Dell PowerVault Tape Systems LTO Media Handbook
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates potential damage to hardware or loss of data if instructions are not followed. WARNING: A WARNING indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. _____________________ Information in this publication is subject to change without notice. © 2005–2011 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Contents Drives and Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 PowerVault LTO-1 Tape Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 PowerVault LTO-2 Tape Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 PowerVault LTO-3 Tape Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 PowerVault LTO-4 and LTO-5 Tape Drives Media Types for PowerVault LTO Tape Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Media Color Schemes . 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Perform a Thorough Inspection Handle the Cartridge Carefully . . . . . . . . . . 23 . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Ensure Proper Packaging While Shipping Tapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 . . . . . . . . . . . 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Cartridge Storage Conditions . Cartridge Life Media Do’s and Don’ts 4 Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
This document describes media compatibility, handling, and usage for all Dell PowerVault Linear Tape Open (LTO) drives. Drives and Media Table 1 through Table 4 list the basic characteristics of Dell PowerVault LTO tape drives. PowerVault LTO-1 Tape Drives Table 1.
Table 1. LTO-1 Drive Types and Basic Characteristics Physical Device Description PowerVault 110T LTO PowerVault 110T LTO-1 PowerVault 110T LTO-1 • Single air intake at the bottom of the drive • Ultrium-1 label on drive bezel Seven segment display • Split air intakes on both the bottom corners 110T LTO-1 is only sold on 132T drive sled.
PowerVault LTO-2 Tape Drives Table 2.
PowerVault LTO-3 Tape Drives Table 3.
PowerVault LTO-4 and LTO-5 Tape Drives Table 4.
Media Types for PowerVault LTO Tape Drives Table 5. Supported Media Types Per PowerVault 110 LTO Tape Drive Ultrium-1 Media Part No.
Media Color Schemes Table 6 describes the media color schemes and labels for PowerVault LTO tapes. Table 6. Media Color Schemes for PowerVault LTO Tapes Media Type Ultrium-1 Ultrium-2 Ultrium-3 Ultrium-4 Ultrium-5 LTO-3 WORM LTO-4 WORM LTO-5 WORM Media Media Media Media Media Media Media Media Color Black Scheme Label Purple BlueGray Green Red Blue-Gray on top and gray below. Green on top and gray below.
Invalid Media Symptoms PowerVault LTO tape drive with invalid media displays the following symptoms: • 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. Cartridge Memory Tape drives require information about the tape cartridge being used.
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.
Cleaning Media Usage and Drive Cleaning Lights NOTE: New Dell UCC tapes are labeled—For Use With All Ultrium 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Drives. Table 7. Characteristics For Cleaning Drives Physical Description Black tape labeled For Use With All Ultrium X drives, Ultrium 2, 3, 4, and 5, may or may not be written on the tape. Part Number 310-5084 Drive Type No. of tape Media Motion No.
Drive Type No. of tape Media Motion No. of uses How the cleaning hours before cleaning before cleaning requirement is light illuminates tape expires displayed Dell PowerVault See Table 8 110T LTO-4-120HH (IBM) 50 C on seven segment display Dell PowerVault 110T LTO-5-140 (IBM) 50 C on seven segment display Table 8. See Table 8 Cleaning Interval Characteristics MM (xE6) FFP equiv. TB equiv. MMH Short MMH Long LTO2 0.7 19 4 31 63 LTO3 1.
The cleaning light on an LTO drive turns on for the following reasons: • • A periodic maintenance threshold has exceeded. – If the tape drive has processed the number of equivalent FFP, including read and writes for the generation of the drive (this can be converted to TB) before reaching the maximum MM. – The drive has processed the maximum MM for the generation of the drive indicated (MMxE6) before reaching the maximum amount of data that can be processed. A high error rate has occurred.
Table 9. Characteristics of Expired LTO Cleaning Tape in Various Drives (continued) Drive Type Cleaning with a Good Tape Dell PowerVault No seven segment display 110T LTO-2 indicator. • Activity light blinks green. • Ejects tape shorty after. Cleaning with an Expired Tape • Pre firmware 53Y3: No seven segment display indicator. Activity light blinks green but ejects tape shortly after inserting.
Table 9. Characteristics of Expired LTO Cleaning Tape in Various Drives (continued) Drive Type Cleaning with a Good Tape Cleaning with an Expired Tape Dell PowerVault No seven segment display LTO3-060 indicator. • Cleaning light blinks amber. • Activity light blinks green. • Ejects tape shorty after. Dell PowerVault No seven segment display LTO3-080 indicator. • Activity light blinks green. • Ejects tape shorty after. Dell PowerVault No seven segment display LTO4-120 indicator.
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 10 describes how to reset your PowerVault LTO tape drive. NOTE: A drive reset may or may not help remove a stuck tape.
Table 10. Resetting Your PowerVault 110T LTO Tape Drive (continued) Drive Type Dell PowerVault 110T LTO3-060 (Tandberg) Device Reset Procedure 1 Press and hold the Eject button for six seconds. The drive enters service mode and all the LEDs flash slowly. 2 Press Eject twice. The Activity LED flashes fast. 3 Double-click the Eject button. Dell PowerVault 110T LTO3-080 (IBM) 1 Press and hold the Eject button for more than 10 seconds.
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.
Media Handling Media Description Figure 1-2. LTO Ultrium Data Cartridge 1 LTO CM 3 write-protect switch 5 cartridge door 2 label area 4 insertion guide 6 leader pin Figure 1-3.
Perform a Thorough Inspection • Inspect the cartridge packaging to check for any rough handling. • When inspecting a cartridge, open only the cartridge door. Do not open any other part of the cartridge case. The upper and lower parts of the case are held together with screws; separating 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.
Figure 1-4. Media Inspection - Bad Tape Figure 1-5 displays a tape that has been dropped and the cartridge seam has split. NOTE: Newer versions of LTO tapes have plastic-welded seams to prevent splitting; however, the tapes must be checked for leader pins that may have dropped inside the cassette housing. Figure 1-5.
Figure 1-6. Media Inspection - Good Tape Ensure Proper Packaging While 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 to prevent damage to the tape edge. • Use only a recommended shipping container that securely holds the cartridge in its jewel case during transportation. • Never ship a cartridge in a commercial shipping envelope. Always place it in a box or package.
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.
Media Do’s and Don’ts Do’s: • 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.
LTO Media Handbook
