Users Guide

Table 48. LTO Cartridge Types (continued)
Cartridge/Density
type
Bar code label Cartridge
Packaging/
Silkscreen
labeling
Native capacity Tape Drive
compatibility
M8 xxxxxxM8 LTO Ultrium 7 9 TB LTO 8
L7 xxxxxxL7 LTO Ultrium 7 6 TB LTO 7, LTO 8
From now on, these cartridges are referred to as 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 LTO 8 tape drive; LTO7 tape drives cannot read initialized M8 cartridges.
M8 cartridges can be purchased as either preinitialized (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 rst 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 rst 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 stand-alone
LTO7 tape drives, stand-alone LTO8 tape drives, earlier LTO8 tape drive rmware, earlier library rmware,
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.
Note: See “Minimum rmware levels for common library features” on page iii
for minimum rmware
levels for LTO M8 media.
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. LTO drives that are supported by the library enable WORM support when
a WORM tape cartridge is loaded into the drive.
WORM media
Because standard read/write media are incompatible with the WORM feature, a specially formatted
WORM tape cartridge (see Figure 86 on page 160) is required. Each WORM cartridge has a unique,
worldwide cartridge identier (WWCID), which comprises the unique CM chip serial number and the
unique tape media serial number. Ultrium WORM media are two-tone color and silvery gray.
Note: All Dell drive rmware allows the use of WORM media.
Appendix C. LTO media
159