Channel calibration
System performance is optimized by channel calibration.
System performance is further optimized by a feature that is called channel calibration, in which the drive
automatically customizes each read/write data channel to compensate for variations in such things as the
recording channel 's transfer function, the media, and characteristics of the drive head.
Data cartridge capacity scaling
Capacity scaling enables faster random access to data.
The
SET CAPACITY SCSI
command enables a customer to capacity scale a data cartridge to enable
faster random access. As an example, a customer can capacity scale a data cartridge to 20% of its normal
length that improves the average access time by almost a factor of 5. However, it also reduces the native
capacity of the tape to 80 GB160 GB300 GB500 GB1.2 TB.
Encryption
The LTO tape drive supports host Application Managed Encryption (AME), with T10 encryption methods.
Data encryption is supported by LTO Ultrium 4 and later data cartridges only.
The encryption-enabled drive contains the necessary hardware and firmware to encrypt and decrypt
host tape application data. Encryption policy and encryption keys are provided by the host application. A
drive digital certificate is installed at manufacturing time. Each drive receives a unique serial number and
certificate. The T10 Application can validate each drive instance by checking the drive's digital certificate.
Tape backup software
You need backup software that supports the Dell PowerVault tape drive. As a general rule, native backup
applications (such as
NTBackup
and
tar
) do not provide the required data streaming rate to get the full
performance of your tape drive. It is recommend that you use a backup application that provides better
memory management as well as other useful features, such as
TapeAlert
. For the latest supported
software versions, go to the Dell support website at http://www.Dell.com/support or visit the support site
of your backup software vendor.
Front panel
a80hd003
1
3
4
6
2
5
Figure 4. Front panel
1
Eject
4
Single-character display (SCD)
2
Ready/Activity LED
5
Single dot
3
Fault LED
6
Encryption Status LED
1. Eject enables you to complete several functions. These functions are described in detail in Chapter 3,
“Using the tape drive,” on page 20 .
Chapter 1. Introduction 7
