shows the IBM LTO Ultrium Data Cartridge and its components.
1
LTO cartridge memory 4
Write-protect Switch
2
Cartridge door
5
Label area
3
Leader Pin
6
Insertion guide
When tape is processed in the cartridges, Ultrium tape drives use a linear, serpentine recording format. The first set of tracks is written from near the beginning of the tape
almost to 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 2 protects the tape from contamination when the cartridge is out of the drive. The tape is attached to a leader pin 3 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 4 prevents data from being written to the tape cartridge. For more information, see
.
The label area 5 provides a location to place a label. For more information, see
The insertion guide 6 is a large, notched area that prevents the cartridge from being inserted incorrectly.
Note: The same components are on all the IBM LTO Ultrium Data Cartridges.
WORM (Write once, read many) cartridges
Certain records retention and data security applications require a write once, read many (WORM) method for storing data on tape.
An IBM Ultrium Universal Cleaning Cartridge is required to clean the tape drive.
Cartridge memory chip (LTO-CM)
All generations of the IBM LTO Ultrium data cartridges include a Linear Tape-Open Cartridge Memory (LTO-CM) chip.
Bar code label requirements for LTO drives.
The position of the write-protect switch on the tape cartridge determines whether you can write to the tape.
Incorrect handling or an incorrect environment can damage cartridges or their magnetic tape.
Repositioning or reattaching a leader pin
Information about repairing your tape cartridges: repositioning or reattaching the leader pins.
Environmental and shipping specifications for tape cartridges
Specific storage and shipping environmental conditions apply to tape cartridges.
Under the current rules of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), regulation 40CFR261, the LTO Ultrium Tape Cartridge is classified as non-hazardous
waste.
LTO type M cartridge (M8)
The LTO Program introduced a new capability with LTO-8 tape drives: the ability to write 9 TB (native) on a brand new LTO Ultrium 7 cartridge instead of 6 TB (native) as
specified by the LTO-7 format. Such a cartridge is called an LTO7 initialized LTO Type M cartridge. These LTO Type M cartridges are identifiable by using an automation bar
code label that ends with the last 2 characters “M8”.
Table 1. LTO7 and LTO8 Cartridge Types
Cartridge/Density type Bar code label Cartridge Packaging/Silkscreen labeling Native capacity Tape Drive compatibility
L8
xxxxxxL8
LTO Ultrium 8
12 TB
LTO8
M8
xxxxxxM8
LTO Ultrium 7
9 TB
LTO8
L7
xxxxxxL7
LTO Ultrium 7
6 TB
LTO7, LTO8
From now on, these cartridges are referred to as L8, M8, and L7.
Only new, unused LTO Ultrium 7 cartridges can be initialized as M8 cartridges. When a cartridge is initialized as M8, it cannot be changed back to L7. Initialized M8
cartridges can be written and read-only in an LTO8 tape drive. LTO7 tape drives cannot read initialized M8 cartridges.
M8 cartridges can be purchased as either pre-initialized (also referred to as “labeled and initialized”) M8 data cartridges or uninitialized M8 data cartridges (M8 WORM
cartridges are not supported). For either option, the bar code label is included. However, the uninitialized M8 data cartridge must first be initialized in tape libraries that
support the automatic initialization of uninitialized M8 cartridges while under the control of ISV applications that recognize the “M8” bar code label.
TS2900 Tape Autoloader
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Summary of Contents for System Storage TS2900
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