Tape Unit Descriptions - IBM i series Handbook

Internal Magnetic Media
Important
An Alternate IPL device must be attached to an IOA adapter card that is controlled by the
base IOP in the system. Any other tape drive can be an Alternate Installation Device.
Alternate Installation Device support allows you to perform installation and recovery
procedures using a combination of devices. Prior to V4R1, these types of activities could only
be performed using devices attached to the first system bus. The first system bus connects to
the service processor IOP. Typically this is where the optical device or tape devices used for
installations are attached. On OS/400 V4 systems, you can use a combination of devices that
are attached on the first system bus and on additional buses. The alternate installation device
is not attached to the first system bus.
On the Model 270 and Model 8xx V4R5 systems, the Alternate IPL device is attached to an
I/O adapter that is controlled by the base IOP in the system.
If you use the alternate installation function, the system uses existing support (a device on
the first system bus) to install or recover enough of the Licensed Internal Code required to
perform an IPL with an IPL-type D. When using the alternate installation device support, the
system continues the operation using media in the alternate installation device. This function
supports installation and recovery from tape media, such as SAVSYS tapes or distribution
tapes that you created, which contain Licensed Internal Code and may contain the operating
system, licensed programs, and data.
See the Backup and Recovery Manual , SC41-5304, for more information.

Tape Unit Descriptions

4 GB ¼-Inch Internal Cartridge Tape Unit Technology
This tape 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 units. For read and write compatibility, refer
to internal tape read/write compatibilities table on page 339.
13 GB ¼-Inch Internal Cartridge Tape Unit Technology (Supported but not
orderable)
The 13 GB tape unit provides 16 GB capacity native and 32 GB capacity compressed with a
data transfer rate of 1.5 MB/s (native) and 3 MB/s (with compression) using a 1500-foot
cartridge tape. The #6485 also provides 13 GB capacity native and 26 GB capacity
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iSeries Handbook