Tape Device Technology - IBM eserver i5 Handbook

5486IntStor.fm

Tape device technology

4 GB ¼-inch Internal Cartridge Tape Device Technology
The 4 GB tape technology may be used for save/restore, alternate IPL, program
distribution, migration, and ¼-inch cartridge tape exchange. Backward read/write
capability to previous generations of QIC drives protects the customers
investment in QIC technology.
This tape is not compatible with System/36 tape devices. For read and write
compatibility, refer to the internal tape read/write compatibilities table 391.
16 GB ¼-inch Internal Cartridge Tape Device Technology
The 16 GB tape technology can be used for save/restore, alternate IPL, program
distribution, migration, and ¼-inch cartridge tape exchange. Backward read/write
capability to the previous MLR1-S format and backward read capability to the last
three QIC formats protects the customer's investment in QIC technology.
It provides 16 GB capacity native and 32 GB capacity compressed with a data
transfer rate of 1.5 MB per second (native) and 3 MB per second (with
compression) using a 1500-foot cartridge tape.
It also is capable of 13 GB capacity native and 26 GB capacity compressed with
a data transfer rate of 1.5 MB per second (native) and 3 MB per second (with
compression) using a 1200-foot cartridge tape.
However, the tape compression used by the #6381/#6481 2.5 GB and #4482,
#4582, #6382, and #6482 4 GB tape devices is not compatible with the
compaction on the #4483, #4583, #6383, and #6483 16 GB. The #6385/#6485
uncompacted or uncompressed tapes are compatible within each device's format
limitations.
This tape is not compatible with System/36 tape devices. For read and write
compatibility, refer to the internal tape specifications table 390.
25 GB ¼-inch Internal Cartridge Tape Device Technology
The 25 GB tape technology can be used for save/restore, alternate IPL, program
distribution, migration, and ¼-inch cartridge tape exchange.
Tape tensioning control improvements in the tape device eliminate the need for
an auto-retension pass during the data cartridge load sequence. This is a major
time saving since the auto-retension pass on earlier QIC tape devices can take
up to five minutes. The tape device retensions the data cartridge only when a
loss of tension is detected. For typical operating conditions, this is expected to
happen infrequently.
IBM Eserver i5 and iSeries System Handbook
392
Draft Document for Review October 18, 2004