Dell PowerVault TL4000
The Dell PowerVault TL4000 is an enterprise 4U automated tape library featuring 48 cartridge slots and up to 4 half-height LTO drives. Designed for mid-to-large enterprise data centers demanding high-throughput overnight backup windows and massive offline compliance archiving, the TL4000 provides multi-drive parallelism, automated cartridge auditing, and robust web management.
Also written as: PowerVault TL4000, Dell TL4000, TL4000 4U Tape Library
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | PowerVault Tape |
| Form factor | 4U rack |
| Released | Jun 2008 |
| End of sale | Jan 2019 |
| End of support | Jan 2024 |
| Tape slots | 48 cartridge slots across four removable 12-slot magazines in 4U |
| Drive bays | Up to 4 half-height or 2 full-height LTO-4, LTO-5, LTO-6, LTO-7, or LTO-8 tape drives |
| Native capacity | Up to 576TB native (1.44PB compressed) with LTO-8 media |
| Host interface | 6Gb/12Gb SAS or 8Gb Fibre Channel host interface modules |
| Power supply | Redundant hot-plug power supplies |
Generations
- Next generation: Dell PowerVault ML3
Compatible parts
Network adapters
540-BBGY Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 PCIe Low Profile Network Adapter
OCP adapters
540-BBHB Dell Broadcom 57414 Dual Port 10/25GbE SFP28 OCP 3.0 Mezzanine Network Adapter
Transceivers
407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
Rail kits
770-BCKW Dell ReadyRails II Sliding Rails for 2U PowerEdge Servers (B6)
Check compatibility with Dell
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Dell has tested with the Dell PowerVault TL4000.
- Compatibility Dell E-Lab Navigator (storage and SAN interoperability) (free vendor sign-in)
- Support Dell Support: drivers, manuals and service tag lookup
Equivalent models from other brands
Buying a used PowerVault TL4000: what to check
Examine vertical and horizontal robotic axis belts and gear tracks, check all 4 magazine locks, inspect installed LTO drive generation and interface types, and confirm web management credentials.
FAQ
What is the maximum backup throughput of the TL4000 with 4 drives?
With 4 LTO-8 drives, native backup throughput reaches up to 1.44 TB/hr (over 3.6 TB/hr compressed).
Can the TL4000 be split into separate logical libraries?
Yes, partitioning enables dedicating specific drives and cartridge slots to distinct operating systems or backup applications.
Buying or selling PowerVault TL4000?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Dell PowerVault TL4000 Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27