> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hedge.video/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hedge.video/canister/requirements.md).

# Requirements

Canister itself doesn't have any requirements in terms of CPU and RAM, but LTFS does like ample resources. As a rough guide, any Apple Silicon Mac or recent PC with 16G memory, and a solid state system drive, will be sufficient.

## Which LTO hardware does Canister support?

Canister supports a wide range of standalone LTO drives, from a variety of vendors. For most Macs, SAS-based units tend to be connected via a Thunderbolt, while PCs and Mac Pros come with the option to install a PCIe HBA directly into the host system's motherboard.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS" %}

* LTO Drives
  * IBM LTO-5 to LTO-10
  * HP and Quantum LTO-5 to LTO-9
  * <mark style="color:$warning;">Tandberg drives (using HP LTFS)</mark>
* HBAs
  * Most ATTO and Areca SAS models
  * TLR support is required
  * <mark style="color:$warning;">Highpoint RocketRaid controllers are not recommended for LTO</mark>
* Thunderbolt/SAS LTO solutions by Symply, OWC, MagStor, mLogic etc
* Ethernet-based LTO solutions by Symply & MagStor (from Canister `24.1`)
* <mark style="color:$warning;">USB-based LTO solutions by Unitex are not supported on Mac at this time</mark>
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}

* LTO Drives
  * IBM LTO-5 to LTO-10
  * Quantum Rev-C LTO-7 to LTO-9
  * <mark style="color:$warning;">HP (and thus Tandberg) LTO drives are not currently supported on Windows</mark>
* HBAs
  * Most ATTO and Areca SAS models
  * Selected LSI chipsets (eg. `SAS2308`, onward)
    * TLR support is required
      * <mark style="color:$warning;">Highpoint RocketRaid controllers are not recommended for LTO</mark>
* Thunderbolt/SAS LTO solutions by Symply, OWC, MagStor, mLogic and more
* Ethernet-based LTO solutions by Symply & MagStor (from Canister `24.1`)
* USB-based LTO solutions by Unitex
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Mileage may vary with Fibre Channel-based drives. Canister does not detect which driver your FC device requires - contact your vendor for that.
{% endhint %}

## Which versions of macOS, Windows and LTFS are supported?

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS" %}
The latest version of Canister for Mac requires macOS `12` or newer, and supports both Intel and Apple silicon.

As with all things LTO, it's essential to pair your operating system with a compatible LTFS version. The table below documents which versions of IBM LTFS are suitable for which macOS and Canister release.

<table><thead><tr><th width="99.38433837890625">macOS</th><th width="124.609375">Name</th><th width="158.86566162109375">Supported since</th><th width="153.8624267578125">Supported up to</th><th>LTFS Version</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>26</td><td>Tahoe</td><td>Canister 25.2</td><td><a href="https://hedge.video/download/canister/macos">Latest release</a></td><td>2.4.8.2</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Sequoia</td><td>Canister 24.2</td><td><a href="https://hedge.video/download/canister/macos">Latest release</a></td><td>2.4.8.2</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Sonoma</td><td>Canister 23.2</td><td><a href="https://hedge.video/download/canister/macos">Latest release</a></td><td>2.4.8.2</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Ventura</td><td>Canister 22.1</td><td><a href="https://hedge.video/download/canister/macos">Latest release</a></td><td>2.4.8.2</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Monterey</td><td>Canister 21.1</td><td><a href="https://hedge.video/download/canister/macos">Latest release</a></td><td>2.4.8.2</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Big Sur</td><td>Canister 20.2</td><td><a href="https://docs.hedge.video/canister/releases#canister-25.2">Canister 25.2</a></td><td>2.4.5.1</td></tr><tr><td>10.15</td><td>Catalina</td><td>Canister 19.1</td><td><a href="https://docs.hedge.video/canister/releases#canister-25.2">Canister 25.2</a></td><td>2.4.5.1</td></tr><tr><td>10.14</td><td>Mojave</td><td>Canister 18.1</td><td><a href="https://docs.hedge.video/canister/releases#canister-24.1">Canister 24.1</a></td><td>2.4.5.1</td></tr><tr><td>10.13</td><td>High Sierra</td><td>Canister 18.1</td><td><a href="https://docs.hedge.video/canister/releases#canister-24.1">Canister 24.1</a></td><td>2.4.5.1</td></tr><tr><td>10.12</td><td>Sierra</td><td>Canister 18.1</td><td><a href="https://docs.hedge.video/canister/releases#canister-22.3">Canister 22.3</a></td><td>2.4.5.1</td></tr></tbody></table>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}
Canister for Windows supports Windows `10`, onward. We do not officially test or support Windows Server, so your milage may vary.

As with all things LTO, it's essential to pair your operating system with a compatible version of LTFS. The table below documents which versions of IBM LTFS are suitable.

<table><thead><tr><th width="114.04376220703125">Windows</th><th width="179.29998779296875">Supported since</th><th>Supported up to</th><th>LTFS Version</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>11</td><td><a href="https://docs.hedge.video/canister/releases#canister-23.2">Canister 23.2</a></td><td><a href="https://hedge.video/download/canister/windows">Latest release</a></td><td>2.4.8.3 onward</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td><a href="https://docs.hedge.video/canister/releases#canister-23.2">Canister 23.2</a></td><td><a href="https://hedge.video/download/canister/windows">Latest release</a></td><td>2.4.8.3 onward</td></tr></tbody></table>
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}


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