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.
A tape cartridge is initialized when it is first loaded into a compatible tape drive and data is written by the ISV application at the beginning of tape (sometimes referred to
as "labeling a tape" or "writing from BOT"). The tape drive then establishes the density of the media.
If an uninitialized M8 cartridge is not initialized in a tape library that supports uninitialized M8 cartridges, then the cartridge might inadvertently and silently be initialized
at the L7 density (that is, at a 6 TB native capacity) even if the bar code label states “M8”. This action might occur with the usage of a non LTO8 tape drive, a stand-alone
LTO7 tape drive, a stand-alone LTO8 tape drive, earlier LTO8 tape drive firmware, or earlier ISV software that does not recognize that M8 cartridges must be mounted only
in LTO8 tape drives. M8 cartridges that are inadvertently initialized at the L7 density can continue to be read and written in LTO7 and LTO8 tape drives. However, they
remain limited to the 6 TB native capacity.
In any tape product with M8 cartridges, the minimum LTO8 tape drive firmware version is HB82.
Capacity Scaling
You can control the capacity of data cartridges to obtain faster seek times.
To control the capacity of the cartridge (for example, to obtain a faster seek time) issue the SCSI command SET CAPACITY. For information about this command, refer to
the IBM Ultrium Tape Drive SCSI Reference.
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.
The LTO Ultrium 4 and later drives enable WORM support when a WORM tape cartridge is loaded into the drive.
Certain built-in security measures help ensure that the data that is written on a WORM cartridge does not become compromised.
Several conditions can cause WORM media errors to occur.
You can add WORM capability to your IBM® Ultrium tape drive.
WORM media
The standard read/write media are incompatible with the WORM feature so a specially formatted WORM tape cartridge is required, see
. Each WORM cartridge has
a unique, worldwide cartridge identifier (WWCID), which comprises the unique CM chip serial number and the unique tape media serial number. For more information
about how to choose and purchase the appropriate WORM tape cartridges for your tape drive, see
.
Figure 1. Ultrium Data and WORM Tape Cartridges
Data security on WORM media
Certain built-in security measures help ensure that the data that is written on a WORM cartridge does not become compromised.
For example:
The format of an Ultrium WORM Tape Cartridge is not the same as the standard read/write media. This unique format prevents a drive that lacks WORM-capable
firmware from writing on a WORM tape cartridge. For LTO 9, native data capacity is 18 TB and compressed data capacity is 45 TB.
When the drive senses a WORM cartridge, the firmware prohibits the changing or altering of user data that is already written on the tape. The firmware notes the
last point on the tape that can be appended.
WORM media errors
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IBM TS22xx - TS2290, TS2280, and TS2270
