IBM TS4300 3555, User Manual

Page: 187 / 262

Table 45. Cartridge data capacity and recording formats (continued)
Type
Native Data Capacity Recording Format
LTO6 2.5 TB (6.25 TB at 2.5:1
compression)
Reads and writes data on 2176
tracks, 16 tracks at a time.
See “Minimum firmware levels for common library features” on page iii for minimum firmware levels for
LTO 8 drives and media.
The first set of tracks is written from near the beginning of the tape to near 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 in Figure 86 on page 156) protects the tape from contamination when the cartridge
is out of the drive. The tape is attached to a leader pin ( 3 in Figure 86 on page 156) 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 in Figure 86 on page 156) prevents data from being written to the tape
cartridge. For more information, see “Write-Protect switch” on page 162.
The label area (
5 in Figure 86 on page 156) provides a location to place a label. See “Labeling tape
cartridges” on page 160.
The insertion guide (
6 in Figure 86 on page 156) is a large, notched area that prevents the cartridge from
being inserted incorrectly.
Table 46. Nominal cartridge life: Load/unload cycles
Type
Load/Unload Cycles
LTO8 20,000 (20k)
LTO M8 20,000 (20k)
LTO7 20,000 (20k)
LTO6 20,000 (20k)
Cartridge Read/Write compatibility
Table 47. Data cartridge compatibility with LTO tape drive
IBM LTO
Tape Drive
IBM LTO Data Cartridges
LTO 8 LTO M8 LTO 7 LTO 6 LTO 5 LTO 4
LTO8 tape
drive
Read/Write Read/Write Read/Write
LTO7 tape
drive
Read/Write Read/Write Read only
LTO6 tape
drive
Read/Write Read/Write Read only
See “Minimum firmware levels for common library features” on page iii for minimum firmware levels for LTO 8
drives and media.
LTO Type M Cartridge (M8)
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 LTO 7 format. Such a
Appendix B. LTO media 157