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.
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.
Add a second tape drive with SAS
Use the external SAS expansion port to add a compatible tape drive through the same Thunderbolt / USB4 host connection. Explore a matched, independently powered two-drive setup below.
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-8 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 recommended operating target. 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.
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.
Explore XPNTL SOLO for software information. Ask LTO World about hardware eligibility and instructions for claiming an included license.
Cartridges & capacity
Match the cartridge to your drive.
Media
Native capacity / cartridge
LTO-8 AIR support
LTO-8
12 TB
Read / write
LTO-7 Type M / M8
9 TB
Read / write
LTO-7
6 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
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.
TAA procurement
TAA-compliant AIR hardware.
TRB5-HL8-AIR is TAA compliant. The blue eject button is the visual cue.
Blue button (Made in Japan) TAA reference configurationBlack button (Made in China) Non-TAA comparison configuration
Stack smart. Archive more.
Two AIR drives. One host connection.
Add an AIR SAS drive to your AIR Thunderbolt setup with a simple rear-to-rear connection.
SAS AIR driveThunderbolt / USB4 AIR drive
Mix generations. Match your workflow. Pair AIR Thunderbolt / USB4 with a compatible AIR SAS drive from a different LTO generation. Each drive retains its own cartridge compatibility. Illustrative stack; LTO-9 drives shown.
1
1 · SFF-8644 SAS expansion → AIR SAS Connect this highlighted port to the rear SAS port on AIR SAS using an SFF-8644-to-SFF-8644 cable. The three USB-C-shaped ports below the fan are not the SAS connection.
Stack it. Connect it. Grow your archive.
Stack: Place the AIR SAS drive on top of AIR Thunderbolt, stable and horizontal, with all ventilation openings clear.
Connect: Run an SFF-8644-to-SFF-8644 Mini-SAS HD cable from the rear SAS expansion port on AIR Thunderbolt to the rear SAS port on AIR SAS.
Power: Connect each enclosure to its own AC power. AIR Thunderbolt connects to your compatible computer over Thunderbolt / USB4.
Two drives share the upstream host connection and source-storage performance. Confirm multi-drive software support and licensing; the included XPNTL Solo entitlement does not by itself cover an additional drive. This setup connects one AIR SAS drive to AIR Thunderbolt—not a SAS-to-SAS daisy chain. The setup manual is being revised for stacking.
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-HL8-AIR
Tape technology
LTO-8 Ultrium · half-height mechanism
Native capacity
12 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-8 and LTO-7 read/write; LTO-7 Type M (M8) 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
218 W × 113 H × 315 D mm including feet (approximately 8.58 W × 4.45 H × 12.40 D in) / 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.
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-8 and LTO-7 read/write; LTO-7 Type M (M8) 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.
AIR drive gallery
Explore the AIR drive
1. Front view2. Angled front view3. Rear connections
SALE
SALE
