Review the following information to learn about general guidelines for tape drive media usage.
For specific information related to the media that can be used with the tape drive you have, see Type of tape device.
Select the appropriate information from this list:
Types of cartridges
Most tape devices are shipped with the following media cartridges.
- Data Cartridge
- Use the data cartridge to save or restore programs or data.
- Test Cartridge
- Use the specially labeled test cartridge to run the AIX® system diagnostics (for information about running diagnostics, refer to your AIX documentation). Do not use the test cartridge to save or restore customer programs or data.
- Cleaning Cartridge
- Use the specially labeled cleaning cartridge to clean the device. Attention: Use of other than the IBM® specified cleaning cartridge can damage your device and might void your warranty.
To order additional cartridges, refer to Ordering tape cartridges.
The following list describes recommended guidelines that will help to protect your data and prolong the life of your tape cartridges and the device:
- Use only the tape cartridge specified for your Type of tape device
- Remove the tape cartridge from the drive when the drive is not in use.
- Back up and then discard any tape cartridge that repeatedly produces error messages (the error information is in the System Error Log).
- On the data cartridge, do not open the door that covers the tape. The door protects the tape from dirt, dust, and damage.
- Do not touch the tape. Any substance transferred to the tape by touching could cause loss of data.
- To avoid problems with loading and unloading, use only one label on a cartridge. Multiple or poorly placed labels can clog the drive load mechanism.
- Do not use poor-quality tape cartridges. They can cause excessive read or write errors, and they might damage the tape drive.
- Discard any tape cartridges that are dropped, because the impact might damage the tape's internal mechanism.
- Make sure the environment is kept clean and constant. Do not operate in a dusty environment and always maintain a constant environment. A consistent storage and operating environment reduces media exposure to climatic stress.
- Use only the recommended cleaning cartridge to clean the tape drive. Use of other than recommended cleaning cartridges can damage your drive and might void the warranty.
- Printers and copiers can produce paper dust and toner dust. Locate the tape unit away from these items. High traffic areas near hallways and doors can also produce excess dust and dirt.
- Record all important information on the tape label. Information, such as the model and number of the system or tape drive, the date, the density, any error statistics, and include a log number. Also note the operating environment and compression mode.
Prolonging head life
This new technology found in the tape device is read and write compatible with newer tape cartridges. Due to media characteristics, extended use of older tape cartridges might increase head wear on the drive. An indication of this head wear is an increase in soft (recoverable) errors. Using newer tape cartridges may have enhanced characteristics that can reduce drive head wear and maximize the overall advantages of the tape device.
Storage and shipping environments
Before using a tape cartridge, let it acclimatize to the operating environment by placing the cartridge in the operating environment for as long as it has been away from the environment or for 24 hours, whichever is less. Acclimatization is necessary for any data cartridge exposed to an environmental change in humidity or to temperature changes of 11°C (20°F) or more. To determine the appropriate operating environment, see Tape drive environment and use.
Retrieval of archived data can be performed on a tape unit that is clean and fully operational. Try to make the recovery environment the same as the operating environment. Allow tapes at least 24 hours to acclimatize to the environment of the tape unit.
The recommended environment for storage and shipment of cartridges is shown in Table 1.
| Environmental Factor | Storage | Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | 5°C to 32°C (41° to 90°F) |
-40 to 52°C (-40 to 125°F) |
| Relative Humidity (noncondensing) |
20 to 60% | 5 to 80% |
| Maximum Wet Bulb | 26°C (79°F) |
26°C (79°F) |
Tape cartridge storage
Tape drives record data using densities similar to hard disk drives. Because most computer systems are not located in a dust-free, climate-controlled environment, you must exercise special care when dealing with tape cartridges and tape drives. They must be treated as a valuable asset used to protect your business data.
Use the following guidelines for storing your tape cartridges:
- Keep temperature and humidity constant at the levels listed in Table 1.
- Always store tape cartridges in their protective cases. The storage case helps prevent damage from dust and physical misuse. When the tape cartridges are not in use or being stored, keep them in their storage cases and stand on edge in a designated storage location. Do not stack cartridges on the flat side or stack other items on top of the tape cartridges. Handle your tape cartridges with care to reduce archival problems.
- Keep protective cases for tape cartridges closed except when inserting or removing a cartridge. Contamination can build up and be transferred to the tape cartridge if the protective case is left open.
- Exercise stored tapes at least once every 12 months. Run the tape from Beginning of Data (BOD) to End of Data (EOD) and back to BOD at normal operating speeds. Exercise tapes stored in a warmer environment more frequently.
- Sunlight can damage the tape and the cartridge shell. Store tape cartridges out of the direct sunlight.
Operating in harsh environments
The device is suited to streaming operations, as opposed to multiple stop-and-start, random-search tape operations. When the tape is used for frequent stop-and-start operations, it is beneficial to still have as much streaming movement as possible. This can be accomplished by ensuring that any save or restore operation is the only active operation being performed.
Do not use any tape for archival purposes if it has been used outside of the ranges specified in Table 1 for an extended period of time. The magnetic and physical strength of the tape will have deteriorated as a result of its exposure to the environment. Do not store important data on such a tape; transfer the data to a newer tape for reliable archiving.
Ordering tape cartridges
All tape cartridges are not alike. The tape composition and length, and the construction of the cartridge itself can all affect the quality and capacity of the recording and the performance of your tape drive. A poor quality tape cartridge might appear to work adequately in your system, yet it can leave contamination in the tape path or impede the speed of the recording.
The length and composition of the tape, and the size, shape, and construction of the cartridge shell must all be considered when selecting the tape cartridge to be used with your system. IBM supports using only data and cleaning cartridges supplied by IBM. Data grade tape media is the only type of tape media that should be used for backup and data processing.
To order cartridges in the United States and Canada,
call 1-888-IBM-MEDIA or, on the internet, see 
www.storage.ibm.com/media/
To order cartridges in other locations, contact your local provider of IBM storage products.
The following tables list all available data cartridges for a specific type of cartridge:
| IBM Part Number | Type of Cartridge | Native (uncompressed) Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| 59H3465 | Data Cartridge DDS3 | 12GB |
| 59H4458 | Data Cartridge DDS4 | 20GB |
| 18P7912 | DAT 72 Data Cartridge | 36 GB |
| 59H4457 | 4-mm Test Cartridge | -- |
| 21F8763 | 4-mm Cleaning Cartridge | -- |
| Part Number | Type of Cartridge | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 35L1044 | 20 GB AME with SmartClean Data Cartridge | 75 m (246 ft) |
| 09L5323 | 40 GB AME with SmartClean Data Cartridge | 150 m (492 ft) |
| 18P6484 | 60 GB AME with SmartClean Data Cartridge | 225 m (738 ft) |
| 35L1409 | Cleaning Cartridge |
| Part Number | Type of Cartridge | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 24R2137 | 80/160 GB X23 VXA Data Cartridge | 230 m (754 ft) |
| 24R2136 | 40/80 GB X10* VXA Data Cartridge | 124m (406 ft) |
| 24R2134 | 20/40 GB X6* VXA Data Cartridge | 62 m (203 ft) |
| 24R2135 | VXA X6* Test Cartridge | 62 m (203 ft) |
| 24R2138 | VXA 20 X Cleaning Cartridge | – – |
Note: *X type media requires
a minimum microcode level of 2105.
|
||
| Part Number | Type of Cartridge | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 19P4876 | 80/160 GB V23 VXA Data Cartridge | 230 m (754 ft) |
| 24R2136 | 40/80 GB V10 VXA Data Cartridge | 124m (406 ft) |
| 19P4878 | 20/40 GB V6 VXA Data Cartridge | 62 m (203 ft) |
| 19P4879 | VXA V6 Test Cartridge | 62 m (203 ft) |
| 19P4880 | VXA 20 V Cleaning Cartridge | – – |
Note: V cartridges are the
original VXA cartridge
|
||
| Part Number | Type of Cartridge | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 08L9120 | 100/200GB LTO Ultrium 1 Data Cartridges | 610 m (2000 ft ) |
| 08L9870 | 200/400GB LTO Ultrium 2 Data Cartridges | 610 m (2000 ft ) |
| 24R0395 | LTO Gen-2 Test Tape | 610 m (2000 ft ) |
| 35L2086 | Universal Cleaning Tape | – – |