One tape platform, eight slots to half a petabyte of cartridges
HPE StoreEver tape automation removes the manual cartridge-swapping from backup and archive. A robotic picker moves tapes between slots and drives, so jobs run lights-out and you keep weeks or years of restore points offline. The range spans the 1U 1/8 G2 Autoloader, the 2U MSL2024, the scalable MSL3040 and the enterprise MSL6480.
Capacity scales two ways: add slots (more cartridges) and add drives (more parallel streams). With LTO-9 at 18 TB native / 45 TB compressed per cartridge, an MSL3040 reaches 12.6 PB and an MSL6480 16.8 PB compressed — all of it air-gapped and immune to network attack.
The HPE StoreEver line-up
From a single-server autoloader to a 42-drive enterprise library — sized to your retention and backup window.
The air-gapped last line of defence
A tape automation library gives you the offline, air-gapped copy at the heart of a modern 3-2-1-1-0 backup strategy.
Why HPE StoreEver tape automation
Air-gapped by design
A cartridge in a slot — or ejected to a shelf — is physically offline. Ransomware, rogue admins and accidental deletion can’t reach it over the network: the cleanest "offline copy" in the 3-2-1-1-0 rule.
Start small, scale to PB
From an 8-slot 1/8 G2 to a 560-slot, 42-drive MSL6480. Add expansion modules to the MSL3040/6480 as your archive grows — slots and drives both scale.
Investment protection
LTO-9/8/7 drives move forward between StoreEver models — a drive from a 1/8 G2, MSL2024 or MSL6480 can be redeployed into an MSL3040, so you don’t throw away the drive when you scale.
Logical partitioning
Split a library into independent logical libraries (up to 21 partitions on the MSL3040) so several backup applications or tenants share one chassis without stepping on each other.
Encryption & WORM
AES-256 hardware encryption (library- or application-managed) and WORM media for tamper-evident, compliance-grade archives — immutable once written.
Sized & supported in the UK
We size slots, drives, interface (FC or SAS) and media to your retention and backup window, integrate with Veeam, Commvault or your backup software, and support it UK-wide.
HPE StoreEver tape libraries — FAQs
Which HPE StoreEver tape library should I choose?
For a single server or small site, the 1U 1/8 G2 Autoloader (8 slots, 1 drive) is the simplest lights-out option. The 2U MSL2024 (24 slots, up to 2 drives) suits growing SMB backup. The MSL3040 is the scalable workhorse — 40 to 280 slots and up to 21 drives in a 21U rack, and the platform actively developed for LTO-9. The MSL6480 scales furthest: 80 to 560 slots and up to 42 drives. We size the right one against your retention period and backup window.
How much data can an HPE MSL library hold?
Compressed (2.5:1) capacity scales with slots and LTO generation: the 1/8 G2 to ~240 TB and the MSL2024 to ~720 TB (LTO-8); the MSL3040 to 12.6 PB at 280 LTO-9 slots; and the MSL6480 to 16.8 PB (LTO-8) at 560 slots, with LTO-9 drive kits available for higher capacity. Native capacity is 40% of the compressed figure.
Which LTO drives do the MSL libraries take?
Half-height LTO-7, LTO-8 and (on the current platforms) LTO-9 drives, in SAS or Fibre Channel. LTO-9 delivers 18 TB native / 45 TB compressed per cartridge at up to 300 MB/s. See our LTO generations guide for capacities and the read/write compatibility matrix.
Can I expand a tape library after I buy it?
Yes — the MSL3040 grows from a 40-slot base in 40-slot modules to 280 slots (21U), and the MSL6480 from an 80-slot base to 560 slots (42U). You add drives as you add modules, up to 21 (MSL3040) or 42 (MSL6480). The 1/8 G2 and MSL2024 are fixed-size.
How does tape protect against ransomware?
A tape that isn’t in a drive is physically disconnected — there’s no network path for malware to encrypt or delete it. That air gap makes tape the strongest "1 offline copy" in the 3-2-1-1-0 backup rule, and WORM media adds immutability for compliance and legal hold.
Do MSL libraries work with Veeam and Commvault?
Yes — HPE StoreEver libraries are supported by the major backup suites including Veeam, Commvault, Veritas and others, typically as a tape pool or archive tier behind a disk/StoreOnce landing zone in a disk-to-disk-to-tape design.
Can I buy HPE StoreEver tape libraries refurbished?
Yes — earlier MSL libraries and ex-lease units are available re-certified at a fraction of new, and refurbished LTO drives can run up to ~80% below new. We’ll advise where refurbished tape fits versus current LTO-9 stock.
Can Servnet supply and configure HPE tape libraries across the UK?
Yes — Servnet is an HPE partner. We size the library (slots, drives, interface, media), integrate it with your backup software, and supply and support it UK-wide, new or refurbished. Contact sales@servnetuk.com or call 0800 987 4111.
More on backup, archive & tape
Size your HPE StoreEver library
Tell us your retention, dataset and backup window — we’ll spec slots, drives, interface and media, integrate it with your backup software, and quote it (new or refurbished) with UK support.