HPE StoreEver MSL3040 Scalable Library Expansion Module

Overview

The HPE Q6Q63A is an expansion module designed to increase the capacity of your HPE StoreEver MSL3040 Tape Library by adding 40 additional cartridge slots per module. This allows you to scale your storage seamlessly as your data needs grow, supporting up to 640 slots and 28.8 petabytes of compressed storage with LTO-9 tapes. Compatible with LTO-7, LTO-8, and LTO-9 tape drives, it supports both SAS and Fibre Channel interfaces, making it adaptable to various existing data center environments.

Its 3U rack-mount form factor fits standard racks neatly, while transfer rates up to 300 MB/s ensure efficient data movement. The module also includes AES 256-bit encryption to protect your archived data, making it a strong choice for businesses requiring secure, long-term data retention with physical air gap protection against cyber threats.

Key features

• Expands tape library capacity by 40 cartridge slots per module, enabling flexible growth without replacing the entire system
• Supports LTO-7, LTO-8, and LTO-9 tape drives for broad compatibility with current tape technologies
• Works with both SAS and Fibre Channel interfaces to fit diverse storage network configurations
• Transfer speeds up to 300 MB/s help maintain high throughput for demanding backup and archiving tasks
• 3U rack-mount design integrates smoothly into standard data center racks, optimizing space usage
• AES 256-bit encryption safeguards stored data, ensuring compliance and protection against unauthorized access
• Supports up to 48 tape drives when fully expanded, providing significant parallelism for large-scale environments
• Includes rack mounting kit and network cable for straightforward installation and connectivity
• Backed by a one-year warranty covering parts, labor, and onsite support to minimize downtime

Key specs

• Cartridge slots per module: 40
• Maximum slots in full library: 640
• Supported tape drives: LTO-7, LTO-8, LTO-9
• Interfaces: SAS and Fibre Channel
• Maximum transfer rate: 300 MB/s
• Form factor: 3U rack-mount
• Encryption: AES 256-bit
• Maximum tape drives supported: 48
• Warranty: 1 year parts, labor, and onsite support

Connectivity and compatibility

This expansion module is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing HPE StoreEver MSL3040 Tape Libraries and supports multiple tape drive generations, including LTO-7, LTO-8, and LTO-9. Its compatibility with both SAS and Fibre Channel interfaces allows it to connect to a wide range of storage area networks, making it adaptable to various IT infrastructures.

• SAS interface for high-speed direct connections
• Fibre Channel interface for enterprise SAN environments
• Compatible with multiple LTO tape drive generations to protect your investment

Installation and setup

The module’s 3U rack-mount form factor is designed for easy integration into standard data center racks. It comes with a rack mounting kit and network cable, simplifying the installation process. This allows IT teams to expand storage capacity quickly without disrupting existing operations or requiring extensive reconfiguration.

Ideal uses and environments

This expansion module is well suited to businesses and organizations that require scalable, secure, and reliable tape storage for long-term data archiving. It fits environments where maintaining a physical air gap is important for cybersecurity, such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies. The ability to support up to 48 tape drives and high transfer rates makes it a strong choice for data centers handling large backup workloads or compliance-driven retention policies.