INTRODUCTION
Quantum is discontinuing LTO-7 Half-Height (HH) tape drives in all products, including Scalar i3, SuperLoader 3 and standalone Tape Drives. See information below for key availability dates and model numbers. This is a crucial factor for anyone who is still in need of backing up to LTO-6 tapes or restoring from LTO-5 or LTO-6 tapes.
AVAILABILITY DATES
The key availability dates for LTO-7 HH drives in the SuperLoader3 and Scalar i3:
• Last Order Date for all LTO-7 HH drive types: 31 March 2026, while supplies last
• End of Service Dates
o Scalar i3: 31 March 2031
o SuperLoader 3: five years after initial sale, no later than 31 Marc 2031
The key availability dates for LTO-7 HH Standalone Tape Drives:
• Internal, 1U Rackmount and 1U-add on drive types
o Last Order Date: 31MAR26, while supplies last.
o End of Service Availability Date: five years after initial sale, no later than 31 March 2031.
• Tabletop drive types:
o Last Order Date: 30NOV25, while supplies last.
o End of Service Availability Date: five years after initial sale, latest 30 November 2030.
IBM LTO-7 REPLACEMENT BENEFITS
LTO-8 and LTO-9 have several improvements for customers over the LTO-7 drive:
LTO-8 Media capacity is 12TB native or 30TB at 2.5:1 compression
LTO-9 Media capacity is 18TB native or 45TB at 2.5:1 compression
LTO-8 reduces the number of LTO-7 tapes needed by 2x
LTO-9 reduces the number of LTO-7 tapes needed by 3x
LTO-8 backwards read/write support for LTO-7 (L7) or LTO-7 (M8) media
LTO-9 backwards read/write support for LTO-8 (L8) media
LTO-8 and LTO-9 provide backwards compatibility to previous
generations, allowing customers to read/write older tapes.
All drive upgrades support encryption and WORM options.
ICT Harbor solutions
Contact us in case you have need of replacement or repair of any of your tape drives, we offer repair on all models of LTO, all brands, and will be happy to help you through the different options in solving your backup to tape problem.
