IBM System Storage TS2900, Setup, Operator, And Service Manual

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5-2
TS2900 Tape Autoloader Setup, Operator, and Service Guide
Data Cartridges
The different generations of IBM Ultrium data cartridges can be identified by color:
All generations contain 1/2-inch, dual-coat, metal-particle tape.
You can order tape cartridges with the bar code labels included, or you can order
custom labels. To obtain tape cartridges and bar code labels, see “Ordering Media
Supplies” on page 5-19.
When processing tape in the cartridges, Ultrium Tape Drives use a linear, serpentine
recording format. The native data capacity and recording format of Ultrium data
cartridges is as follows:
The first set of tracks (sixteen for Ultrium 4 and 3; eight for Ultrium 2 and 1) is written
from near the beginning of the tape to near the end of the tape. The head then
repositions to the next set of tracks for the return pass. This process continues until all
tracks are written and the cartridge is full, or until all data is written.
The cartridge door protects the tape from contamination when the cartridge is out
of the drive. The tape is attached to a leader pin behind the door. When the
cartridge is inserted into the drive, a threading mechanism pulls the pin (and tape)
out of the cartridge, across the drive head, and onto a non-removable take-up reel.
The head can then read or write data from or to the tape.
The write-protect switch prevents data from being written to the tape cartridge.
For more information, see “Write-Protect Switch” on page 5-7.
The label area provides a location to place a label. For more information, see “Bar
Code Labels” on page 5-5.
Table 5-1. Ultrium data cartridges
Type Color
Ultrium 4 Green
Ultrium 4 WORM Green and Silvery gray
Ultrium 3 Slate Blue
Ultrium 3 WORM Slate Blue and Silvery gray
Ultrium 2 Purple
Ultrium 1 Black
Table 5-2. Data capacity and recording format
Type Native Data Capacity Recording Format
Ultrium 4 800 GB (1600 GB at 2:1 compression) Reads and writes data on 896 tracks,
sixteen tracks at a time.
Ultrium 3 400 GB (800 GB at 2:1 compression) Reads and writes data on 704 tracks,
sixteen tracks at a time.
Ultrium 2 200 GB (400 GB at 2:1 compression) Reads and writes data on 512 tracks,
eight tracks at a time.
Ultrium 1 100 GB (200 GB at 2:1 compression) Reads and writes data on 384 tracks,
eight tracks at a time.
2
3
4
5