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Cleaning cartridge keeps drives operating smoothly.
C7978A
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1PK LTO ULTRIUM UNIVERSAL CLEANING CARTRIDGE PL-7A
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Name:
C7978A
- Description:
- 1PK LTO ULTRIUM UNIVERSAL CLEANING CARTRIDGE PL-7A
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Added to cart 28 times recently
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- Hpe
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- Warranty:
- 3
- List Price:
$96.00
- Price:
$52.0045.8% off
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C7978A Overview
C7978A is a high-performance SAN storage solution featuring a 16‐bay design that supports a wide array of drive types including SATA HDD, SAS HDD, SATA SSD, and NVMe SSD. It offers a total storage capacity of 512 TB with robust RAID options (RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 6, RAID 10), an Intel Xeon processor with 8 cores, and comes with 16 GB of pre-installed DDR4 RAM that is expandable up to 64 GB. The system provides interfaces through USB 3.0 and a 10GbE network port with 4 LAN ports, ensuring versatile connectivity and network support.
Engineered for demanding enterprise data centers, virtualization platforms, media servers, and SMB backup applications, the C7978A supports expansion capabilities that allow seamless scalability. It features an active cooling system with redundant fan support and a redundant power supply rated at 350W to ensure uninterrupted operations and reliability in mission-critical environments.
C7978A price is $52.00, a 45.8% saving from the Hpe list price of $96.00. C7978A is in stock and available for next-day dispatch. (terms applied)
Request bulk order quote for C7978A for additional pricing. Browse the full Hpe Tape Storages series or explore all Hpe products.
C7978A Specifications
- Product Type
- Storage System
- Storage Type
- SAN
- Form Factor
- Rackmount
- Bay Count
- 16-bay
- Supported Drive Types
- SATA HDD / SAS HDD / SATA SSD / NVMe SSD
- Hot-Swap Support
- Yes
- Max Supported Capacity
- 512 TB
- RAID Support
- RAID 0 / RAID 1 / RAID 5 / RAID 6 / RAID 10
- CPU Type
- Intel Xeon
- CPU Cores
- 8
- Installed RAM
- 16 GB
- Max RAM Capacity
- 64 GB
- RAM Type
- DDR4
- Network Ports
- 10GbE
- LAN Ports
- 4
- USB Ports
- USB 3.0
- Expansion Support
- Yes
- Cooling
- Active
- Power Supply
- Redundant
- Power Supply Wattage
- 350W
- Operating System
- Custom OS
- Snapshot Support
- Yes
- Cloud Sync Support
- Yes
- Virtualization Ready
- Yes
- iSCSI Support
- Yes
- Surveillance Support
- Yes
- Use Case
- Enterprise Data Center / Virtualization / Media Server / SMB Backup
- Product Name
- C7978A Storage Array
- Height
- 3.5 inches
- Width
- 17.5 inches
- Depth
- 29 inches
- Weight
- 55 lbs
C7978A Use Case
Enterprise Tape Library Preventive Maintenance in Data Centers
In large-scale data centers running LTO-8 and LTO-7 tape libraries, the C7978A-1PK LTO ULTRIUM UNIVERSAL CLEANING CARTRIDGE PL-7A is scheduled every 50 cartridge loads to remove debris from read/write heads. This proactive maintenance reduces unplanned drive failures by up to 30%, extends drive lifetime, and ensures peak tape performance—minimizing downtime and lowering total cost of ownership for high-availability backup infrastructures.
Regulatory Compliance & Data Integrity for Financial Services
Financial institutions subject to PCI DSS, GDPR, and SOX utilize the C7978A-1PK LTO ULTRIUM UNIVERSAL CLEANING CARTRIDGE PL-7A during quarterly audit-prep cycles on their LTO-6/7 archival systems. By eliminating particulate contamination, this cleaning protocol delivers consistent data reads, preserves backup fidelity, and supports audit-readiness—demonstrating due diligence in data integrity and safeguarding against costly compliance violations.
Remote Field Deployments & Edge Data Archiving
Telecom and oil-&-gas operators employ the C7978A-1PK LTO ULTRIUM UNIVERSAL CLEANING CARTRIDGE PL-7A for on-site maintenance of portable LTO-5/6 drives in remote outposts. With a simple, tool-free cleaning cycle, field technicians can prevent tape errors without specialist support. The outcome: reduced service calls, extended maintenance intervals, and reliable edge-site backups even under harsh environmental conditions.
Quality Certifications
To get the detailed certification, please go to the Compliance Center.
Product Comparison Table 
| C7978A |  C7973W |  BL544B |  Q2009A |  Q2013A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Storage System | Storage System | Storage System | Storage System | Storage System |
| Storage Type | SAN | NAS | NAS | NAS | NAS |
| Form Factor | Rackmount | Rackmount | Rackmount | Rackmount | Rackmount |
| Bay Count | 16-bay | 12-bay | 24-bay | 24-bay | 12-bay |
| Supported Drive Types | SATA HDD / SAS HDD / SATA SSD / NVMe SSD | Mixed | SATA HDD / SAS HDD / SATA SSD / NVMe SSD | Mixed | Mixed |
| Hot-Swap Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Max Supported Capacity | 512 TB | 512 TB | 1 PB | 1 PB | 1 PB |
| RAID Support | RAID 0 / RAID 1 / RAID 5 / RAID 6 / RAID 10 | RAID 0 / RAID 1 / RAID 5 / RAID 6 / RAID 10 | RAID 0 / RAID 1 / RAID 5 / RAID 6 / RAID 10 | RAID 0 / RAID 1 / RAID 5 / RAID 6 / RAID 10 | RAID 0 / RAID 1 / RAID 5 / RAID 6 / RAID 10 |
| CPU Type | Intel Xeon | Intel Xeon | Intel Xeon | Intel Xeon | Intel Xeon |
| CPU Cores | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Installed RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB | 16 GB |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB | 128 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Type | DDR4 | DDR4 | DDR4 | ECC DDR4 | ECC DDR4 |
| Network Ports | 10GbE | 10GbE | 10GbE | 10GbE | 10GbE |
| LAN Ports | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
| USB Ports | USB 3.0 | USB 3.2 | USB 3.2 | USB 3.2 | USB 3.2 |
| Expansion Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cooling | Active | Redundant Fan | Active | Redundant Fan | Redundant Fan |
| Power Supply | Redundant | Redundant | Redundant | Redundant | Redundant |
| Power Supply Wattage | 350W | 750W | 500W | 750W | 500W |
| Operating System | Custom OS | Custom OS | Custom OS | Custom OS | QTS |
| Snapshot Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cloud Sync Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Virtualization Ready | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| iSCSI Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Surveillance Support | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Use Case | Enterprise Data Center / Virtualization / Media Server / SMB Backup | Enterprise Data Center | Enterprise Data Center | Enterprise Data Center | Enterprise Data Center |
| Product Name | C7978A Storage Array | C7973W Enterprise Storage System | BL544B | Q2009A Enterprise Storage System | Q2013A Enterprise NAS |
| Height | 3.5 inches | 3.5 inches | 3.5 inches | 3.5 inches | 3.5 inches |
| Width | 17.5 inches | 17.5 inches | 17 inches | 17.5 inches | 17.3 inches |
| Depth | 29 inches | 28.0 inches | 28 inches | 28 inches | 24.0 inches |
| Weight | 55 lbs | 45 lbs | 40 lbs | 45 lbs | 45 lbs |
Reviews & Ratings
N
Nimra Aziz
4
Easy to use and recognized automatically.
B
Boris Ivanov
5
Helped resolve read errors caused by dust buildup.
K
Kamran Shafi
5
Essential maintenance tool for tape drives.
V
Victor Sloan
4
Works exactly as intended.
Questions & Answers
What is the C7978A 1PK LTO Ultrium Universal Cleaning Cartridge PL-7A?
The C7978A cleaning cartridge is a universal LTO Ultrium tape drive maintenance cartridge designed to remove debris and ensure reliable read/write performance.
Which tape drives are compatible with this cleaning cartridge?
The PL-7A cleaning cartridge is compatible with all LTO Ultrium half-inch tape drives, including LTO-1 through LTO-8 models from major vendors.
How often should I clean my LTO tape drive using the PL-7A cartridge?
HP recommends cleaning every 30 to 50 tape mount operations or if the drive indicates a cleaning alert, whichever comes first.
How many cleaning cycles does one PL-7A cartridge support?
Each universal cleaning cartridge supports up to 50 cleaning cycles under normal operating conditions.
How do I perform the cleaning process with the PL-7A cartridge?
Insert the cleaning cartridge into the drive like a regular tape, allow the automated cleaning cycle to complete, and then eject the cartridge per drive prompts.
What are the benefits of regular tape drive cleaning?
Regular cleaning prevents read/write errors, extends tape drive lifespan, maintains optimal data throughput, and reduces media wear.
Can I reuse the cleaning cartridge after one cycle?
Yes, the universal cleaning cartridge is reusable for up to 50 cleaning operations before replacement is required.
What happens if I skip scheduled tape drive cleaning?
Skipping cleaning increases the risk of tape errors, drive failures, data corruption, and reduced performance.
How should I store the PL-7A cleaning cartridge when not in use?
Store the cartridge in its protective case at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and magnetic sources.
Is the PL-7A cleaning cartridge environmentally friendly?
The cartridge is RoHS-compliant and designed for minimal waste; HP also offers recycling programs for used cartridges.
How do I know when my tape drive requires cleaning?
Most LTO drives display a cleaning-required indicator or error message; refer to the drive’s status panel or management software.
What safety precautions should I follow when using the cleaning cartridge?
Handle the cartridge by its case, avoid touching the cleaning tape surface, and operate in a dust-free environment.
How do I dispose of a used PL-7A cleaning cartridge?
Dispose of the cartridge according to local electronic waste regulations or return it through HP’s recycling program.
What warranty coverage applies to the C7978A cleaning cartridge?
HP provides a one-year limited warranty covering manufacturing defects; consult HP support for full terms and conditions.
Does the universal cleaning cartridge affect my data tapes?
No, the cleaning cartridge is designed solely for the drive mechanism and does not contact or erase user data tapes.
How does the PL-7A differ from vendor-specific cleaning cartridges?
The universal PL-7A works across multiple LTO brands, reducing SKU count and simplifying inventory management.
Where can I purchase replacement PL-7A cleaning cartridges?
Authorized HP resellers, HP’s official online store, and major enterprise IT distributors stock the C7978A cleaning cartridge.