IBM Enterprise Server S80, User Manual

Page: 44 / 282

Environmental Considerations for 8-mm Data Cartridges
Information in this section describes operating and storage conditions including
temperature, relative humidity, and maximum wet-bulb data.
Attention: The manufacturer has specified a set of temperature and humidity ranges
in which the 8-mm data cartridge can operate with ease. Only regular cleaning
procedures are required when operating the cartridge within this range. The risk of
possible data loss is increased if 8-mm tape cartridges are operated, stored, or shipped
outside the temperature or humidity ranges shown in the following table:
Operating Ranges Storage Shipping
Temperature 16°C to 32°C (60°F to
90°F) 5°C to 32°C (40°F to
90°F) -40°C to 52°C (-40°F
to 125°F)
Relative Humidity
(non-condensing) 20 to 80% 20 to 80% 5 to 80%
Maximum Wet Bulb 26°C (79°F) 26°C (79°F) 26°C (79°F)
Before using a cartridge, always let it adjust (acclimate) to the operating environment.
Do this by placing the cartridge with its container in the operating environment for as
long as it has been away from this environment or for 24 hours, whichever is less.
Acclimation is necessary for any data cartridge that has been exposed to a different
humidity environment or a temperature change of 11°C or 20°F or more.
Operating in Harsh Environments
The 8-mm tape drive is ideally suited to streaming operations, as opposed to tape
movement operations involving multiple stop/starts and random searches. When the
tape is used for frequent stop-and-start operations, streaming movement is beneficial
and should be used whenever possible. This can be accomplished by ensuring that any
save or restore operation is the only active operation performed by a device connected
to this SCSI I/O controller.
Any tape that has been used outside the ranges specified in the table on page 26 for
an extended period of time (50 passes in 40 hours of nonstop operation) should not be
used as an archival tape. Exposure to the environment deteriorates the magnetic and
physical strength of the tape. Do not store important data on a tape that has been used
outside the specified ranges; transfer the data to a new tape for reliable archiving.
8-mm Data Cartridge Erasure
Most bulk eraser devices do not have the capability to erase 8-mm data cartridges. To
properly erase an 8-mm data cartridge with a bulk eraser device, the erasure rating
must be at least 1500 oersted.
The 2.3GB and the 5.0GB 8-mm tape drives erase residual data before writing new
data on the data tape.
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S80 and S85 User’s Guide