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Use Case · AI/HPC Cold Tier

AI/HPC cold storage on LTO tape libraries

Retain training datasets, simulation output, and reproducibility archives without keeping all data on always-on storage.

AI and HPC programs generate datasets that must be retained for reproducibility and governance, but only a subset stays active. The rest belongs in cold storage.

AI/HPC Cold Tier LTO tape archive use case

An LTO tape library supports long-horizon cold storage for infrequently accessed datasets while reducing dependence on always-on storage.

Architecture steps

  1. Keep active datasets on warm performance tiers for immediate compute access.
  2. Move completed runs and reproducibility datasets to cold storage in the tape library under automated retention policies.
  3. Rehydrate selectively for model validation, retraining, or compliance review.

Governance controls

  • Tag retained datasets with policy metadata for reproducibility and audit trails.
  • Define retrieval SLA classes by project criticality.
  • Use standardized formats and LTFS-oriented workflows for portable recovery.

Best-fit Qualstar platforms

Industries where this is common

Cloud data centers

Supports high-growth cold tiers for multi-tenant infrastructure.

Information technology

Helps IT teams balance performance and long-term retention costs.

Education

Fits research and university compute archives with long retention horizons.

Next step

Get a sizing recommendation for your ai/hpc cold tier.

Share how much data you hold and how long it must stay readable. A Qualstar specialist replies with a library recommendation, an offline-copy plan, and budget guidance during business hours.

  • Rack-scale Q1000+ or Q24 to Q80 libraries, sized to your growth
  • Offline copy for ransomware and disaster recovery
  • LTO-9 and LTO-10 drives, LTFS for portable data
  • Tape media in stock and shipping in weeks

Get a retention plan and library sizing

Tell us how much data you hold and how long it must stay readable. A Qualstar specialist will reply with a sizing recommendation during business hours.

Further reading