With ever increasing regulatory pressure to comply with federal mandates for medical, legal, email, financial and government data, storage requirements are exploding. This rapid growth is straining data centers’ capacities in environmental control, power, and space. To help meet those challenges, the TS3500 tape library supports storage-only library frames offering new patented high density slot technology. These frames can significantly increase a library’s total capacity while saving valuable floor space and helping to lower power requirements. The frames contain multiple tiers of cartridge slots, yet have the same physical footprint as existing L and D frames. The new frames, which are compatible with existing TS3500 library frames, can store up to 3PBs in 10 square feet.

IBM has announced two new expansion frames for the IBM TS3500 Tape Library. Both new models are driveless, storage–only expansion frames and incorporate IBM's patented high–density (HD) slot technology, which allows multiple cartridges to be stored in a tiered architecture. Model S54 is designed to contain up to 1,320 Ultrium (LTO) tape cartridges, offering a 3:1 increase in slot capacity over the Model D53. Model S24 is designed to contain up to 1,000 3592 tape cartridges, offering a 2.5:1 increase in slot capacity over the Model D23.

• Supports scalable, automated data retention utilising high-capacity IBM System Storage™ Tape Drives
• Enhances data availability and library reliability with optional dual library accessor
• Provides data security and regulatory compliance via support for tape drive encryption and WORM cartridges