IBM System Storage TS2900, Setup, Operator, And Service Manual, Page: 119 / 257

Chapter 5. Media
5-5
Important: It is recommended that the drive be cleaned only when it is requested by
the drive.
The IBM Ultrium Universal Cleaning Cartridge is valid for 50 uses. The cartridge’s
LTO-CM (Cartridge Memory) chip tracks the number of times that the cartridge is
used.
Note: The drive will automatically eject an expired cleaning cartridge.
Cartridge Memory Chip (LTO-CM)
All generations of the IBM LTO Ultrium Data Cartridges include a Linear Tape-Open
Cartridge Memory (LTO-CM) chip ( in Figure 5-1 on page 5-1), that contains
information about the cartridge and the tape (such as the name of the manufacturer
that created the tape), as well as statistical information about the cartridge’s use. The
LTO-CM enhances the efficiency of the cartridge. For example, the LTO-CM stores the
end-of-data location which, when the next time this cartridge is inserted and the
Write command is issued, enables the drive to quickly locate the recording area and
begin recording. The LTO-CM also aids in determining the reliability of the cartridge
by storing data about its age, how many times it has been loaded, and how many
errors it has accumulated. Whenever a tape cartridge is unloaded, the tape drive
writes any pertinent information to the cartridge memory.
The storage capacity of the LTO Generation 4 LTO-CM is 8160 bytes. LTO Generations
1, 2, and 3 have an LTO-CM capacity of 4096 bytes.
Bar Code Labels
A bar code label contains:
• A volume serial number (VOLSER) that is human-readable
• A bar code that the library can read
Note: The tape drive does not require bar code labels, but you should use labels for
tape cartridge identification purposes.
When read by a library’s bar code reader, the bar code identifies the cartridge’s
VOLSER to the library. The bar code also tells the library whether the cartridge is a
data cartridge or cleaning cartridge. In addition, the bar code includes the
two-character media-type identifier Lx, where x equals 1, 2, 3, or 4. L identifies the
cartridge as an LTO cartridge and the number represents the generation of cartridge
1
Table 5-4. Bar code label requirements for the Ultrium tape drive and library
Ultrium Tape Drive/Library Bar Code Label Requirements
3572 Required
3573 Required
3576 Required
3580 Not required
3581 Required with optional Bar Code Reader
3582 Required
3583 Required
3584 Required