The lowest-cost, most durable place to keep data
An LTO tape drive is the most economical way to write large volumes of data to removable, air-gapped media. HPE StoreEver drives use the open LTO Ultrium format: a single LTO-9 cartridge holds 18 TB native (45 TB compressed) and streams at 300 MB/s, with AES-256 hardware encryption, WORM immutability and the LTFS file system built in.
This page covers the HPE StoreEver drive products and how to deploy them; for capacities, the roadmap and full read/write compatibility across every generation, see our LTO generations guide.
How much a cartridge holds
Three ways to deploy a StoreEver drive
From a single internal drive to a multi-drive automated library — the same LTO drives, scaled to the job.
Internal
A half-height drive fits a 5.25" bay inside a tower or rack server — the simplest single-server backup target, cabled to an internal SAS HBA.
External standalone
A desktop or 1U rackmount enclosure connects to a server over 12Gb SAS — share one drive across nearby servers, or move it between sites.
Inside an MSL library
The same LTO drives slot into the 1/8 G2 autoloader and MSL2024/3040/6480 libraries for lights-out, multi-cartridge automation as you scale.
Which drive uses which media
From LTO-8 onward, drives read and write just one generation back — plan media when you move generation.
Built-in data protection
WORM immutability
Write-Once-Read-Many cartridges can never be altered or erased — tamper-evident, compliance-grade archives for legal hold and regulated data.
AES-256 encryption
Hardware encryption on the drive (library- or application-managed keys) protects data at rest on the cartridge with no performance penalty.
LTFS open format
The Linear Tape File System presents a tape like a disk/USB drive — drag-and-drop files, and read them on any LTFS-capable system, no backup app required.
HPE StoreEver LTO drives — FAQs
Which HPE StoreEver LTO drive should I buy?
For new backup and archive, the LTO-9 Ultrium 45000 (18 TB native / 45 TB compressed, 300 MB/s) is the default — most capacity, fastest, and the current generation. Choose LTO-8 (Ultrium 30750) or LTO-7 (Ultrium 15000) only for continuity with an existing LTO-7/8 media library. We’ll match the drive to your media and host.
Are HPE StoreEver LTO-9 drives SAS or Fibre Channel?
The current standalone HPE StoreEver LTO-9 Ultrium 45000 ships with a 12Gb SAS interface (half-height). Fibre Channel LTO drives are supplied as drive-upgrade kits inside the MSL tape libraries rather than as standalone external units.
Can I fit a tape drive inside my server?
Yes — the half-height LTO drives fit a 5.25" internal bay in a tower or rack server, cabled to an internal SAS HBA, for simple single-server backup. Alternatively use an external desktop/rackmount drive over SAS, or put the drives in an MSL library for automation.
What does LTO-9 read and write?
An LTO-9 drive reads and writes LTO-9 and LTO-8 media only — it cannot use LTO-7 (or LTO-7 Type M). An LTO-8 drive handles LTO-7, LTO-7 Type M and LTO-8; an LTO-7 drive handles LTO-6 and LTO-7. See the compatibility matrix above and our LTO generations guide for full details and the roadmap.
What is WORM tape and why use it?
WORM (Write Once, Read Many) cartridges can be written once and never altered or deleted — the data is immutable. Combined with tape’s physical air gap, WORM media is widely used for ransomware resilience, compliance and legal hold where tamper-evidence matters.
Is the data on tape encrypted?
HPE StoreEver LTO drives support AES-256 hardware encryption performed on the drive itself, so data is encrypted at rest on the cartridge with no throughput penalty. Keys can be managed by your backup application or by the library.
Can I buy refurbished HPE LTO drives?
Yes — refurbished LTO-7/8 drives are widely available and can run up to ~80% below new, which suits continuity, spares and budget archives. For new deployments we usually recommend current LTO-9; we’ll advise where refurbished fits.
Can Servnet supply and support HPE LTO drives across the UK?
Yes — Servnet is an HPE partner. We supply LTO-9/8/7 drives (internal, external or in a library), the right SAS HBA and media, and support it UK-wide, new or refurbished. Contact sales@servnetuk.com or call 0800 987 4111.
Get the right LTO drive
Tell us your data volume, existing media and host — we’ll spec the LTO-9/8/7 drive (internal, external or in a library), the SAS HBA and media, and quote it (new or refurbished) with UK support.