Thunderbolt / USB4 connectivity
Bring LTO tape to a compatible Thunderbolt or USB4 computer with the included 2-meter USB4 v2 cable. Check the host and operating-system requirements below.
MagStor
MagStor LTO-9 18TB AIR Thunderbolt / USB4 Desktop Tape Drive
- Regular price
- $ 13,799.99
- Sale price
- $ 13,799.99
- Regular price
-
$ 14,499.00
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MagStor LTO-9 18TB AIR Thunderbolt / USB4 Desktop Tape Drive
- Regular price
- $ 13,799.99
- Sale price
- $ 13,799.99
- Regular price
-
$ 14,499.00
MagStor AIR · LTO-9
AIR for your
archive workflow.
18 TB native tape storage.
Thunderbolt / USB4 connectivity.
Professional LTO-9 performance in a silver aluminum desktop enclosure. Designed for creators, production teams and data archives.
Half-height LTO-9XPNTL Solo included3-year hardware warrantyTAA Compliant
18 TBNative capacity per cartridge
300 MB/sMaximum native transfer rate
3 yearsLimited hardware warranty
Simple connection. Durable archive.
A desktop home for your tape archive.
Connect AIR to a compatible Thunderbolt or USB4 computer and bring LTO tape into your everyday workflow. Its half-height mechanism and ventilated aluminum enclosure balance desktop convenience with professional archive capability.
AIR · Built for your archive workflow
Big archive capability. A simple desktop connection.
Room to expand with SAS
The integrated 12 Gb/s Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644) expansion port supports compatible SAS devices through the same host connection. Confirm device, cabling and software compatibility.
XPNTL Solo LTFS included
One eligible AIR license includes a year of software updates and support through MagStor redemption. Software coverage is separate from the hardware warranty.
Designed for a working desktop
A half-height LTO mechanism and ventilated aluminum enclosure bring professional tape archiving to the desktop, backed by a three-year limited hardware warranty.
Before purchase & setup
System requirements
Operating system, drivers & host interface
Windows 11, macOS and Linux require a compatible Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 5, USB4 or USB4 v2 host, model-appropriate drivers and compatible tape software. Thunderbolt 3 is supported on Mac only.
Ordinary USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2 and charging-only USB-C ports are not supported host connections. A USB-C connector alone does not establish Thunderbolt or USB4 capability.
Use the included one 2-meter USB4 v2 cable. If replacing it, choose a certified cable that supports the required Thunderbolt/USB4 link.
Thunderbolt / USB4 compatibility
USB-C describes the connector shape—not the interface. Check the computer’s actual port specification.
Supported
- Thunderbolt 3 (Mac only)
- Thunderbolt 4
- Thunderbolt 5
- USB4
- USB4 v2
Not supported
- USB 2.0
- USB 3.0
- USB 3.1
- USB 3.2
- Charging-only USB-C ports
Before your first archive
Additional requirements
Fast source & staging storage
Avoid archiving directly over 1GbE. 1GbE can bottleneck tape performance. Stage network files on fast local storage, or use a faster network and source storage capable of sustaining the drive’s transfer rate.
For reliable LTO-9 streaming, plan for at least 170 MB/s of sustained source performance, rather than short burst speeds. Reaching the drive’s maximum of 300 MB/s also depends on source data, media, host and application conditions.
Fast local SSD staging, suitable RAID storage or 10GbE-or-faster network storage can help keep data flowing. Typical 1GbE throughput of about 100–120 MB/s can bottleneck the workflow. Measure your source during sustained jobs and stage data locally when necessary.
Slow or fragmented source storage can interrupt streaming and cause repeated tape starts and stops. Measure sustained read performance over the full job, then use suitable local staging where needed.
Operating humidity & environment
20%–50% relative humidity is the practical operating target from the existing AIR guidance. Avoid condensation at all times.
Use a clean, climate-controlled room with stable temperature, clear ventilation and horizontal drive placement. Avoid rapid environmental changes, dust and blocked airflow. Follow the operating and storage specifications supplied with the drive and cartridges.
Backup, archive or LTFS software required
Install model-appropriate drivers and compatible software to write, verify, restore and manage tapes. Confirm the full operating-system, host, driver and application combination before installation.
XPNTL Solo LTFS is included through MagStor redemption; other applications require their own compatible licensing and setup.
Offline by design
Keep an archive you can take offline.
LTO uses removable cartridges for long-term backup and archive copies. After writing and verifying your data, eject the cartridge and store it separately from connected systems. This physical separation supports air-gapped retention, offsite rotation and protection from threats that reach online storage.
Own your archive media
Keep physical control of retained data without recurring cloud capacity charges for those tape copies.
Long-term retention
Media is designed for a shelf life of up to 30 years under recommended storage conditions. Follow the cartridge’s handling and storage guidance.
TAA Compliant
For procurement that requires TAA compliance, confirm the required configuration with MagStor before ordering.
Main features
Thunderbolt / USB4 and desktop LTO.
Thunderbolt / USB4
One 2-meter USB4 v2 cable is included. USB-C describes the connector: ordinary USB 3 or charging-only USB-C ports are not sufficient.
Room for SAS workflows
The external Mini-SAS HD connection supports compatible SAS devices. Confirm the full device, cabling and host configuration before adding peripherals.
Built for a working desktop
Use the AIR enclosure horizontally with clear ventilation and stable, climate-controlled conditions. Avoid moisture and condensation.
SAS 8644 expansion
Use additional LTO drives with SAS 8644 expansion port
The integrated 12 Gb/s Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644) port supports compatible SAS device passthrough and expansion through the same Thunderbolt / USB4 host connection.
Pair AIR with a compatible MagStor SAS desktop tape drive to keep each drive in its own enclosure, with dedicated airflow and independent power. Confirm device compatibility, cables, host bandwidth and software support for the complete configuration before adding a device.
A SAS connector does not make every SAS peripheral compatible. Available throughput depends on the shared host connection and connected devices.
Included software
XPNTL Solo LTFS, included.
Your eligible AIR drive includes one XPNTL Solo LTFS software license with one year of software updates and support. Software coverage is separate from the three-year limited hardware warranty.
Redeem through MagStor using the included instructions. Allow up to one business day for manual processing. Hardware eligibility and prior-redemption checks apply.
Cartridges & capacity
Match the cartridge to your drive.
| Media | Native capacity / cartridge | LTO-9 AIR support |
|---|---|---|
| LTO-9 | 18 TB | Read / write |
| LTO-8 | 12 TB | Read / write |
Capacity is native per cartridge. Compressed capacity depends on the data. Use genuine LTO cartridges of a supported generation; the drive is not restricted to a single tape manufacturer.
Value media
MagStor’s Choice
Unlabeled packs suit standalone AIR workflows where you manage cartridge labels yourself. MagStor sources media from leading tape manufacturers, with professional inspection and climate-controlled handling.
- Original manufacturer shell and branding retained
- Lifetime media warranty for the original registered owner
Premium certified media
MagStor NanoPure™
Individually cleaned, inspected and certified media, supplied labeled for customers who want premium preparation and lifecycle support.
- Retains the original manufacturer shell and branding
- Lifetime media warranty for the original registered owner
NanoPure LTO-9 is pre-initialized to reduce first-use preparation time—up to 90 minutes according to the existing product guidance.
View NanoPure LTO-9 packs →Choose software for your workflow
Backup, archive and LTFS applications.
AIR requires compatible backup, archive or LTFS software to write, verify and restore data. XPNTL Solo LTFS is included through MagStor redemption. Other applications below are compatibility examples, with separate licensing unless specified.
Any backup, archive or LTFS application that supports the drive’s LTO generation and host configuration can be used, even if it is not listed here. Confirm the application version’s support for your operating system, interface, drivers and media format; software licensing and setup requirements still apply.
Backup applications
Veeam, NetBackup, Commvault, Arcserve and Retrospect.
LTFS & archive applications
XPNTL Solo, Hedge Canister, Archiware P5, YoYotta, XenData and myLTO.
These examples are not a certification list. Confirm the application’s support for your operating system, LTO generation, driver and host configuration. An application listed here may not support every OS.
Trusted across industries
Archive the work you need to keep.
From media production and enterprise backup to healthcare, government, research, surveillance, legal, and cloud infrastructure, MagStor LTO solutions are used anywhere large amounts of data require secure, removable, offline-capable storage.
Plan the software, verification, media rotation and access procedures around your own retention requirements.
Media & Entertainment
- Video production
- Broadcast
- Animation & VFX
- Photography
- Audio production
- Digital asset management
- Project handoff
- Long-term content retention
Enterprise IT
- Backup
- Disaster recovery
- Air-gapped ransomware protection
- Offsite rotation
- Data migration
- Compliance retention
- Long-term storage
Government & Public Sector
- Federal agencies
- State & local government
- Defense contractors
- Public records
- Digital evidence
- Public safety
- TAA procurement
- Records retention
Healthcare & Life Sciences
- PACS imaging
- EMR / EHR retention
- Medical research
- Genomics
- Laboratory data
- HIPAA-sensitive data protection
- Clinical archives
Education & Research
- Universities
- Scientific research
- High-performance computing
- Climate data
- Astronomy
- Engineering datasets
- Institutional data preservation
Security & Surveillance
- CCTV retention
- Body camera footage
- Video evidence
- Smart city deployments
- Public safety
- Long-term surveillance storage
Legal & Financial
- eDiscovery
- Audit records
- Client files
- Regulatory compliance
- Financial records
- Case evidence
- Offline business continuity copies
Industrial & Manufacturing
- CAD / CAM
- Product lifecycle data
- Engineering drawings
- Machine vision
- Quality inspection
- Factory automation data
- Durable offline retention
Cloud, MSP & Data Center
- Customer backups
- Cold storage
- Multi-tenant environments
- Offsite archive
- Disaster recovery
- Long-term retention
- Service provider data protection
Technical specifications
| Model | TRB5-HL9-AIR |
| Tape technology | LTO-9 Ultrium · half-height mechanism |
| Native capacity | 18 TB per cartridge; capacity depends on cartridge generation |
| Native transfer rate | Up to 300 MB/s; depends on media, source and system configuration |
| Host connection | Thunderbolt / USB4 over USB-C; compatible host required |
| SAS expansion | One external Mini-SAS HD (SFF-8644), 12 Gb/s SAS, for compatible SAS devices |
| Media compatibility | LTO-9 and LTO-8 read/write |
| Hardware warranty | 3-year limited hardware warranty |
| Software included | One XPNTL Solo LTFS license with one year of updates and support |
| Operating systems | Windows 11 / macOS / Linux; compatible Thunderbolt/USB4 host, model-appropriate OS drivers and compatible backup, archive or LTFS software required |
| Enclosure | Silver aluminum enclosure with optimized airflow; horizontal operation only |
| Dimensions / weight | 8.5 W × 4.375 H × 12.375 D inches / 10.6 lb |
| Power | Internal 100–240 V AC, 50/60 Hz power supply |
| Shipping dimensions | 18 × 14 × 12 inches |
| Shipping weight | 12 lb |
Native figures are shown. Compressed capacity and transfer rate depend on data and are not guaranteed.
Setup & lifetime technical support
Help from LTO storage specialists.
MagStor provides lifetime troubleshooting support for MagStor hardware, including connectivity, drivers, software configuration, media, firmware and drive-error questions. This support is separate from AIR’s three-year limited hardware warranty and the included XPNTL software’s one year of updates and support.
Free pre-sales consulting can help you plan a compatible host, media and archive workflow.
Setup & support
What’s in the box?
- MagStor TRB5-HL9-AIR LTO-9 desktop tape drive
- One 2-meter USB4 v2 cable
- North American power cord: NEMA 5-15P to IEC 60320 C13
- XPNTL Solo software redemption instructions through MagStor
Will this work with my computer?
Windows 11, macOS and Linux require a compatible Thunderbolt/USB4 host, model-appropriate drivers and compatible tape software. Thunderbolt 3 is supported on Mac only. Confirm the full host and application configuration before ordering. An ordinary USB 3 or charging-only USB-C port is not sufficient.
Which cartridges can I use?
LTO-9 and LTO-8 read/write. Use appropriate cleaning media and follow the drive’s setup guidance.
How do software and hardware coverage differ?
AIR has a three-year limited hardware warranty. The included XPNTL Solo software license has one year of software updates and support. These are separate coverage terms.
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