HPE MSL6480

Overview

The HPE MSL6480 is a high-performance, mid-range tape automation solution designed to handle demanding data protection, backup, and long-term archival needs. It provides exceptional scalability, density, and manageability, enabling businesses to start with a compact configuration and grow non-disruptively as data volumes expand. With support for modern LTO drive technologies, path failover, and advanced tape management tools, it delivers enterprise-class reliability and efficiency while allowing you to preserve investments in existing drives.

Features

Scalability & Flexibility

• Modular, pay-as-you-grow architecture: start with an 80-slot Base Module and expand to up to 560 slots by adding up to 6 Expansion Modules (full 42U rack height).
• Support for up to 42 half-height tape drives per fully expanded library (or equivalent full-height configuration)
• Compatible with multiple LTO generations: LTO-6, LTO-7, LTO-8 (and in newer spec sheets, LTO-9)
• Path failover (control path and data path) support for enhanced reliability across drive types
• Up to 20 logical library partitions for multi-tenant or segregated usage scenarios

Manageability & Reliability

• Web-based remote management via HPE CommandView for Tape Libraries (CVTL) with advanced monitoring and diagnostics
• TapeAssure Advanced analytics for proactive health monitoring and predictive maintenance
• AES 256-bit encryption support (with the appropriate encryption kit) for secure data at rest
• Integrated operator control panel with wizards for streamlined configuration and setup
• Reuse of existing MSL2024, MSL3040, MSL4048 drives in the MSL6480 chassis to preserve prior investment

Efficiency & Footprint

• High tape drive density: 13 cartridge slots (≈ 390 TB compressed) per 1U of rack space (when fully populated)
• Lower cooling, power, and rack footprint relative to comparable tape library systems
• Support for removable magazines and barcode readers for ease of media management

Specifications