Cartridges And Volsers Compatible With The Lto Tape Drives - Dell EMC ML3 User Manual

A proper bar code label includes the media ID in the last 2 characters of the bar code. The library does
not load an incompatible cartridge, based on the bar code media ID, into a tape drive. For example, the
library does not load a cartridge that is labeled as LTO 3 into an LTO 6 tape drive. This action saves the
time that is needed to load the cartridge and have the tape drive reject it.
A bar code label contains:
v A volume serial number (VOLSER) that is human-readable.
v A bar code that the library can read.
Note: In a library environment, it is highly recommended to use bar code labels for performance and
easily identifiable reasons. This library requires bar code labels.
Your host software might need to track the following information by using the associated bar code.
v Date of format or initialization
v Tape's media pool
v Data residing on the tape
v Age of the backup
v Errors that are encountered while the tape is used (to determine whether the tape is faulty).
Important: Misusing and misunderstanding bar code technology can result in backup and restore
failures. Use only high-quality labels. Self-printed labels are not recommended as they are often a source
of bar code reading issues.
When read by a library's bar code reader, the bar code identifies the cartridge's VOLSER to the library.
The bar code also tells the library whether the cartridge is a data cartridge or cleaning cartridge. The bar
code includes the two-character media-type identifier Lx, where x equals 6, 7, or 8 for data cartridges or
W, X, or Y for WORM cartridges. L identifies the cartridge as an LTO cartridge, and the number or letter
represents the generation of cartridge for that cartridge type. Figure 88 on page 147 shows a sample bar
code label for the LTO Tape Cartridge.
Tape cartridges are ordered with the labels included or with custom labels.
Table 48. Cartridges and VOLSERs compatible with the LTO Tape Drives
Cartridges
LTO 8 Data Cartridge
LTO 8 WORM Cartridge
LTO 7 Data Cartridge
LTO 7 WORM Cartridge
LTO 6 Data Cartridge
LTO 6 WORM Cartridge
LTO Cleaning Cartridge
To determine the complete specifications of the bar code and the bar code label, contact your sales
representative.
LTO tape cartridges have a recessed area on the face of the cartridge next to the write-protect switch. Use
this area for attaching the adhesive-backed bar code label. Place the label only in the recessed label area
(see 5 in Figure 86 on page 143). A label that extends outside of the recessed area can cause loading
problems in the drive.
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Dell EMC ML3 Tape Library: User's Guide
VOLSER
xxxxxxL8
xxxxxxLY
xxxxxxL7
xxxxxxLX
xxxxxxL6
xxxxxxLW
CLNxxxLx