LTO (Linear Tape-Open)
An open tape format standard for high-capacity cartridges, advanced by the LTO Program for backup and archive.
Linear Tape-Open (LTO Ultrium) is a multi-vendor tape format governed by the LTO Program’s Technology Provider Companies—HPE, IBM, and Quantum—with licensed media and drive manufacturers. Each generation defines native capacity, transfer rate, and compatibility rules; products carry Ultrium verification marks after compliance testing. LTO-9 is widely cited at 18 TB native (45 TB at 2.5:1 compression) and 400 MB/s native transfer per LTO.org materials; LTO-10 specifications were introduced in 2025 with higher native capacities (program announcements list 30 TB and later 40 TB cartridge specs—verify the exact SKU matrix before quoting). Modern generations add encryption, WORM, and LTFS options. Backward read/write compatibility is generation-specific and must be checked per roadmap, not assumed.
Relations
- related
- tape, hot-warm-cold