Dell PowerVault Tape Systems LTO Media Handbook Dell Engineering November 2015
Revisions Date Description Oct 2015 Initial release THIS WHITE PAPER IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND MAY CONTAIN TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS AND TECHNICAL INACCURACIES. THE CONTENT IS PROVIDED AS IS, WITHOUT EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND. © 2015 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this material in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. For more information, contact Dell.
Contents Revisions .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 2 Drives and Media ............................................................................
1 Introduction This document describes media compatibility, handling, and usage for all Dell PowerVault Linear Tape Open (LTO) drives.
2 Drives and Media Table 1 through Table 5 list the basic characteristics of Dell PowerVault LTO tape drives 2.
2.
2.3 PowerVault LTO-3 Tape Drives Table 3 2.
PowerVault LTO-4-120 (IBM) PowerVault LTO-4-120 HH (IBM) • Ultrium-4 label • Ultrium-4 label • Full height • Half height • Internal/External drive • Internal/External drive Supported Systems For a list of supported tape devices, firmware, and driver versions, see the Dell PowerVault Tape Compatibility Matrix. Description 2.
110T LTO2- L (Certance) PowerVault 110T LTO2- L (Tandberg) PowerVault 110T LTO 3 (IBM PowerVault LTO3-060 (IBM) PowerVault LTO3-080 (IBM) PowerVault LTO4-120 PowerVault LTO5-140 PowerVault LTO6 PowerVault LTO7 Ultrium-1 Media Ultrium-2 Media Ultrium-3 Media Ultrium-4 Media Ultrium-5 Media Ultrium-6 Media Ultrium7 Media BC-RW P X X X X X BC-R BC-RW P X X X X BC-R BC-RW P X X X X BC-R BC-RW P X X X X X BC-R BC-RW P X X X X X BC-R BC-RW P X X X X X BC-R BC-
LTO-2- L (Tandberg) PowerVault 110T LTO 3 (IBM) PowerVault LTO3060 (IBM) PowerVault LTO3080 (IBM) PowerVault LTO4120 PowerVault LTO5140 PowerVault LTO6 PowerVault LTO7 LTO-3 WORM Media LTO-4 WORM Media LTO-5 WORM Media LTO-6 WORM Media LTO-7 WORM Media P X X X X P X X X X P X X X Xs BC-RW P X X X BC-R BC-RW P X X BC-R BC-RW BC-R P BC-RW X P X-Not Supported BC-R- Backward Compatible-Read Only BC-RW- Backward Compatible- Read/Write P-Primary 10 Dell PowerVault Tape Systems
3 Media Color Schemes Table 8 describes the media color schemes and labels for PowerVault LTO tapes.
4 Invalid Media Symptoms PowerVault LTO tape drive with invalid media displays the following symptoms: • • • • • 12 Cleaning light turns on. Media light flashes or stays on. Tape ejects. Backup software reports invalid media. Error code 7 is displayed on drives with a seven segment display.
5 Cartridge Memory Tape drives require information about the tape cartridge being used. For LTO tape cartridges, this information is stored in a small chip within the tape and is referred to as the Cartridge Memory (CM). CM is a nonvolatile memory that responds through a passive radio frequency interface.
6 Migrating LTO Media Known issues for media migration from one manufacturer to another are fixed through the drive firmware. Use the latest available firmware for the drive, regardless of which vendor/OEM product is being used to create media. This ensures optimal performance for migrating tape between different drive vendors. Note : LTO technology is built on an open standard. Migrating media from one drive manufacturer to another is fully supported.
7 WORM Media WORM media stands for Write Once, Read Many. This means once data is written to a piece of WORM media, the data on the tape cannot be changed or overwritten. WORM media can be appended to if data is already present on the tape. The media also stores unique identifiers which allow the drive to determine whether or not the media has been tampered with. WORM media offers a method of data retention for compliance laws such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
8 Cleaning Media Note: LTO drives in general do not require frequent cleaning. 8.1 Label Designations on LTO Cleaning Media For the last several years, LTO drives have been using UCC (universal cleaning cartridges) as cleaning tapes. Prior to the universal or for use with all designation of cleaning media, vendor specific cleaning media was used. This document provides information on only universal or for use with all cleaning media.
Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-4 (IBM) Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-4-120HH (IBM) Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-5-140 (IBM) Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-6 Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-7 Table 11 LTO2 LTO3 LTO4 See Table 11 50 See Table 11 50 See Table 12 50 See Table 12 50 See Table 12 50 Cleaning Interval Characteristics MM (xE6) FFP equiv. 0.7 19 1.1 38 1 22 Terms MM (xe6) FFP equiv. TB equiv.
• Clean Requested (also know as Clean Periodic TapeAlert 15 Clean Requested is based on usage, but not media motion hours. Two criteria are used, Data sets processed or Meters of tape pulled across the head. If another cartridge is inserted after Clean Requested is asserted, the drive continues to operate. However, the ‘C’ on the Single Character Display (SCD) of the drive persists until the drive is cleaned or power cycled.
Drive Type Cleaning with a Good Tape • • Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-2 Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-2-L (Certance) Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-2-L (Tandberg) Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-3 Dell PowerVault LTO3-060 19 Dell PowerVault Tape Systems | A05 Cleaning with an Expired Tape Status light on solid amber. Ejects tape when complete. No seven segment display indicator. • Activity light blinks green. • Ejects tape shorty after. • • • • • • • • • • Pre firmware 53Y3: No seven segment display indicator.
Drive Type Cleaning with a Good Tape Cleaning with an Expired Tape • Dell PowerVault LTO3-080 LTO4-120 LTO4-120HH LTO5-140 LTO6 LTO7 Activity light blinks green. • Ejects tape shorty after. No seven segment display Indicator. • Activity light blinks green. • Ejects tape shorty after removed, all light indicators turn off. • • • Seven segment display shows 7. Activity light blinks amber. Ejects tape shortly after inserting. When tape is completely removed, all light indicators turn off.
9 Stuck Tapes A stuck tape can result from a dropped or damaged media. Different drives react differently when damaged media is inserted. Some may eject the tape, while others may be stuck permanently with the drive and require the drive to be returned. Most LTO drives have the capability to reset the drive in the event of a stuck tape or other non-responsive drive issues. Table 13 describes how to reset your PowerVault LTO tape drive. Note : A drive reset may or may not help remove a stuck tape.
Drive Type Dell PowerVault 110T LTO4-120 Dell PowerVault 110T LTO4120HH Dell PowerVault 110T LTO5-140 Dell PowerVault 110T LTO6 Dell PowerVault 110T LTO7 Device Reset Procedure 1 Press and hold the Eject button for more than 10 seconds. 2 Release the Eject button. 3 Press Eject again to eject tape. 1 Press and hold the Eject button for more than 10 seconds. 2 Release the Eject button. 3 Press Eject again to eject tape. 1 Press and hold the Eject button for more than 10 seconds.
10 Erasing a Pre-Written LTO Tape Caution: Do not bulk erase Ultrium format cartridges. This destroys pre-recorded servo information and renders the cartridge unusable. The erase feature in the backup software is the preferred method for erasing an LTO tape. To prevent erasing a tape, slide the write-protect switch to the right. Note: Write-protection does not prevent a cartridge from being erased by bulk-erasure or degaussing. Figure 1 1.
11 Media Handling 11.1 Media Description Figure 2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. LTO CM label area write-protect switch insertion guide cartridge door leader pin Figure 3 11.2 LTO Ultrium Data Cartridge Correct Leader Pin Location Perform a Thorough Inspection Inspect the cartridge packaging to check for any rough handling. • 24 When inspecting a cartridge, open only the cartridge door. Do not open any other part of the cartridge case.
• • • 11.3 them destroys the usefulness of the cartridge. While the door is open, check that the leader pin is properly seated. If the cartridge has been dropped, it is likely that the pin is dislodged inside the cartridge. It is recommended that you open the door and check if the pin is properly seated before each use. See Figure 1-4. Inspect the cartridge for damage before using or storing it.
11.3.1 Figure 5 Split Seam on LTO Tape Figure 6 Media Inspection - Good Tape Ensure Proper Packaging While Shipping Tapes • • • • • • • • 26 When you ship a cartridge, ship it in its original or better packaging. Always ship or store a cartridge in the vertical orientation and inside the jewel case to prevent damage to the tape edge. Use only a recommended shipping container that securely holds the cartridge in its jewel case during transportation.
11.3.2 Cartridge Storage Conditions • • • • • • Before you use a cartridge, let it acclimate to the normal operating environment for 24 hours. Ensure that all surfaces of the cartridge are dry before use. Do not expose the cartridge to moisture or direct sunlight. Always ship or store a cartridge in the vertical orientation and inside a jewel case to prevent damage to the tape edge.
12 Media Do’s and Don’ts 12.1 Do’s • • • • • • • • 12.2 Don’ts • • • • • • • • • • 28 Store cartridges in their protective cases. Handle cartridges with great care. Store the cartridge vertically. Align cartridges so the grooves interlock. Inspect cartridges prior to each use. Unload cartridges prior to turning off the drive. Allow a 24-hour conditioning period to the operating temperature and humidity before using new or stored cartridges. Eject media before turning off the drive.
