Users Guide

TL1000 Tape Autoloader firmware version 0080 added support for uninitialized M8 cartridges, in
addition to support for pre-initialized M8 cartridges. In any tape product with M8 cartridges, the
minimum LTO8 tape drive firmware version is HB82.
Write once, read many (WORM) cartridges
Certain Records retention and data security applications require a write once, read many (WORM)
method for storing data on tape. The LTO Ultrium 4 and later drives 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 109) is required. Each WORM cartridge has a unique, worldwide
cartridge identifier (WWCID), which consists of the unique CM chip serial number and the unique tape
media serial number.
Data security on WORM media
Certain built-in security measures help ensure that the data that is written on a WORM cartridge does
not become compromised, for example:
v The format of an Ultrium 4 and later WORM tape cartridge is unlike standard read/write media. This
unique format prevents a drive that lacks WORM-capable firmware from writing on a WORM tape
cartridge. For LTO 8, native data capacity is 12 TB and compressed data capacity is 30 TB.
v When the drive senses a WORM cartridge, the firmware prohibits user data from being changed or
altered. The firmware tracks the last point on the tape that can be appended.
WORM media errors
The following conditions cause WORM media errors to occur:
v Information in the servo manufacturer's word (SMW) on the tape must match information from the
cartridge memory (CM) module in the cartridge. If it does not match, a media error code 7 posts on
the drive's single-character display (SCD).
v Inserting a WORM tape cartridge into a drive that is not compatible with WORM causes the cartridge
to be treated as an unsupported medium. The drive reports a media error code 7. Upgrading the drive
firmware to the correct code level resolves the problem.
Requirements for WORM capability
To use the WORM capability of your LTO Ultrium drive, you must use a compatible WORM tape
cartridge. See “Cartridge compatibility” on page 99 for cartridge and VOLSER compatibility.
Figure 109. Ultrium data and WORM tape cartridges
100 Dell PowerVault TL1000 Tape Autoloader: User's Guide