Scalar Tape Libraries
Low-cost, secure storage for long-term data archiving and cyber protection.
Low-Cost, Reliable Long-Term Data Storage for Massive Data Growth
Tape is the most cost-effective, secure storage option that requires very little power to store data for long periods and is a crucial component in the fight against cyber threats. Tape has also emerged as a key part of cloud and hyperscale infrastructures because it provides secure, long-term storage for compliance, digital media, and image archiving. As a result, the largest data centers on the planet are using tape extensively.
Scalar tape libraries now support LTO-10 full-height tape drives. LTO-10 capacity, density, and performance continue to build on the value of the LTO standard and lead the market in preserving and protecting data to address massive growth in unstructured data. Adding LTO-10 to Scalar libraries strengthens Quantum’s leadership in delivering high-density, secure, and cost-effective archival storage solutions. By combining the massive native capacity of 30 TB per LTO-10 cartridge (up to 75 TB compressed at 2.5:1) with Quantum’s advanced tape automation and intelligent management software, customers gain the highest storage density, lowest total cost of ownership, and strongest cyber protection—ideal for long-term archiving in an era where preserving every bit of data is essential to staying competitive.
Quantum Scalar Tape Libraries Make Tape Easier to Manage
Quantum Scalar® Tape Libraries start as small as three rack units and 25 slots and can scale as large as over 20 racks in size. Every module offers Capacity-on-Demand (CoD) licensing, with configurable designs to accommodate data growth.
Scalar iLayer™ proactive diagnostics software is constantly monitoring the tape library environment, including media, tape drives, and the tape library itself. Degraded conditions, including media and drive conditions, can be detected and alerted proactively to make tape easier to manage and minimize downtime.
Our tape libraries offer a cyber resilient solution that can be as small as a few tapes, scale within a rack, or can start at a full rack to grow according to your storage needs. Our automated security features enable you to efficiently store and manage your offline copies and keep them out of the reach of ransomware or other malware. The Scalar Security Framework includes exclusive features with increasing levels of security, such as Active Vault, Logical Tape Blocking, and Ransom Block.
Product Comparison
Common Features, Interfaces (iLayer, REST API and SCSI) and Encryption Key Management
| SuperLoader 3 | Scalar i3 | Scalar i6 | Scalar i6000 | Scalar i7 RAPTOR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Tapes | 8-16 | 25-800 | 50-800 | 100-14,100 | 100-2,016 |
| Capacity-on-Demand (CoD) | 8 or 16 | 25-slot increments | 25-slot increments | 100-slot increments | 100-slot increments |
| Number and Type of Tape Drives | 1 Half-Height Tape Drive | 1-24 Half-Height Tape Drives | 1-24 Full-Height Tape Drives | 1-192 Full-Height Tape Drives | 1-20 Full-Height Tape Drives |
| Import/Export | 1 I/E slot | 0-240 I/E slots | 0-240 I/E slots | 24-1,104 I/E slots | By magazine, user definable |
| SuperLoader 3 | Scalar i3 | Scalar i6 | Scalar i6000 | Scalar i7 RAPTOR |
The Benefits of a Scalar Tape Library
Lowest-Cost Long-Term Storage
LTO tape continues to provide the lowest-cost long-term storage solution, and for PB-scale data sets is a fraction of the cost of public cloud and other cold storage solutions. Scalar Tape systems further reduce total cost with space efficient designs, iLayer Proactive diagnostics and analytics, automated monitoring and reporting, and integration with cloud-based AIOps software to reduce administrative time.
Easily Manage Data Growth
A modular design that simplifies adding storage slots for capacity growth and drives for greater performance. Capacity-on-Demand (CoD) slot licensing provides a level of storage granularity to help you better manage your storage costs in a pay-as-you-grow approach with capacity scaling from 1,875 TB up to 1,057 PB based on LTO-10 compressed capacity.
Ensure Data Integrity and Security
Our Scalar Tape Libraries are the most secure tape libraries on the market, with over 25 unique features and capabilities that form a comprehensive security framework which controls system access, provides system monitoring and event detection, data security and encryption, and unique features for cyber protection and data integrity.
Minimize Downtime
A comprehensive set of high-availability features to ensure the system remains operational and accessible. Redundant power supplies and path failover (for both robotic control and data path) provide the fault tolerance needed in an enterprise system. Additionally, intelligence built into the iLayer software provides a higher level of availability as advanced features like environmental and power monitoring, proactive diagnostics, and media and tape drive reporting identify trends and notify users of potential issues before faults occur—enabling proactive control of the library system to ensure maximum uptime.
Now Supporting LTO-10 in Scalar Libraries
Unlock higher density, lower costs, and cyber-resilient long-term archiving with Quantum Scalar and LTO-10.
Customer Success
Data Center Turns to Scalar Libraries for Instant Scalability
"We are so pleased with Quantum’s performance, its value from a pricing perspective, and its capabilities and expandability that there is no reason for us to switch to anything else."
Alex Rodriguez
VP of System Engineering & Product Development
Expedient Communications
Poland’s Kredyt Bank Credits Scalar Solution for Safe Data
"It is a reliable technology – very robust. Quantum is the main pillar of our bank data security."
Piotr Rochala
Manager
Kredyt Bank
redIT Uses Scalar Tape Library for Private, Customizable Clouds
"Quantum doesn’t just provide the ability to do basic tape backup—it is the flexibility of the architecture and tools in the Scalar tape library that allow us to meet regulatory, encryption, and compliance requirements."
Matt Stamper
VP of Managed & Professional Services
redIT
Managing Access To Petabytes Of Data
"We needed a robust storage system that could scale to handle massive data sets stored on multiple types of media. We also needed a stable solution that could support 24/7 operation."
Raytheon EOSDIS Project Technical Director,
NASA
Tape Storage Resources
Featured
The Role of Tape in Hyperscale Data Centers
IDC Info Brief: Why Every Enterprise Needs a Cold Storage Strategy
Datasheets
Scalar Tape Libraries Datasheet
Scalar iSCSI Bridge
Scalar Extended Data Life Management
Scalar Key Manager
Scalar Advanced Reporting
LTO Ultrium
LTO Drives