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v Make sure the environment is kept clean and constant. Do not operate in a dusty environment and
always maintain a constant environment. A consistent storage and operating environment reduces
media exposure to climatic stress.
Use only the recommended cleaning cartridge to clean the tape drive. Use of other than recommended
v
cleaning cartridges can damage your drive and might void the warranty.
v Printers and copiers can produce paper dust and toner dust. Locate the tape unit away from these
items. High traffic areas near hallways and doors can also produce excess dust and dirt.
v Record all important information on the tape label. Information, such as the model and number of the
system or tape drive, the date, the density, any error statistics, and include a log number. Also note the
operating environment and compression mode.
Prolonging head life
New technology found in the tape device is read and write compatible with newer tape cartridges. Due
to media characteristics, extended use of older tape cartridges might increase head wear on the drive. An
indication of this head wear is an increase in soft (recoverable) errors. Using newer tape cartridges may
have enhanced characteristics that can reduce drive head wear and maximize the overall advantages of
the tape device.
Storage and shipping environments
Before using a tape cartridge, let it acclimatize to the operating environment by placing the cartridge in
the operating environment for as long as it has been away from the environment or for 24 hours,
whichever is less. Acclimatization is necessary for any data cartridge exposed to an environmental change
in humidity or to temperature changes of 11°C (20°F) or more. To determine the appropriate operating
environment, see Tape drive environment and use.
Retrieval of archived data can be performed on a tape unit that is clean and fully operational. Try to
make the recovery environment the same as the operating environment. Allow tapes at least 24 hours to
acclimatize to the environment of the tape unit.
The recommended environment for storage and shipment of cartridges is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Recommended environment for data cartridges
Environmental Factor
Temperature
Relative Humidity
(noncondensing)
Maximum Wet Bulb
Tape cartridge storage
Tape drives record data using densities similar to hard disk drives. Because most computer systems are
not located in a dust-free, climate-controlled environment, you must exercise special care when dealing
with tape cartridges and tape drives. They must be treated as a valuable asset used to protect your
business data.
Use the following guidelines for storing your tape cartridges:
v Keep temperature and humidity constant at the levels listed in Table 1.
6
Power Systems: Managing devices
Storage
5°C to 32°C
(41° to 90°F)
20 to 60%
26°C
(79°F)
Shipping
-40 to 52°C
(-40 to 125°F)
5 to 80%
26°C
(79°F)
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