Tape Drives

• The IBM 95P8257 is an enterprise-grade LTO-5 Ultrium 5-H Internal Tape Drive (Half-High form factor) designed for reliable, high-capacity backup, archiving, and long-term data storage in IBM servers, workstations, and tape libraries.
• This tape drive functions as an internal SAS-connected device, providing cost-effective, offline storage with high durability and air-gap security (immune to ransomware and network threats) for compliance, disaster recovery, and cold storage needs.
• It is typically installed in IBM System x servers, BladeCenter chassis, or compatible tape autoloaders/libraries (e.g., IBM TS2250, TS2350, TS2900, TS3100/3200) for automated backup, long-term retention, and regulatory archiving in enterprise IT environments.
• The IBM 95P8257 delivers strong performance with 1.5 TB native capacity (up to 3 TB compressed at 2:1 ratio), 140 MB/s native transfer rate (up to 280 MB/s compressed), and support for WORM (Write Once Read Many) media for immutable data protection.
• Reliability is exceptional with LTO-5 technology featuring servo tracks for precise positioning, advanced error correction, high durability (1 million passes over tape), 30+ year shelf life, and compatibility with LTO-4/6/7/8/9 drives for forward/backward read compatibility.
• Available primarily as refurbished or used units (legacy LTO-5 format from ~2010–2012 era, End-of-Sale/End-of-Support status), refurbished drives are commonly sold tested for functionality, often pulled from decommissioned IBM servers/libraries.
• IBM originally provided multi-year warranties (now expired); refurbished market options vary by seller (typically 90 days to 1 year); the drive supports eco-friendly long-term archival (reducing data center power) and RoHS compliance.
• As an IBM-branded 95P8257 LTO-5 Ultrium 5-H Internal Tape Drive (SAS interface), it remains a proven, cost-effective solution for tape backup in legacy IBM environments.