When working with tape cartridges, there are certain considerations that should
be taken into account. For example, all tape cartridges in the library, including
cleaning cartridges, must have a barcode label. In addition, when loading your
library, you should be aware of whether or not your tape cartridges are write-protected.
This section discusses these items in general terms. For information about
what type of tape cartridges are supported for each drive type and how to care
for your tape cartridges, see Specifications.
Selecting Approved Media Types
To ensure that the library conforms with Dell requirements for reliability,
use only Dell-supplied tape cartridges.
Other certified media may be used, but it may not meet the standards of reliability
established by Dell.
Using WORM Cartridges
LTO-3 media are available in Write Once Read Many (WORM) format. Data stored
on WORM tapes cannot be erased or altered. The barcode applied to a WORM cartridge
uses the designation "LT". This ensures that the library manages the
tape appropriately. For more information about barcodes, refer to Using
Barcode Labels.
Although you can add to a WORM tape that has sufficient remaining space for
the data you are appending, you will receive an error message if the amount
of data you want to append exceeds the tape's free space amount.
WORM tapes cannot be used to run diagnostics tests.
Write-Protecting Tape Cartridges
All tape cartridges have a write-protect switch that prevents data from being accidentally erased or overwritten. Before inserting a tape cartridge into a library, ensure the write-protect switch is in the correct position.
Most media indicate that the tape is write-protected with an orange or red
tab. Other indications include an opened or closed lock.
Using Barcode Labels
All tape cartridges in the library must have a barcode label that is machine-readable
and identifies the volume serial number. A barcode must use only uppercase letters
A to Z and/or numeric values 0 to 9. The library currently supports Code 39
type barcode labels.
For information on how to configure the length of barcodes read by the scanner,
see Configuring
Your Library.
Barcode Label Requirements
Barcode labels must adhere to the following requirements:
Number of digits: 5-16 (based on mode)
Background reflection: at least 25 percent
Print contrast: at least 75 percent
Ratio: at least 2.2
Module: 250 mm
Print tolerance: ± 57 mm
Length of the rest zones: 5.25 mm ± 0.25 mm.
No black marks should be present in the intermediate spaces or rest zones.
No white areas should be present on the bars.
Bars should read in a uniform direction. Non-uniform reading directions
are feasible in principle, but have a detrimental effect on performance.
Quality Testing
You will have the best scanning results if you use Dell-supplied barcode labels.
Dell supports only Dell-supplied barcode labels.
If you want to print your own barcode labels, ensure the labels meet the requirements listed here. (You can ensure and document barcode compliance by using the Ergilaser 3000 High Density barcode measuring device, manufactured by the Laetus Company.)
Applying the Label
All barcode scanning labels should be applied to the front of the cartridge
in the upper right corner of the tape cartridge recess (when oriented vertically).
Make sure that the media identifier on the label matches the media type. The
media identifier is the last two extra characters on the right side of the label.
The label shown in Figure 1 is an example of an L1 media
identifier for an LTO-1 media type. When using LTO-2 media the media identifier
extension would be L2. For LTO-3 media the media identifier extension would
be L3. The library uses the media identifier on the label to determine if the
media is compatible with the tape drive. A drive mount will be prevented by
the library if the media type, as determined by the media identifier, is incompatible
with the target tape drive. As an example LTO-2 media improperly labeled with
an L3 media identifier extension could not be loaded into the LTO-2 drive.
Depending on the media type, barcode labels are either stickers that are adhered
to the front of the tape cartridge or cutouts that you slide into an indentation
on the front of the cartridge. To aid in readability, apply the labels so that
the numbers are at the top of the label.
Peel off the label and place it on the cartridge.
Verify that the label is oriented so that the numbers appear right-side
up and above the barcode.
Figure 1 shows the label application on a piece of LTO-1
media.
Figure 1. Barcode label
Barcode Labels in a Mixed Mode Environment
When operating a library with a mix of LTO-2 and LTO-3 tape drives, ensure
that the tape media inside the library has the correct barcode labels applied
to each piece of media. The barcode labels must be applied as follows:
Labels ending in "L1" should be applied to LTO-1 media
Labels ending in "L2" should be applied to LTO-2 media
Labels ending in "L3" should be applied to LTO-3 media
Labels ending in "LT" should be applied to WORM media
