Write-protecting tape cartridges
All rewriteable data cartridges have a write-protect switch to prevent accidental erasure or
overwriting of data. Before loading a cartridge into the device, make sure the write-protect switch
on the front of the cartridge is in the desired position.
•
Slide the switch to the
left
to allow the device to write data to the cartridge (see
“Write-protecting the data cartridge” (page 45)
, 1).
•
Slide the switch to the
right
to write-protect the cartridge. An indicator, such as a red mark
or small padlock, is visible showing that the cartridge is write-protected (see
“Write-protecting
the data cartridge” (page 45)
, 2).
Figure 19 Write-protecting the data cartridge
2. Write-protected
1. Write-enabled
4. Bar code label
3. Write-protect switch
5. Insertion arrow
Read and write compatibility
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Ultrium data cartridges are fully supported and compatible with all
Ultrium tape products (see
“Backward read compatibility” (page 45)
). Because Hewlett Packard
Enterprise Ultrium media is Ultrium logo compliant, it can be used with any other non-Hewlett
Packard Enterprise tape drivethat bears the Ultrium logo.
Table 11 Read and write compatibility
LTO-7 drive
LTO-6
drive
LTO-5
drive
LTO-4
drive
LTO-3 drive
LTO-2
drive
LTO-1
drive
Incompatible
Incompatible
Incompatible
Incompatible
Read only
Read/Write
Read/Write
LTO-1 media
Incompatible
Incompatible
Incompatible
Read only
Read/Write
Read/Write
Incompatible
LTO-2 media
Incompatible
Incompatible
Read only
Read/Write
(no
encryption)
Read/Write
Incompatible
Incompatible
LTO-3 media
Incompatible
Read only
Read/Write
Read/Write
Incompatible
Incompatible
Incompatible
LTO-4 media
—
unencrypted
Incompatible
Read only
with
Read/Write
with
Read/Write
with
Incompatible
Incompatible
Incompatible
LTO-4 media
— encrypted
encryption
key
encryption
key
encryption
key
Tape cartridges
45