DellTM LTO Media Handbook Version 2.1 Last Modified 1/4/06 Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, PowerEdge, and PowerVault are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
Dell LTO Media Handbook Page 2
Table of Contents 1 List of Tables............................................................................................ 4 2 List of Figures .......................................................................................... 5 3 Introduction.............................................................................................. 6 4 Dell PowerVault 110T LTO Drives and Media ........................................ 7 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.
1 List of Tables Table 1 - LTO Drive Types and Basic Characteristics ................................................................................... 7 Table 2 - LTO-2 and LTO-2-L Drive Types and Basic Characteristics ......................................................... 8 Table 3 - LTO-3 Drive Types and Basic Characteristics ................................................................................ 9 Table 4 - Media Type per Drive................................................................
2 List of Figures Figure 1- Dell PowerVault 110T LTO............................................................................................................ 7 Figure 2- Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-1 ........................................................................................................ 7 Figure 3- Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-1 ........................................................................................................ 7 Figure 4 - Dell PowerVault 110T LTO2.........................
3 Introduction This document describes media compatibility, handling, and usage for all DellTM PowerVaultTM 110T LTO Drives.
4 Dell PowerVault 110T LTO Drives and Media 4.1 Drive Types and Basic Characteristics – Dell LTO-1 Drives Figure 1- Dell PowerVault 110T LTO Capacity (native/compressed) Native Speed Primary Media Physical Device Description Figure 2- Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-1 100 GB/200 GB • • • Used in: Figure 3- Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-1 • • • • 15 MB/s Ultrium-1 Single air intake along bottom.
4.
4.
4.4 Media types used in Dell PowerVault 110T LTO drives Part No.
own media, all certified media vendors are supported for use in Dell products. Dell recommends the use of Dell branded media in all Dell PowerVault LTO drives.
5 Invalid Media Symptoms Symptoms of using invalid media as reported by the drive: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6 Cartridge Memory (CM) 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 itself referred to as Cartridge Memory (CM). This chip contains nonvolatile memory which responds through a passive radio frequency interface. In addition to the type of cartridge, the CM holds a selection of important information which the drive uses to setup and calibrate.
7 Migrating LTO media Known issues for media migration from one manufacturer to another have been fixed through drive firmware. Regardless of what vendor or OEM product is being used to create media, always use the latest available firmware for the drive. This will ensure optimal performance for migrating tape between different drive vendors. Note: Linear Tape-Open (LTO) technology is built on an open standard. Migrating media from one drive manufacturer to another is fully supported.
8 WORM Media LTO-3 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.
9 Cleaning Note: LTO drives in general do not require frequent cleaning. 9.1 Label designations on LTO cleaning media. For the last several years, cleaning tapes for LTO drives have been UCC (universal cleaning cartridges). Prior to the universal or for use with all designation of cleaning media, vendor specific cleaning media was used. For the purposes of this document only universal or for use with all cleaning media will be discussed.
Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-2 Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-3 Not Supported 50 C on 7 segment display 40 full tape passes = 16TB or 8TB with verify enabled * 50 C on 7 segment display Table 5 -Cleaning Characteristics Per Drive * The Dell PowerVault LTO-3 tape drive has enabled period (maintenance) cleaning on the drive by default. Do not be alarmed if you are seeing cleaning light come on more frequently than you are used to seeing on Dell PowerVault LTO-2.
This can happen for 3 reasons. • A head clog • A hardware failure on the drive • Bad or marginal media. (see Troubleshooting Cleaning/Read/Write errors) Note-1: Run Dell Online PowerEdgeTM Diagnostics to determine media or hardware related failures.
10 Stuck Tapes There is a good possibility that a stuck tape was generated by dropped or damaged media. Different drives will react differently if damaged media is inserted. Some may eject a tape and some tapes may become permanently stuck in the drive and require the drive to be returned. Most LTO drives have a capability to reset the drive in the event of a stuck tape or other non-responsive drive issues. Attempting this drive reset may or may not help in removing a stuck tape.
11 Diagnostics 11.1 Troubleshooting Cleaning/Read/Write errors If Clean, Read, or Write errors are reported by backup software try alternate pieces of media before replacing tape drives. To troubleshoot errors with tape drives, you need to determine the root of the problem. Tape related problems can come from two primary sources; Media and Hardware. Dell Online PowerEdge Diagnostics can be used under either Microsoft® Windows® or Linux to narrow down the likely cause.
Tests included in Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics are the following: 1. The media can be used to determine if errors are related to tape hardware or certain pieces of media. • The media test can be run in full mode which will fill 80 percent of the tape. • The media test can also be run in quick mode that will fill 20 percent of the tape. Note: These tests could take between 2 to 5 hours. Read, Write, space, rewind, and verify will be run to exercise the drive and media. 2.
occurs, clean the drive and rerun the test with a different piece of known good media to make sure it is not a media related issue. If the issue persists contact Dell Technical Support.
12 Erasing a prewritten LTO Tape Notice: Write-protection will not prevent a cartridge from being erased by bulk-erasure or degaussing. Do not bulk erase Ultrium format cartridges. This will destroy pre-recorded servo information and render the cartridge unusable. The erase feature in backup software is the preferred method for erasing an LTO tape. To prevent erasing a tape set the write protect switch.
13 Media Handling 13.1 Media description Figure 15- LTO Ultrium Data Cartridge 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. LTO cartridge memory Label area Write-protect switch Insertion guide Cartridge door Leader pin Figure 16- Correct leader pin location 13.2 Perform a Thorough Inspection • Inspect the cartridge's packaging to determine potential rough handling. • When inspecting a cartridge, open only the cartridge door. Do not open any other part of the cartridge case.
• Inspect the rear of the cartridge (the part that you load first into the tape load compartment) and ensure that there are no gaps in the seam of the cartridge case. If there are gaps in the seam, the leader pin may be dislodged. See Figure 18. • If you suspect that the cartridge has been mishandled but it appears useable, copy any data onto a good cartridge immediately for possible data recovery. Discard the mishandled cartridge. 13.3 Handle the Cartridge Carefully • Do not drop the cartridge.
Figure 18- Split seam on LTO tape Figure 19- Media Inspection 2- good tape 13.4 Ensure Proper Packaging if shipping tapes • 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. This will help to avoid tape edge damage. • Use only a recommended shipping container that securely holds the cartridge in its jewel case during transportation.
o Place the cartridge in polyethylene plastic wrap or bags to protect it from dust, moisture, and other contaminants. o Pack the cartridge snugly. Do not allow it to move around. o Double-box the cartridge (place it inside a box, then place that box inside the shipping box) and add padding between the two boxes 13.5 Cartridge Storage Conditions Provide Proper Acclimation and Environmental Conditions • Before you use a cartridge, let it acclimate to the normal operating environment for 24 hours.
13.7 Media Do’s and Do Not’s Do Store cartridges in their protective cases Handle cartridges with great care Store cartridges vertically Align cartridges so the grooves interlock Inspect cartridges prior to each use Unload cartridges prior to powering down the drive Allow a 24-hour conditioning period to the operating temperature and humidity before using new or stored cartridges.