• Regular VPD updates occur on periodic intervals
System connectivity
The 3592 tape drive provides redundant Fibre Channel ports (Port 0 and Port 1) that can be attached to
supported systems directly.
The 3592 supports a broad range of computing environments, including selected
• IBM eServer System z, S/390, or Linux
• IBM eServer System i, AS/400
• IBM eServer System p, RS/6000 (AIX)
• IBM eServer System x
• Sun
• HP servers
• Intel-compatible servers that run Microsoft Windows or Linux
Tape cartridge
The 3592 drive uses a 3592 tape cartridge. The 3592 tape cartridges can be intermixed with some other
type tape cartridges within the same library, but must be stored in a 3592-dedicated library frame. Do not
insert a 3592 cartridge into a tape drive other than a 3592. Do not insert any other type of tape cartridge
into a 3592 drive.
Cartridge type indicator
Several types of cartridges are available for the 3592:
• Data cartridge - Identified by the 2 characters J?, followed by a 6-character volume ID number
(VOLSER). Replace the ? with one of the characters in Table 13 on page 26. Match this identifier with
descriptions of the various data cartridge types.
• Cleaning cartridge - The case of the unique 3592 cleaning cartridge is black, and the door, tab, and label
are cool gray. The cleaning cartridge is an “FFF4” category tape. See “Cleaning cartridge” on page 36.
• CE scratch tape - This diagnostic cartridge, an “FFF5” category tape, carries a label with the identifying
information “CE nnnJC.” For this example, use CE 110JC.
– CE = CE scratch tape
– nnn = the unique tape cartridge serial number to differentiate which tape cartridge was used for test
on a drive. For this example, it is '110'
– JC = one of several media types for 3592 models (see “3592 data tape cartridge” on page 25)
The EH7 and EH8 drives use a JK type cartridge for a diagnostic cartridge. The 55F and 60F drives use a
JL type cartridge for a diagnostic cartridge.
3592 data tape cartridge
The 3592 data cartridges contain media that is housed in a cartridge. The 3592 cartridges are the same
physical size as the 3590 cartridges. This size similarity makes the 3592 data cartridges compatible with
storage slots in many existing libraries. Though a 3592 cartridge has the same length and width
dimensions as a 3590 cartridge, mechanical differences prevent it from being loaded into a 3590 drive by
mistake. Also, a 3590 tape cartridge cannot be mistakenly loaded into a 3592 drive. The external and
internal labels are different for each type of cartridge. When a cartridge is installed into the library, the
media type is associated with the storage location within the library.
The data tape cartridge that is used in a 3592 contains a
• Single reel of magnetic tape
• Leader pin
1
Introduction 25
