The LTO program introduced a new capability with LTO8 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 LTO7 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 later Cartridge Types
Cartridge/Density type Bar code label Cartridge Packaging/Silkscreen labeling Native capacity Tape Drive compatibility
L9
xxxxxxL9
LTO Ultrium 9
18 TB
LTO9
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 L9. 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.
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-TS2280 Tape Drive, a stand-
alone LTO7 tape drives, a stand-alone LTO8 tape drive, earlier LTO8 tape drive firmware, earlier TS2280 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.
Because standard read/write media are incompatible with the WORM feature, a specially formatted WORM tape cartridge is required.
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
Because standard read/write media are incompatible with the WORM feature, a specially formatted WORM tape cartridge is required.
. 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. Ultrium 8 WORM cartridges are burgundy and silvery gray. 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
36
IBM TS22xx - TS2290, TS2280, and TS2270
