Q40 Mid-Enterprise Library
Modular archive automation for multi-petabyte growth.
Q40 is designed for teams moving into larger retention pools and tighter ingest windows with a scale-out module strategy.
Q40 highlights
- 40 to 640 cartridge slots with expansion modules.
- Up to 48 tape drives for throughput scaling.
- Per-module capacity up to 1.2PB native / 3.0PB compressed.
- Supports LTO-7 through LTO-10 roadmaps.
Use-case fit before specs
Match archive outcomes to the right library class.
Cyber Recovery Vault
Add an offline recovery layer beyond network reach to support ransomware recovery planning.
Recommended: Q24, Q40, Q80
AI/HPC Cold Tier
Retain training datasets, simulation output, and reproducibility archives without keeping all data on always-on storage.
Recommended: Q40, Q80, Q1000+
Media Preservation
Preserve camera masters, mezzanine files, and restoration assets with predictable archive operations.
Recommended: Q24, Q40, Q80
Regulatory Retention
Support governance policies that require multi-year retention, auditability, and controlled access.
Recommended: Q8, Q24, Q40
Q40 specifications
Role in portfolio
Q40 bridges compact libraries and large enterprise racks with a modular expansion path for performance and capacity growth.
Plan an LTO migration >Best for
- AI/HPC Cold Tier with growing ingest windows
- Media Preservation for large project archives
- Cyber Recovery Vault for regional and central repositories
- Regulatory Retention with multi-year policy requirements
Scale path
Deploy a base module and add expansion modules as datasets and throughput requirements increase, without replacing the original platform.
Security and governance
Supports LTFS workflows, WORM-capable policy controls, and encryption-ready operations for governance-sensitive archives.
Operations
Centralized remote management and robotic automation support repeatable archive operations across expanding data programs.
Get a configuration + sizing >Scale proof
Built for growth from compact deployments to rack-scale archives.
LTO-10 media class
30TB native / up to 75TB compressed
Q1000+Powered by Orion density
44.6 PB native per 48U rack
Q series path
Q8 and Q24 through Q40, Q80, and Q1000+Powered by Orion
Expansion model
Start small, expand drive counts and slots as retention grows
Integration proof
Integrates with modern networked archive workflows.
Qualstar deployments support standards-based LTO operations with remote management, automation controls, and Ethernet-oriented integration paths for distributed environments.
- Supports LTFS, WORM-capable workflows, and encryption-ready operations.
- Remote management enables shared operations across sites.
- Bridging-based Ethernet/iSCSI integration supports placement flexibility.
Why Tape
- Lowest long-term cost per terabyte for deep archive.
- Offline media provides an air gap against ransomware.
- Media longevity suited for multi-decade retention.
LTO and LTFS
- Open LTO roadmap keeps media compatible and available.
- LTFS enables file-level access and portability.
- WORM options support compliance retention policies.
Why Qualstar
- Serviceable hardware with field-replaceable modules.
- Remote Management Interface for faster diagnostics.
- Configuration guidance for right-sized deployments.