HP Storage Linear Tape File System (LTFS) Linux and Mac User Guide

7 Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I get HP LTFS?
A: All application downloads and documentation are available from the website at:http://
www.hp.com/go/ltfs.
Q: What are the minimum system requirements?
A: Any server that fulfills the needs of the supported configurations detailed in Supported
configurations (page 5).
Q: Does HP LTFS support DDS/DAT devices?
A: No. Only LTO-5 and LTO-6 drives are supported.
Q: Does HP LTFS support non-HP devices?
A: Although the application may recognize and work with LTO drives from other manufacturers,
HP is only able to support use with HP LTO-5 and LTO-6 drives.
Q: Why does HP LTFS not work with my LTO-4 or earlier drives?
A: HP LTFS relies on a drive feature called partitioning, which was added to the LTO-5 format. It
is not part of the LTO-4 or earlier tape formats and they cannot be used.
Q: Can I use LTO-4 media in my LTO-5 or LTO-6 drive?
A: LTO-5 drives can load, read and write LTO-4 media, and LTO-6 drives can load and read (but
not write) LTO-4 media. However, the LTO-4 format does not support partitioning, so LTO-4 media
cannot be used with HP LTFS.
Q: Can I use WORM media with HP LTFS?
A: No, WORM media cannot be partitioned, and so is not usable with HP LTFS.
Q: Can I uninstall HP LTFS?
A: Yes.
Linux: Delete the four executable files (ltfs, mkltfs, ltfsck, unltfs) from /usr/local/
bin. Delete the ltfs library files /usr/local/lib/libltfs* and /usr/local/lib/ltfs/
*. Delete the ltfs support files /usr/local/etc/ltfs* and /usr/local/share/ltfs/ltfs.
Mac OS X: Delete the tree under /Library/Frameworks/LTFS.framework and the four ltfs
symbolic links in /usr/local/bin (ltfs, mkltfs, ltfsck, unltfs). To delete the ICU
package as well, delete the tree under/Library/Frameworks/ICU.framework.
Q: Where do I go if I have a problem?
A: For most common issues, see Troubleshooting (page 16). If this does not address the issue, call
HP support.
Q: Does HP LTFS replace my existing backup software?
A: In most cases HP recommends that you continue to use your existing backup application. HP
LTFS provides a good method of storing and transporting large files but is not generally a direct
replacement for a backup application.
Q: Is source code available for HP LTFS?
A: Yes, full source code is released under the terms of the LGPLv2.1 and can be downloaded from
www.hp.com/go/ltfs. Customers who choose to download and build their own versions of the HP
LTFS application are not supported.
18 Frequently asked questions