IBM LTO-10 40TB Data Cartridges Models 564 and 664

IBM Corp. is introducing a new high capacity 3589 Ultrium tape data cartridge compatible with LTO Ultrium 10 providing 40TB native capacity with the following benefits:

Highest available data density in the LTO ecosystem
Enterprise-grade media reliability for mission-critical workloads
Long-term scalability and investment protection
Broader environmental specifications for more versatile deployment
Usability between 30TB and 40TB LTO formats
Enterprise-grade High-Resolution Tape Directory for faster locate and read
Individual jewel cases or bulk packaging
Color-coding and pre-labeling with the ability to specify a starting volume serial to help save time and labor when adding new cartridges into existing inventory

Cartridge memory built into every data cartridge to help enhance functionality and media reliability by storing access history and media performance information for use by the tape drive every time the cartridge is accessed

Overview
The company is introducing a high-capacity, enhanced functionality cartridge within the LTO Ultrium format, designed to run on standard IBM LTO 10 drives and meet the demands of data-intensive environments. Key benefits of this enterprise-grade solution include: broader environmental specifications, enterprise-grade media reliability, enhanced High-Resolution Tape Directory (HRTD) providing improved search and locate performance, and the highest available capacity in the LTO ecosystem. Additionally, it provides usability between 30TB and 40TB LTO formats – ensuring long-term scalability and investment protection.

These IBM LTO 10 Ultrium 40TB data cartridges deliver flexibility in the specification and ordering of prelabeled and bulk packaged data cartridges for the IBM Linear Tape-Open (LTO) Ultrium family of products. Shipping with or without jewel cases can also be specified when prelabeled cartridges are ordered.

Ultrium tape format is the implementation of LTO technology that is designed to provide high capacity and performance with exceptional reliability in either a stand-alone or automated environment. It uses a single-reel cartridge and is ideal for large volume backup, restore, and archive applications.

New models of 3589 are available to be ordered with IBM LTO 10 Ultrium 40TB data cartridges. The LTO 10 Ultrium 40TB LTO format delivers tape cartridge capacities of up to 40TB native physical capacity (100TB with 2.5 to 1 compression). These cartridges can be used in the firm’s LTO Ultrium 10 tape drives, the 10 Gen LTO Ultrium tape drive in the company’s LTO Ultrium family of products.

An LTO ULTRIUM 10 Ultrium 5-pack plain data cartridge option is also available.

Key requirements
This product is only for use with Ultrium 10 tape drives.

Planned availability date:

6 March 2026, for machine Type 3589 models 564 and 664, and all their related features
10 April 2026, for feature #1415

Description
New 3589 IBM LTO Ultrium tape cartridge models 564 and 664 deliver tape cartridge capacity with up to 40TB native capacity, 100TB with 2.5 to 1 compression and are compliant with LTO Ultrium 10 specification.

This leap in capacity is made possible by innovations in the company’s LTO-10 drive head design and a new, highly stable thin aramid substrate, which together unlock the increased media capacity of 40TB uncompressed. Aramid substrate offers several key advantages that significantly enhance tape performance and reliability. Its thinner media enables longer tape lengths, resulting in greater cartridge capacity. In addition, physical characteristics of the Aramid substrate make it exceptionally stiff, dimensionally stable, and resistant to changes caused by temperature and humidity contributing to a wider environmental operating range, and ensuring stable performance across varying conditions. The efficient LTO Ultrium 10 cartridge shape is optimized for high volumetric density, maximizing storage within a compact form factor.

3589 Ultrium tape cartridges provide the ability to order prelabeled or bulk-packaged IBM LTO-10 Ultrium 40TB data cartridges, LTO Ultrium cleaning cartridges, and the firm’s LTO Ultrium 40TB tape cartridges.

These cartridges can be used in IBM LTO Ultrium 10 tape drives, the 10 Gen LTO Ultrium tape drive in the company’s LTO Ultrium family of products:

Model 564 – IBM LTO 10 Ultrium 40TB Data Cartridge in a 20-pack are labeled with starting volume serial information and optionally packed in individual jewel cases
Model 664 – IBM LTO 10 Ultrium 40TB Data Cartridge in a 20-pack or a 5-pack are optionally packed in individual jewel cases

Features of IBM LTO 10 Ultrium 40 TB data cartridges include:

Highest available capacity in the LTO ecosystem with 40TB native capacity in a single compact cartridge
Enterprise-grade media reliability for mission-critical workloads
Long-term scalability and investment protection
Broader environmental specifications for more versatile deployment
Enterprise-grade High-Resolution Tape Directory for faster locate and read
Cartridge memory built into every data cartridge for enhanced functionality and media reliability by storing access history and media performance information for use by the tape drive every time the cartridge is accessed
Color coding and pre-labeling with the ability to specify a starting volume serial saves time and labor when adding new cartridges into your existing inventory
Shipping without jewel cases unless otherwise specified, when prelabeled cartridges are ordered
Optional IBM LTO Ultrium 10 5-pack plain data cartridge

Note: For optimum reliability, use IBM 3589 Ultrium tape cartridges that conform to IBM specifications.

The company’s tape media remarketers provide LTO barcode label services. Barcode labels can be requested when placing an order. For guidance with labeling services, request an IBM LTO Ultrium VOLSER Label Order Guide from any IBM Remarketer or IBM tape media reseller.

Resource:
Additional product information and deliverables