Data Security On Worm Media; Worm Media Errors; Cleaning Cartridge; Labeling Tape Cartridges - Dell EMC ML3 User Manual

Figure 87. LTO Data and WORM tape cartridges

Data security on WORM media

Certain built-in security measures help ensure that the data that is written on a WORM cartridge do not
become compromised. For example
v The format of a WORM Tape Cartridge is unlike that of standard read/write media. This unique
format prevents a drive that lacks WORM-capable firmware from writing on a WORM tape cartridge.
For LTO 8, native data capacity is 12000 GB and compressed data capacity is 30000 GB.
v When the drive senses a WORM cartridge, the firmware prohibits the changing or altering of user data
that is already written on the tape. The firmware tracks the last appendable point on the tape.

WORM media errors

The following conditions cause WORM media errors to occur.
v Information in the servo manufacturer's word (SMW) on the tape must match information from the
cartridge memory (CM) module in the cartridge. If it does not match, a media Error Code 7 posts on
the drive's single-character display (SCD).
v Inserting a WORM tape cartridge into a drive that is not compatible with WORM causes the cartridge
to be treated as an unsupported medium. The drive reports a media Error Code 7.

Cleaning cartridge

With each library, a specially labeled Cleaning Cartridge is required to clean the drive head. The drive
itself determines when a head must be cleaned. It alerts you by lighting the Clean Drive (amber LED) on
the Operator Panel. Dell recommends the use of the Auto Clean function on this library. When enabled,
the library retrieves the cleaning cartridge that is contained in the library, inserts it in the drive that needs
cleaning, cleans the drive, then returns the cleaning cartridge to its home slot. To clean the head
manually, insert a cleaning cartridge into the tape load compartment The drive completes the cleaning
automatically. When the cleaning is finished, the drive ejects the cartridge, and the library turns off the
Clean Drive LED. See "Methods of cleaning drives" on page 69.
Note: The drive automatically ejects an expired cleaning cartridge.
The Dell Cleaning Cartridges are valid for 50 uses.

Labeling tape cartridges

The device contains a bar code reader that reads the tape labels and stores the inventory data in memory.
The device then provides the inventory information to the host application, Operator Panel, and
Management GUI. Having a bar code label on each tape cartridge enables the bar code reader to identify
the cartridge quickly, thus speeding up inventory time. Make it a practice to use bar code labels on your
tape cartridges.
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Appendix B. LTO media