Write Once, Read Many (Worm) Cartridges; Worm Media; Data Security On Worm Media; Worm Media Errors - IBM TS2900 Setup, Operator, And Service Manual

If an uninitialized M8 cartridge is not initialized in a tape library that supports uninitialized M8
cartridges, then the cartridge might inadvertently and silently be initialized at the L7 density (that is, at a
6 TB native capacity) even if the bar code label states "M8". This action might occur with the usage of
non-TS2900 Tape Autoloaders, stand-alone LTO7 tape drives, stand-alone LTO8 tape drives, earlier LTO8
tape drive firmware, earlier TS2900 Tape Autoloader firmware, or earlier ISV software that does not
recognize that M8 cartridges must be mounted only in LTO8 tape drives. M8 cartridges that are
inadvertently initialized at the L7 density can continue to be read and written in LTO7 and LTO8 tape
drives. However, they remain limited to the 6 TB native capacity.
TS2900 Tape Autoloader firmware version 0080 added support for uninitialized M8 cartridges, in addition
to support for pre-initialized M8 cartridges. In any tape product with M8 cartridges, the minimum LTO8
tape drive firmware version is HB82.

Write once, read many (WORM) cartridges

Certain Records retention and data security applications require a write once, read many (WORM)
method for storing data on tape. The LTO Ultrium 4 and later drives enable WORM support when a
WORM tape cartridge is loaded into the drive.

WORM media

Because standard read/write media are incompatible with the WORM feature, a specially formatted
WORM tape cartridge (see Figure 114) is required. Each WORM cartridge has a unique, worldwide
cartridge identifier (WWCID), which consists of the unique CM chip serial number and the unique tape
media serial number. For more information about how to choose and purchase the appropriate WORM
tape cartridges for your tape drive, see "Ordering media supplies" on page 125.
Figure 114. Ultrium 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 does
not become compromised, for example:
v The format of an Ultrium 4 and later WORM tape cartridge is unlike 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 12 TB and compressed data capacity is 30 TB.
v When the drive senses a WORM cartridge, the firmware prohibits user data from being changed or
altered. The firmware tracks the last point on the tape that can be appended.

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).
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IBM TS2900 Tape Autoloader: Setup, Operator, and Service Guide Machine Type 3572