Supported Tape Cartridges; Library Functions; Random And Sequential Logical Library Modes - IBM TS4300 3555 User Manual

Supported tape cartridges

This library supports LTO tape cartridges.
Within the library, the supported LTO tape drives use the following cartridge types:
• IBM LTO8 Data Cartridge
• IBM LTO8 WORM Data Cartridge
• IBM LTO M8 Data Cartridge
• IBM LTO7 Data Cartridge
• IBM LTO7 WORM Data Cartridge
• IBM LTO6 Data Cartridge
• IBM LTO6 WORM Data Cartridge
• IBM LTO5 Data Cartridge
• IBM LTO5 WORM Data Cartridge
• IBM LTO4 Data Cartridge
• IBM LTO4 WORM Data Cartridge
• IBM Universal LTO Cleaning Cartridge
For information, see Appendix B, "LTO media," on page 156.

Library functions

The library provides many specific functions, such as random or sequential operating mode, encryption,
library sharing, path failover, and alerts and logging.

Random and Sequential Logical Library modes

A Logical Library can be configured in one of two modes: Random and Sequential.
Random Mode
Random Mode is intended to be used by host applications that support SCSI media changer devices.
Random Mode is the default.
In Random mode,
• The host application chooses the cartridges that are moved to the drive.
• I/O slots provide the flexibility for the user to add and remove cartridges and the host application is
automatically notified of these changes.
• Multiple drives can be assigned to provide parallel processing data operations and redundancy in case
of failure.
Sequential Mode
Sequential Mode is intended to be used by host applications that aren't supporting SCSI media changer
devices but need to get another cartridge loaded if the current cartridge is full.
In Sequential Mode,
• The library predefines the sequential order that the cartridges are moved to the drive.
• I/O slots are hidden as they aren't assignable to a logical library with sequential mode enabled.
• Only one drive can be assigned to a logical library with sequential mode enabled.
• There's no control path drive and no media changer device is configured to the host server.
Options to consider when Sequential Mode is chosen:
16 IBM TS4300 Tape Library Machine Type 3555: User's Guide