In a major update for enterprise storage, Scalar i3 doubles storage capacity and now supports Ethernet-tape connectivity through the new iSCSI Bridge, a shift that makes the tape library significantly more flexible, dense, and cost-effective for mid-sized data centers.
Tape storage continues its resurgence as data volumes skyrocket, cybersecurity risks intensify, and enterprises search for economical, long-term, and energy-efficient solutions for data archiving. In one of the most significant tape-library updates in recent years, Quantum has doubled the storage capacity of its Scalar i3 system and introduced a groundbreaking iSCSI Bridge that enables Ethernet-based tape connectivity. This upgrade fundamentally enhances the tape library’s density, performance, and deployment flexibility, making it a more attractive solution for mid-sized data centers, AI data environments, cloud-scale archives, and organizations battling explosive data growth.
The newest generation of Scalar i3 now scales up to 800 usable slots within a standard 48U rack, unlocking as much as 36 petabytes (native) when equipped with LTO-9 cartridges. Alongside the capacity expansion, the addition of Ethernet connectivity through an integrated iSCSI Bridge eliminates the need for Fibre Channel cabling—bringing significant cost savings and broader usability to environments that traditionally avoided tape due to infrastructure constraints.
Together, these enhancements position the Scalar i3 as one of the most efficient, flexible, and future-ready tape library platforms in the mid-market segment.
A Major Capacity Leap: Scalar i3 Doubles Its Storage Footprint Without Expanding Physical Space
One of the biggest challenges IT teams face is balancing long-term data growth with the physical and cost limits of the data center. Every terabyte added to the archive or cold-storage tier requires more infrastructure—more racks, more cooling, more power, and often, more budget.
Quantum’s updated Scalar i3 directly addresses this challenge by doubling its maximum storage capacity to 800 usable slots within the same 48U rack footprint. When those slots are populated with modern LTO-9 tape cartridges, the system can store up to 36 PB of native data, or significantly more with data compression—potentially upwards of 90 PB depending on workloads.
This increase in density is especially valuable for:
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AI and machine-learning environments generating massive volumes of image, video, and unstructured logs
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Media and entertainment companies storing decades of archival footage
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Research institutions handling genomic datasets or scientific simulations
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Enterprises seeking offsite-like air-gapped protection for ransomware resilience
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Government and compliance-driven organizations that must retain data for years or decades
In practice, the expanded Scalar i3 allows IT teams to consolidate archives, reduce physical rack space, and manage greater data volumes without expanding their infrastructure footprint—one of the most cost-effective approaches to long-term retention available on the market today.
Introducing Ethernet-Tape Connectivity: The iSCSI Bridge Changes Everything
While tape storage is celebrated for cost-efficiency, density, and cybersecurity advantages, deployment has historically been constrained by connectivity options. Traditional tape drives rely on SAS or Fibre Channel—standards that offer performance but impose limitations:
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Distance restrictions (especially for SAS)
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Higher equipment and maintenance costs (especially for Fibre Channel)
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Additional training and specialized networking infrastructure
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Complex cabling and configuration requirements
To eliminate these barriers, Quantum partnered with ATTO Technology to develop the new Scalar iSCSI Bridge, which is now integrated directly into the Scalar i3 chassis.
How the iSCSI Bridge Works
The Bridge converts standard SAS-based tape drive signals into Ethernet, enabling the tape library to operate over widely adopted IP networks using the iSCSI protocol.
This breakthrough means data centers can now:
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Connect tape libraries using standard Ethernet/IP
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Avoid purchasing Fibre Channel switches, HBAs, and specialized cabling
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Overcome SAS distance limitations
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Reduce complexity in mixed IT environments
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Lower overall costs per drive by up to 15%, according to Quantum
Why This Matters
Ethernet is the most common network fabric in the modern data center. Its widespread adoption means that the Scalar i3 can now be deployed in more environments without requiring special hardware, dedicated teams, or expensive fabric management.
For many mid-sized organizations—particularly those prioritizing simplicity, cost reduction, or cloud-like connectivity—Ethernet tape access dramatically lowers the barrier to entry for deploying high-density archival storage.
Improved Deployment, Reduced Operational Overhead
One of the strengths of the new connectivity model is its ease of deployment. Because the iSCSI Bridge is fully integrated into the library chassis, users avoid the hassle of managing an external appliance or standalone converter. This preserves the system’s compact footprint while keeping setup straightforward.
The Ethernet-enabled architecture also brings additional operational benefits:
1. Lower Power Consumption
Tape is already the lowest-power storage medium, but eliminating Fibre Channel components reduces energy use even further.
2. Simplified Cabling
Standard Ethernet cables and switches reduce clutter, cost, and configuration complexity.
3. Streamlined Maintenance
Fewer proprietary components mean fewer points of failure and reduced specialization requirements for IT teams.
4. Improved Flexibility in Multi-Site Deployments
Longer-distance connectivity options over Ethernet help support:
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remote data centers
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distributed enterprise environments
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DR-ready offsite archives
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cloud-adjacent facilities
And all of this makes tape—not typically considered flexible—suddenly much easier to integrate into modern infrastructure.
Why This Update Matters in a Data-Heavy World
Across industries, organizations are facing unprecedented data growth. Generative AI, HD/8K media, IoT, and analytics pipelines are driving more data than traditional storage systems can economically keep up with. At the same time, cybersecurity threats demand tamper-proof, offline, air-gapped storage layers.
The Scalar i3’s enhancements hit the market at a critical moment.
1. Unmatched Density for Long-Term Archiving
The ability to pack up to 36 PB of storage into a single 48U rack offers an extremely compelling price-to-capacity ratio for deep archive workloads.
2. Leverages Existing Ethernet Infrastructure
Instead of purchasing Fibre Channel hardware, organizations can reuse:
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existing networks
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existing Ethernet switches
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existing management tools
This dramatically lowers entry costs.
3. Ideal for AI, ML, and HPC Workloads
AI pipelines generate enormous amounts of cold data. Tape is ideal for storing:
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training datasets
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log files
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intermediate models
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simulation archives
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compliance-required historical data
4. Enhances Cybersecurity Posture
Tape provides inherent ransomware protection due to:
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air-gapping
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immutability
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separation from primary infrastructure
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offline storage capability
As attacks grow more sophisticated, these attributes are essential.
5. Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
The shift to Ethernet—combined with higher density—reduces:
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hardware costs
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maintenance requirements
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energy consumption
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cooling needs
Organizations seeking a cost-stable long-term retention layer will find this particularly attractive.
Industry Response: Strong Support from Quantum and ATTO
Quantum’s leadership positioned this update as a milestone for the mid-market tape library space. The company’s Chief Product Officer highlighted the strategic timing of the enhancement, noting that the Scalar i3 now offers “the best combination of scalability, density, flexibility, and cyber protection” in its class—especially in light of aging competitive products nearing end-of-life.
The partnership with ATTO Technology also reflects a forward-looking strategy. ATTO’s executive team emphasized the importance of making tape systems more accessible to environments that rely heavily on Ethernet, arguing that this shift broadens the relevance of tape storage and helps enterprises deploy it more efficiently and cost-effectively.
The Bigger Picture: Tape Storage Is Undergoing a Renaissance
For years, industry analysts predicted that tape would fade away. Instead, the opposite has occurred. Hyperscalers, government institutions, research centers, and media companies have reinvested heavily in tape due to its unmatched retention economics and energy efficiency.
Recent drivers include:
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Exponential growth of unstructured data
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AI workloads demanding cheap, high-capacity storage
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Ransomware trends favoring offline storage
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Sustainability initiatives pushing low-power archives
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Cloud providers adopting tape for cold-tier storage
Quantum’s update to the Scalar i3 is aligned with this market momentum. By doubling capacity and adding Ethernet connectivity, the company is not merely improving its product—it is helping modernize an entire storage category.
Conclusion: A Major Step Forward for Modern Tape Infrastructure
With its combination of expanded capacity, Ethernet-based connectivity, improved density, and reduced TCO, the enhanced Scalar i3 represents a major leap forward for organizations seeking scalable, secure, and cost-efficient long-term storage.
Whether deployed for AI data lakes, media archives, compliance-driven retention, or cybersecurity resilience, the new Scalar i3 provides a powerful and flexible infrastructure solution that meets the needs of a data-heavy future.
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