Sony

Sony LTX2500G LTO Ultrium 6 Data Cartridge - 2.5TB/6.25TB

Name: Sony LTX2500G LTO Ultrium 6 Data Cartridge - 2.5TB/6.25TB
Brand: Sony
SKU: LTX2500G LTO Ultrium 6 Data Cartridge

Enterprise-grade LTO-6 tape cartridge stores up to 6.25TB compressed for reliable long-term data archiving.

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Overview

The Sony LTX2500G LTO Ultrium 6 Data Cartridge is designed for organizations that need high-capacity, cost-effective long-term data storage. With a native capacity of 2.5TB and up to 6.25TB when hardware compression is applied, a single cartridge can hold substantial volumes of backup data, archival records, or compliance-related files. The native transfer rate of 160MB/s—rising to 400MB/s with compression—allows large backup jobs to complete within reasonable windows, making it a practical choice for nightly or weekly enterprise backup routines.

Built on the LTO-6 standard, the cartridge uses 2,775.59 feet of advanced magnetic tape media engineered for durability and data integrity over extended storage periods. It is compatible with LTO-6 tape drives and can also be read in newer LTO-7 and LTO-8 drives, providing a degree of forward compatibility as organizations upgrade their tape infrastructure. For businesses that prioritize offline, air-gapped storage as part of a broader data protection strategy, the Sony LTX2500G delivers the capacity and reliability that the LTO format is known for at a competitive per-cartridge price point.

Key Features

Sony LTX2500G LTO Ultrium 6 Data Cartridge 2.50 TB (Native) / 6.25 TB (Compressed) 2775.59 ft (LTX2500G)

Sony LTX2500G

Specifications

Native Capacity

2.5TB

Compressed Capacity

6.25TB (2.5:1 compression)

Native Transfer Rate

160MB/s

Compressed Transfer Rate

400MB/s

Tape Length

2,775.59 ft

Format

LTO Ultrium 6

Brand

Sony

Model

LTX2500G

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

2.5TB native capacity provides substantial storage on a single compact cartridge
Compressed transfer rate of up to 400MB/s allows efficient backup of large datasets
Low cost per gigabyte compared to disk-based archival storage
Tape length of 2,775 feet supports the full LTO-6 capacity specification
Designed for long-term archival reliability with decades of projected media life

👎 Cons

Requires a compatible LTO-6 or newer tape drive, which is a significant additional investment
Sequential access means retrieving specific files is much slower than with disk or SSD storage
Cannot be written to by older LTO-5 or earlier generation drives
Compressed capacity of 6.25TB is only achievable with highly compressible data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the storage capacity of the Sony LTX2500G?

The cartridge holds 2.5TB of data natively, or up to 6.25TB with 2.5:1 hardware compression enabled.

What transfer speeds can this LTO-6 cartridge achieve?

It supports native transfer rates of 160MB/s and compressed transfer rates of up to 400MB/s, depending on the drive and data compressibility.

Is this cartridge backward-compatible with older LTO drives?

LTO-6 cartridges can be read by LTO-7 and LTO-8 drives. They are designed for use in LTO-6 drives and are not writable in older LTO-5 or earlier generations.

How long can data be reliably stored on this tape?

LTO Ultrium 6 media is designed for an archival life of up to 30 years when stored under recommended environmental conditions.