| General |
| Native storage capacity | 2,5 TB |
| Compressed storage capacity | 6,25 TB |
| Length belt/tape/tie | 885 m |
| Technology | LTO-6 |
| Function | WORM |
The IBM LTO-6 Ultrium 2.5 TB / 6.25 TB Worm is a
storage medium for use in
tape drives of the LTO-6 generation. It is designed for secure, long-term archiving of data, particularly in environments where
WORM technology (Write Once, Read Many) is required to store data in an unalterable format. This type of storage medium is commonly used in enterprises that must comply with legal data archiving requirements, for example in the financial or healthcare sectors.
Applications
This product is designed for use in
LTO-6 tape drives, which are employed in server and storage environments for data backup and archiving. The WORM function makes it especially suitable for the long-term, immutable storage of documents, image data, logs, or other information that must not be modified after creation. The high storage capacity enables the archiving of large data volumes on a single medium.
Functions and Features in Detail
The IBM LTO-6 Ultrium Cartridge offers a
native storage capacity of 2.5 TB and achieves a
maximum capacity of 6.25 TB when data is compressed. This compression is performed by integrated algorithms in the tape drive, with the actual compression ratio depending on the type of data being stored. The
tape length is 885 meters, forming the physical basis for the high storage capacity. The WORM technology ensures that no further changes can be made to the stored data after writing, thereby securing the integrity and authenticity of the data over the long term.
Technology Explained Simply
The
LTO-6 technology is based on a magnetic tape housed in a robust plastic casing. The tape is wound on reels inside the tape drive and is read and written by magnetic read/write heads. The
WORM function is implemented through a special coating and firmware logic in the tape drive, which prevents overwriting after the first write operation. This is critical for applications where data must not be alterable. The
storage capacity of 2.5 TB (native) is sufficient for most enterprise applications, while the compressed capacity of 6.25 TB provides additional storage space, especially for data with high compressibility such as text documents or emails.
The
tape length of 885 meters enables high data density and is typical for LTO-6 generation tapes. The
LTO-6 technology is part of an open standard supported by multiple manufacturers, ensuring interoperability between different devices.
Compatibility and Accessories
The IBM LTO-6 Ultrium 2.5 TB / 6.25 TB Worm is designed for
LTO-6 tape drives. It is compatible with all devices that support the LTO-6 specification. Use in older LTO generations (such as LTO-5) is not possible, as the technology and tape coating are incompatible. The WORM function also requires a tape drive that supports this feature. No specific accessories are included with the cartridge; the product is designed as a standalone storage medium.
Installation and Mounting
Installation is performed by inserting the cartridge into a compatible LTO-6 tape drive. No additional mounting or installation work is required. The device automatically recognizes the medium, and the user can access it via the software or hardware interface of the tape drive. The WORM function is activated during the first write operation and cannot be deactivated afterwards.
Operational Advantages
The use of the IBM LTO-6 Ultrium 2.5 TB / 6.25 TB Worm provides high data security through the WORM function, protecting data from unintentional or malicious manipulation. The high storage capacity reduces the number of required cartridges and simplifies the management of archived data. The LTO-6 technology is widely adopted and supported by many manufacturers, facilitating interoperability and device exchange. The tape length of 885 meters enables efficient use of the storage medium, reducing the cost per gigabyte. Use in a tape drive requires no additional components or tools, as the cartridge is inserted directly.