Setting the write-protect switch
Tape cartridges feature a write-protect switch located in the upper-left
corner of the cartridge. You can set the switch to keep data from
being written on the tape. Use this switch when you want to make
sure that important data on the tape will not be overwritten.
The illustration below shows the cartridge with the switch
1
in the
nonprotected (read and write) or unlocked position.
The following illustration shows the switch
2
in the protected (read
only) or locked position.
To return a cartridge to the unprotected write state, push the switch
towards the end of the cartridge or unlocked position.
Reviewing performance considerations
The tape option is ideally suited to streaming operations, as opposed to
multiple-start-and-stop tape movement. Frequent start-and-stop
operations are often the result of data underruns. Start-and-stop
operation can also increase the stress on both the drive and the media.
Your backup application and other system characteristics can also
affect performance. Alternative operating systems, file system
structures and backup applications might give significantly different
performance results. If you need to improve the performance of the
tape backup application, consider one or more of the following:
Disable data compression (if used) using your backup application
software.
Reduce the number of other applications that might be running
simultaneously with the backup application.
Part 2: User's Guide 2-9