IBM LTO9 Ultrium 9 WORM Data Cartridge 18TB/45TB
The IBM LTO9 Ultrium 9 WORM data cartridge is engineered for organizations requiring secure, non-rewritable tape storage for long-term archival and compliance-driven environments. This write-once, read-many (WORM) cartridge delivers 18TB native capacity with up to 45TB compressed capacity, making it ideal for enterprises managing massive data retention requirements. With transfer rates of 400MB/sec native and up to 1,000MB/sec compressed, the LTO9 WORM cartridge ensures fast, reliable data protection for regulated industries including healthcare, finance, and government sectors.
Key Features
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18TB Native / 45TB Compressed Capacity — Maximum storage density for cost-effective archival
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Write-Once, Read-Many (WORM) Technology — Prevents data modification or deletion for compliance assurance
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400MB/sec Native Transfer Rate — Fast data backup and recovery operations
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1,000MB/sec Compressed Transfer Rate — Accelerated performance with compression enabled
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Ninth-Generation LTO Ultrium — Latest tape technology for enterprise-grade reliability
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Long-Term Archival Grade — 30+ year data retention lifespan for regulatory compliance
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Backward Compatible — Works with LTO8 and earlier generation tape drives
Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
IBM Storage Media |
| Part Number |
02XW569 |
| Product Type |
LTO Ultrium 9 WORM Data Cartridge |
| Native Capacity |
18TB |
| Compressed Capacity |
45TB (with 2.5:1 compression) |
| Native Transfer Rate |
400MB/sec |
| Compressed Transfer Rate |
1,000MB/sec |
| Generation |
LTO Ultrium 9 (Ninth Generation) |
| Data Protection |
Write-Once, Read-Many (WORM) |
| Data Retention |
30+ years |
| Compatibility |
LTO9 drives; backward compatible with LTO8 |
| Use Case |
Long-term archival, compliance storage, regulatory retention |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a WORM data cartridge and why do I need it?
A WORM (Write-Once, Read-Many) cartridge is a tape storage medium that allows data to be written once and read multiple times, but never modified or erased. This technology is essential for organizations subject to regulatory compliance requirements such as HIPAA, SEC Rule 17a-4, and GDPR, where data immutability is mandatory. The IBM LTO9 WORM cartridge ensures your archived data remains tamper-proof and audit-ready.
How much data can the IBM LTO9 cartridge store?
The IBM LTO9 Ultrium 9 cartridge provides 18TB of native storage capacity. With data compression enabled (typically 2.5:1 ratio), you can store up to 45TB of compressed data, significantly reducing storage infrastructure costs while maintaining fast access speeds.
Is the IBM LTO9 WORM cartridge compatible with older tape drives?
Yes, the LTO9 WORM cartridge is backward compatible with LTO8 and earlier generation tape drives, though you'll achieve optimal performance and full capacity when used with LTO9-compatible drives. This flexibility allows for gradual infrastructure upgrades without replacing your entire tape library.
What industries benefit most from LTO9 WORM tape storage?
Organizations in healthcare, financial services, government, legal, and media industries rely on LTO9 WORM cartridges for secure, compliant long-term archival. The 30+ year data retention lifespan and immutable write-once technology make it ideal for regulatory retention policies and disaster recovery strategies.
