, cutting per-cartridge amortization cost by ~70% over a 10-year cycle compared to WORM.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify your tape library is LTO-9 native before ordering. LTO-8 drives will reject or misread LTO-9 media — you can't mix generations in a single automation system without firmware updates (often requiring vendor engagement). Get written confirmation from your library vendor that LTO-9 is supported.
• The 30-year specification assumes controlled climate (15–25°C, 20–80% RH). If you're archiving to an uninsulated offsite vault or shared colocation facility, confirm the storage SLA includes humidity and temperature monitoring. Tapes stored in hot/humid conditions (server room closets, uncontrolled basements) may fail before 30 years.

The Q2079AL is the right pick for enterprises where compliance retention exceeds live-system storage economics — finance, healthcare, and government deployments with multi-year evidence hold. Budget the tape library cost separately; the cartridge itself is the per-archive consumable, not the driver of overall TCO.