The fourth generation of the mid-range tape drives is the first to feature native data encryption. Compared to the previous generation, it also doubles tape cartridge capacity to 800GB uncompressed, and increases throughput by 50%.
The LTO specification is created by a consortium of IBM, HP, Seagate and Quantum, Dell did not say from which of those four companies it is buying its LTO4 drives, which it says it made GA on Friday.
IBM says it is set to announce shipment of LTO4 drives this week.
