Product Description
IBM 3580 Model H23 LTO-2 Ultrium Tape Drive (part number 18P7226)
The IBM 3580 Model H23 is a legacy external LTO Ultrium 2 tape drive designed for reliable data backup, archiving, and disaster recovery in small to medium business environments. This standalone unit features a SAS interface and provides solid capacity and performance for older systems requiring tape-based storage solutions.
With support for 200 GB native capacity per LTO-2 cartridge (expanding to 400 GB with 2:1 compression), the drive achieves native data transfer rates of up to 35 MB/s (up to 70 MB/s compressed), enabling efficient backup operations for growing data volumes. It maintains compatibility with earlier LTO generations for seamless media handling in mixed environments.
The H23 model offers a simple external desktop/tower form factor with easy connectivity via SAS, making it suitable for direct-attached backup in legacy IBM servers, workstations, or small servers. It includes basic operator controls and is optimized for open-system platforms requiring dependable tape storage.
The IBM 3580 Model H23 LTO-2 Ultrium Tape Drive (18P7226) is backed by a 60-day warranty, providing assurance in its quality and functionality for legacy use.
Key Features
- LTO Ultrium 2 external tape drive with SAS interface.
- Native capacity of 200 GB per cartridge (400 GB compressed at 2:1).
- Data transfer rates up to 35 MB/s native / 70 MB/s compressed.
- Backward compatibility: Reads LTO-1 media, writes/reads LTO-2.
- External desktop/tower form factor for easy installation.
- Supports sequential backup and basic archiving workflows.
- Optimized for legacy IBM servers and open-system platforms.
- Simple operator controls for standalone operation.
Specifications
| Attribute | Specification |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 18P7226 (Model H23) |
| Form Factor | External desktop/tower (standalone) |
| Drive Technology | LTO Ultrium 2 |
| Interface | SAS (3 Gb/s) |
| Cartridge Capacity (Native / Compressed) | 200 GB / 400 GB (2:1 compression) |
| Data Transfer Rate (Native / Compressed) | Up to 35 MB/s / Up to 70 MB/s (2:1 compression) |
| Buffer Size | 64 MB (typical for LTO-2) |
| Encryption | Not supported (pre-LTO encryption era) |
| Compatibility | Backward read LTO-1, read/write LTO-2 |
| Management | Operator panel |
| Warranty | 60 days |
Compatibility
The IBM 3580 Model H23 LTO-2 Ultrium Tape Drive is compatible with legacy operating systems and server platforms via SAS interface:
- Operating Systems: Older versions of Microsoft Windows Server, IBM AIX, IBM i (OS/400/i5/OS), Linux distributions of the era, and other open systems.
- Servers: IBM System i, IBM System p (Power), IBM System x, Intel-based servers with SAS HBAs, and compatible workstations.
For detailed compatibility, driver information, and supported SAS controllers, refer to historical IBM documentation or legacy System Storage Interoperation resources.
