External Tape Backup

IBM External Tape Drives & Backup Solutions

IBM external tape drives and solutions deliver proven air-gapped backup, archiving, and long-term data retention for IBM Power Systems. Data Tech stocks LTO Ultrium standalone drives (3580 series), TS2900 (3572) autoloaders, TS3100/TS3200 (3573) libraries, scalable TS4300 (3555) libraries, enterprise 3590/3592 drives, and legacy formats including 7208 (8mm), 7214, 7226, SLR, MLR, QIC, DAT, and VXA.

These standalone, autoloader, and library systems support LTFS file access (LTO-5 and later), AES-256 encryption, WORM media, and backward compatibility. They attach to IBM Power Systems running AIX, IBM i, Linux, or VIOS, as well as open systems servers. Ideal for ransomware protection, compliance, disaster recovery, and maintaining older infrastructure.

Key Features of IBM External Tape Backup

Capacity up to 40 TB native / 100 TB compressed per cartridge (LTO-10); legacy from 2 GB (QIC) to 70 GB (SLR)
Transfer rates from 80 MB/s (LTO-3) to 1GB/s (LTO-10)
Air-gapped offline protection against ransomware and cyber threats
LTFS support for drag-and-drop file access (LTO-5+)
WORM, AES-256 encryption, and media partitioning for compliance
Backward read/write compatibility across LTO generations and legacy media
Interfaces: SCSI, SAS (6/12 Gb), and Fibre Channel
Form factors: standalone half-high/full-high, autoloaders, and scalable libraries
Hot-swappable drives, barcode readers, and remote web management on library models
60-day warranty on all drives and components

Product Categories

LTO Ultrium External Drives & Autoloaders (3580 / 3581 / 3582 / 3572)

Standalone 3580 LTO-1 through LTO-9 drives (SAS or Fibre Channel) provide direct-attach backup. The TS2900 (3572) is a compact 1U autoloader with 9 slots for entry-level automated backup. Capacities reach 18 TB native / 45 TB compressed with LTO-9. Suitable for Power Systems when internal bays are limited.

Tape Libraries (3573 / 3576 / 3555 / 5544 Series)

TS3100 (3573-L2U, 2U, 24 slots) and TS3200 (3573-L4U, 4U, 48 slots) deliver entry-level to departmental library automation. 3576 models are included in the same library family. The TS4300 (3555 / 5544 series) is a modular 3U library (base L3A + expansion E3A modules) that scales to hundreds of slots and multiple drives. Supports LTO-7 through LTO-10 (and later) half-high and full-high SAS or Fibre Channel drives. Ideal for environments that need automated, scalable capacity.

Enterprise Tape Drives (3590 / 3592 Series)

High-capacity enterprise drives including 3590 (Magstar) and 3592 (TS1120–TS1160). Deliver multi-TB native capacity with high throughput for large-scale archive on Power Systems and mainframe-attached environments.

Legacy Tape Drives (7208, 7214, 7226, SLR, MLR, QIC, DAT, VXA)

Supports older infrastructure with 7208 (8mm), 7214 multi-media, 7226 enclosures, SLR (including SLR60/SLR100), MLR, QIC, DAT/DDS, and VXA. Capacities typically range from 2 GB (QIC) to 70 GB (SLR). Common in 7212-103 enclosures for half-high drives. Useful for media recovery and vintage IBM i/AIX systems.

Technical Specifications Overview

Category	Interface	Max Capacity	Transfer Rate	Form Factor	Best For
LTO Standalone (3580)	SCSI / SAS	18 TB native / 45 TB compressed (LTO-9)	Up to 400 MB/s	Half-high / full-high external	Direct-attach backup
Autoloaders (3572)	SAS	Up to 45 TB compressed (LTO-9)	Up to 400 MB/s	1U	Entry-level automated backup
Tape Libraries (3573 / 3576 / 3555 / 5544)	SCSI / SAS / FC	Up to 100 TB compressed (LTO-10)	Up to 1GB/s per drive	2U / 4U / 3U scalable	Departmental to midrange archive
Enterprise (3590 / 3592)	SCSI / FC	Multi-TB native	High throughput	Rack / external	Large-scale enterprise
Legacy (7208 / 7214 / 7226 / SLR / MLR / QIC / DAT / VXA)	SCSI	2–70 GB native	2–20 MB/s	Internal / external	Vintage maintenance & recovery

Compatibility

IBM external tape solutions work with a wide range of IBM Power Systems:

Power5 through Power11 (including 9009, 9080, 8286, 820x, 9119 series and related models)
Older iSeries / AS/400 systems (with appropriate adapters and OS levels)
Operating systems: AIX, IBM i (i5/OS), Linux, and VIOS
Interfaces: SAS, Fibre Channel, and SCSI (Ultra320 LVD or HVD)
Backup software: IBM Spectrum Protect, Veeam, Commvault, Veritas NetBackup, and legacy applications

LTO generations maintain backward compatibility (read and limited write) per LTO standards. Legacy formats support their native media plus selected prior generations. Confirm exact firmware, media, OS, and adapter requirements against IBM documentation for your specific model.

Related Categories

IBM Tape Libraries (TS2900, TS3100, TS3200, TS4300 and enterprise models)
IBM LTO Ultrium Tape Drives (standalone 3580 series)
Legacy Tape Drives

All products in this category carry a 60-day warranty. Browse the full selection of external tape drives, autoloaders, libraries, enclosures, and drive modules below.