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What level of encryption does the HP LTO-5 and LTO-4 Ultrium Tape Drive configuration offer?
A1.
LTO-5/LTO-4 uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with the longest and most secure keys, 256 bits. AES-256 is implemented within Galois Counter Mode (GCM). This is a method of increasing AES security by efficiently adding Message Authentication Codes to ensure the integrity of the backup data stored on tape. The HP LTO-5 and LTO-4 Ultrium Tape Drives are designed to be compliant with the emerging standard for tape drive security, IEEE 1619.1.
Q2.
What are the benefits of hardware based encryption at the ASIC level of the tape drive?
A2.
The main benefit is performance. At normal block lengths (say 10 KBytes and above), there will be no discernable performance loss due to encryption. This is in stark contrast to software encryption, where performance is significantly reduced. Also, LTO-5 and LTO-4 tape drives implement hardware compression before encryption. Encrypted data cannot be compression. With software encryption, compression is not done causing significant capacity loss. Alternatively, at an even greater cost to performance, compression could be done in software. It is possible to buy “black box appliances” to do hardware encryption between computer and tape drive, but these significantly add to system complexity and cost, even if they are able to match tape drive encryption speeds.
Q3.
Can I encrypt LTO-3 tapes with the HP LTO-5 and LTO-4 Ultrium Tape Drive configuration?
A3.
No, encryption is only supported in the LTO-5 and LTO-4 format. The LTO-3 format does not support encryption. This is the same for all tape drive manufacturers. However, you can write unencrypted LTO-3 tapes with the HP LTO-4 Ultrium 1840 Tape Drive configuration and read unencrypted LTO-3 tapes with the HP LTO-5 Ultrium 3280 Tape Drive.
Q4.
When are the various controllers used?
A4.
A library with LTO-5 and LTO-4 Ultrium tape drives requires one e2400-FC 4Gb interface card to control the robotics and one HP EML Internal Network Kit to manage the drives.
For all other configurations, the rules that have applied in the past, still apply. (For example, one e2400-FC 4Gb interface card for every 4 LTO-3 Ultrium 960 drives.)
Q5.
What is included in the ESL E-series Cross Link Expansion Kit?
A5.
The Kit includes the expansion track assembly, belt, screws, straps, brackets, cosmetic plate, Ethernet cables, wrench and Install Guide. HP CE installation is required.
Q6.
I have an ESL E-series tape library installed and they would like to purchase some LTO-3 Ultrium 960 tape drives and the e2400-FC 4Gb interface controller to go with it.
A6.
In this situation HP strongly recommends you purchase the installation service HA113A1#5DP “Installation-Interfaces for libraries” when selecting the ESL E-series e2400-FC 4Gb Interface Controller as an upgrade option.
Q7.
How does the HP ESL E-series Cross Link Kit (now referred simply as E-series Cross Link Kit) scale – left, right or both?
A7.
The E-series Cross Link Kit is intended to scale from left to right while facing the front of the library. Up to four additional library frames can be added to the right side (for a total of five ESL E-series frames).
Q8.
What is the purpose of the ESL Internal Network Kit?
A8.
The purpose of the ESL Internal Network Kit is to provide a private management network inside the library to connect the Interface Manager (IM) to the LTO-5 and LTO-4 Tape Drives.
Q9.
What are the ways to manage encryption keys for enterprise libraries with LTO-5 and LTO-4 tape format?
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