Users Guide

A bar code label contains:
• A volume serial number (VOLSER) that is human-readable.
• A bar code that the library can read.
Note: In a library environment, it is highly recommended to use bar code labels for performance and
easily identiable reasons. This library requires bar code labels.
Your host software might need to track the following information by using the associated bar code.
• Date of format or initialization
• Tape's media pool
• Data residing on the tape
• Age of the backup
• Errors that are encountered while the tape is used (to determine whether the tape is faulty).
Important: Misusing and misunderstanding bar code technology can result in backup and restore
failures. Use only high-quality labels. Self-printed labels are not recommended as they are often a source
of bar code reading issues.
When read by a library's bar code reader, the bar code identies the cartridge's VOLSER to the library. The
bar code also tells the library whether the cartridge is a data cartridge or cleaning cartridge. The bar code
includes the two-character media-type identier:
• L or M identies the cartridge as an LTO cartridge.
• 6, 7, or 8 indicates that the cartridge is the sixth, seventh, or eighth generation of its type. Only LTO 6 or
later cartridges are supported by the Dell
™
EMC ML3 tape library.
• W indicates that the cartridge is a generation 6 WORM cartridge. X indicates that the cartridge is a
generation 7 WORM cartridge, and Y indicates that the cartridge is a generation 8 WORM cartridge.
Figure 87 on page 162
shows a sample bar code label for the LTO Tape Cartridge.
Tape cartridges are ordered with the labels included or with custom labels. The bar code usage for tape
libraries must meet predened specications. They include (but are not limited to)
• Six or eight (the default) uppercase alphanumeric characters, where the last 2 characters must be L6,
L7, M8, or L8 (LW, LX, or LY for WORM cartridges).
• Label and printing to be non-glossy.
• Nominal narrow line or space width of 0.423 mm (0.017 in.)
• Wide to narrow ratio of 2.75:1.
• Minimum bar length of 11.1 mm (0.44 in.)
Table 49. Cartridges and VOLSERs compatible with the LTO Tape Drives
Cartridges VOLSER
LTO8 Data Cartridge xxxxxxL8
LTO8 WORM Cartridge xxxxxxLY
LTO M8 Cartridge xxxxxxM8
LTO7 Data Cartridge xxxxxxL7
LTO7 WORM Cartridge xxxxxxLX
LTO6 Data Cartridge xxxxxxL6
LTO6 WORM Cartridge xxxxxxLW
LTO Cleaning Cartridge CLNxxxLx
Appendix C. LTO media 161