HPE-StoreEver MSL2024

Description

The HPE StoreEver MSL2024 is an enterprise tape automation solution designed to provide reliable, scalable, and cost-effective protection for growing data environments. Its compact 2U rack-mount design combines automated cartridge handling with high-capacity LTO tape technology, making it suitable for organizations that need dependable backup and archival storage without consuming excessive rack space.

The MSL2024 can be deployed as a standalone backup library or integrated into larger enterprise storage and data-protection environments.

Automated Tape Management

The MSL2024 provides 24 cartridge slots and supports up to two tape drives, allowing backup software to automatically load, unload, and manage cartridges without requiring manual intervention.

An integrated barcode reader helps identify and manage cartridges efficiently, while removable magazines simplify loading and unloading groups of tapes.

The library also provides configurable mail-slot functionality for importing and exporting cartridges without disrupting the rest of the library.

LTO Tape Technology

The MSL2024 supports multiple generations of HPE StoreEver LTO Ultrium drives, including:

• LTO-9 Ultrium 45000
• LTO-8 Ultrium 30750
• LTO-7 Ultrium 15000
• LTO-6 Ultrium 6250

The exact LTO generation depends on the installed tape drive.

This compatibility gives organizations flexibility when selecting capacity, performance, and media requirements.

High-Capacity Data Protection

With 24 cartridge slots, the maximum published capacity is:

• 432TB native with LTO-9
• 1.08PB compressed with LTO-9
• 288TB native with LTO-8
• 720TB compressed with LTO-8
• 144TB native with LTO-7
• 360TB compressed with LTO-7

Compressed capacity is based on HPE’s 2.5:1 compression assumption and actual capacity varies according to the data being backed up.

High-Speed Backup Performance

When configured with two LTO-9 drives, the MSL2024 can achieve a maximum native transfer rate of approximately 2.16TB per hour.

The library can therefore provide high-throughput backup performance while automated tape handling allows multiple cartridges to be managed efficiently.

Fibre Channel and SAS Connectivity

The MSL2024 supports enterprise host connectivity through:

• 8Gb Fibre Channel
• 12Gb/s SAS for LTO-9
• 6Gb/s SAS for LTO-8 and earlier supported generations

The exact interface depends on the installed tape drive.

This allows the library to connect directly to backup servers and enterprise storage infrastructure.

AES-256 Encryption

The MSL2024 supports AES 256-bit encryption, helping organizations protect sensitive backup and archive data stored on tape.

Encryption is particularly valuable for:

• Financial records
• Healthcare data
• Government information
• Customer databases
• Compliance archives
• Confidential business data

WORM Media Support

The MSL2024 supports HPE Ultrium WORM (Write Once, Read Many) media.

WORM technology is useful when organizations need to retain data in an unalterable format for:

• Regulatory compliance
• Legal retention
• Financial records
• Long-term archiving
• Data governance

Remote Management

The MSL2024 includes an Ethernet-based management interface that allows administrators to remotely manage and monitor the library.

The management interface supports:

• 10/100/1000 Ethernet
• RJ-45 connectivity
• HTTPS-based management
• Library monitoring
• Configuration
• Diagnostics

HPE also provides Command View for Tape Libraries (CVTL) for centralized management and monitoring of supported tape-library environments.

TapeAssure Advanced

With supported licensing and HPE Command View for Tape Libraries, TapeAssure Advanced provides monitoring and predictive analytics for tape drives and media.

Administrators can monitor:

• Drive health
• Media health
• Utilization
• Operational performance
• Overall library condition

This can help identify potential problems before they affect backup operations.

Enterprise Reliability

The MSL2024 is designed for continuous automated backup operation.

HPE specifies:

• 2 million robot load/unload cycles
• 100,000-hour MTBF
• Approximately 45-second average cartridge swap time
• Barcode-based inventory capability

Replaceable components include the tape drive, magazines, power supply, robotic mechanism/chassis, and controller board, helping simplify service and reduce maintenance downtime.

Compact 2U Rack Design

The MSL2024 uses a 2U rack-mount form factor, making it suitable for data centers where rack space is limited.

Its approximate dimensions are:

3.4 × 18.9 × 31.7 inches (8.7 × 48 × 80.6 cm).

Ideal Applications

The HPE StoreEver MSL2024 is well suited for:

• Enterprise backup
• Data archiving
• Disaster recovery
• Long-term retention
• Offline backup
• Air-gapped data protection
• Ransomware-resilient backup strategies
• Compliance storage
• Virtualization backup
• Database backup
• Small and medium-sized enterprise environments
• Data-center backup infrastructure

Key Specifications

Configuration Note

The MSL2024 is a configurable tape library, so the exact configuration can vary considerably. HPE offers the base library with zero drives, after which LTO drives can be added. For example, HPE lists an MSL2024 configuration with an LTO-8 SAS drive and 15 LTO-8 cartridges separately.