In an age where data is considered the most important asset that a business possesses, it is essential to choose the appropriate storage medium. Tape technology is the standard for long-term archiving and ransomware protection, although cloud storage is becoming more popular. Two names prevail in the market when trying to find the most suitable backup media: the HP LTO-7 Data Cartridge and the Dell LTO-7 Tape.
The performance of both products is unbelievable, but which is suitable for your particular infrastructure? This guide breaks down the features, advantages, and differences to enable you to make a wise choice.
The Power of LTO-7 Technology
Before comparing the brands, you should get to know the reasons why LTO-7 is popular among IT professionals. The seventh generation of Linear Tape-Open technology brought a significant jump in capacity and speed.
The HP LTO-7 Data Cartridge, as well as the Dell LTO-7 Tape, offers:
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Massive Capacity
6TB of native storage and up to 15TB when compressed.
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High Performance
Compressed data transfer speeds of 750MB/s.
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Air-Gap Security
Physical tapes may be kept offline and are not affected by the cyberattacks.
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Longevity
When kept under the appropriate conditions, data stored on these tapes is able to last up to 30 years.
Performance of the HP LTO-7 Data Cartridge
The HP LTO-7 Data cartridge is generally considered one of the most reliable data cartridges in the world. Hewlett-Packard Enterprise (HPE) has spent many decades perfecting its tape technology.
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Precision Engineering
The HPE design has a distinctive smart grabber mechanism. This eliminates the possibility of the leader link getting extended into the tape housing. It eliminates the chances of mechanical failure during the loading process, which is one of the causes of downtime in big libraries.
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Advanced Monitoring
HPE contains features of the analysis in detail. The media is used to give real-time health information if it is combined with compatible drives. This enables you to replace units before their failure, thereby having your backups available at all times.
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Versatile Compatibility
Although it is brand-agnostic, it is optimised for HPE StoreEver hardware. It is fully compatible with any IBM, Quantum, or other Maker LTO-7-compliant drive.
Reliability of the Dell LTO-7 Tape
Dell is a giant in the server and storage market. Dell LTO-7 Tape is designed with high uptime and continuity requirements that are favoured by businesses.
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Built for the PowerVault Ecosystem
If your office operates on Dell PowerVault libraries, this particular tape is the rational option. Dell comes up with the design of its media and drives. This is a ‘single-pane’ engineering, making sure that the tape fits and hardly has friction during the high-speed operations.
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Rigorous Stress Testing
Thousands of hours of testing have been done on the hardware. Dell mimics the years of operation under extreme conditions of temperature and humidity. This guarantees that even when you take a unit out of the storage ten years later, your data will still be in it.
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Simplified Management
Dell offers high-quality services to its media. This can be more conveniently used in a Dell environment by using their tapes to track warranty claims and media inventory using the built-in software tools.
Comparing HP LTO-7 Data Cartridge vs Dell LTO-7 Tape
The fundamental technical specifications are the same since the two brands are based on the LTO open-standard specifications. Nevertheless, the differences are in the ‘extras.’
| Feature | HP LTO-7 Data Cartridge | Dell LTO-7 Tape |
| Native Capacity | 6TB | 6TB |
| Compressed Capacity | 15TB | 15TB |
| Data Encryption | AES 256-bit | AES 256-bit |
| Archival Life | 30 Years | 30 Years |
| Primary Strength | Mechanical Durability | Ecosystem Integration |
Which One Should You Choose?
So, how do you choose between the HP LTO-7 Data Cartridge and the Dell LTO-7 Tape?
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Match Your Hardware
The HP media is the most synergistic with diagnosis if you possess an HPE tape library. When using Dell PowerVault, the best match is Dell media.
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Evaluate Procurement
Sometimes a particular brand can be more local. The performance is equal, and therefore, the decision can be determined by the logistics.
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Budget Considerations
Price per unit counts in large volumes. Calculate the bulk outlay of the two solutions to determine which one fits into the quarterly budget.
Conclusion
There is no apparent loser in the battle between the HP LTO-7 Data Cartridge and the Dell LTO-7 Tape. The two products offer global security, large storage capacity, and the stability required for enterprise backups.
The HPE option is the go-to for most people because of its mechanical accuracy and brand name. In the meantime, the Dell option is a giant to the already invested Dell hardware family. When you invest in the LTO-7 technology, you are guaranteeing protection of your business against loss of data for decades to come.
Willing to safeguard your business information? Select an appropriate LTO-7 tape/cartridge now and develop a reliable backup plan.