The following figure shows the TS2250 Tape Drive.
Figure 4. TS2250 Tape Drive for Lenovo
The IBM LTO Ultrium Tape Drives include the following IBM LTO Ultrium features:
Dual-stage head actuator
The 16-channel actuator (LTO Ultrium 5 and 6) and 32-channel actuator (LTO Ultrium 7) provide
precision head alignment to help support higher track density and improved data integrity.
Independent tape loader and threader motors and positive pin retention
These technologies help improve the reliability of loading and unloading a cartridge and retain the
pin, even if tension is dropped. An independent loader motor that is coupled with the positive pin
retention causes the tape to thread with a higher level of reliability.
Graceful dynamic braking
If there is a power failure, reel motors maintain tension and gradually decelerate instead of stopping
abruptly, which helps reduce tape breakage, stretching, or loose tape wraps during a sudden power
outage.
Servo and track layout technology
There are 3584 data tracks in Ultrium 7, 2176 data tracks in Ultrium 6, and 1280 data tracks in
Ultrium 5. The high-bandwidth servo system features a low mass servo to help more effectively track
servo bands and improve data throughput with damaged media in less-than-optimal shock and
vibration environments.
Surface Control Guiding Mechanism
IBM patented Surface Control Guiding Mechanism guides the tape along the tape path in the Ultrium
7, 6, and 5 Tape Drives. This method uses the surface of the tape (rather than the edges) to control
tape motion. This configuration helps reduce tape damage (especially to the edges of the tape) and
tape debris, which comes from the damaged edges and can accumulate in the head area.
Giant Magneto Resistive (GMR) head design
IBM LTO Ultrium Tape Drives use GMR head technology with beveled contouring for reducing
striction and friction. This head design was demonstrated in enterprise tape products to help
minimize contact, edge damage, debris accumulation, and wear on the tape as it moves over the
read/write heads.
Digital speed matching
The LTO Ultrium Tape Drives perform dynamic speed matching to adjust the drive's native data rate
as closely as possible to the net host data rate (after data compressibility is factored out). This
matching helps reduce the number of backhitch repositions and improve throughput performance.
Robust drive components optimized for automation environments
To help enhance reliability and prolong the life of the drives, some of the most robust components
available are used, such as an all metal clutch, steel ball bearings in the loader, robust leader block
design, and a single circuit card.
IBM LTO Ultrium 7, 6, and 5 Tape Drives for Lenovo
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