Cartridge Read/Write Compatibility; Lto Type M Cartridge (M8) - IBM TS4300 3555 User Manual

Table 45. Cartridge data capacity and recording formats (continued)
Type
LTO6
See "Minimum firmware levels for common library features" on page iii for minimum firmware levels for
LTO 8 drives and media.
The first set of tracks is written from near the beginning of the tape to near the end of the tape. The head
then repositions to the next set of tracks for the return pass. This process continues until all tracks are
written and the cartridge is full, or until all data is written.
The cartridge door (
is out of the drive. The tape is attached to a leader pin (
When the cartridge is inserted into the drive, a threading mechanism pulls the pin (and tape) out of the
cartridge, across the drive head, and onto a non-removable take-up reel. The head can then read or write
data from or to the tape.
The write-protect switch (
cartridge. For more information, see "Write-Protect switch" on page 162.
The label area ( 5
cartridges" on page 160.
The insertion guide (
being inserted incorrectly.
Table 46. Nominal cartridge life: Load/unload cycles
Type
LTO8
LTO M8
LTO7
LTO6

Cartridge Read/Write compatibility

Table 47. Data cartridge compatibility with LTO tape drive
IBM LTO
Tape Drive
LTO 8
LTO8 tape Read/Write
drive
LTO7 tape
drive
LTO6 tape
drive
See "Minimum firmware levels for common library features" on page iii for minimum firmware levels for LTO 8
drives and media.

LTO Type M Cartridge (M8)

The LTO Program introduced a new capability with LTO8 tape drives: the ability to write 9 TB (native) on a
brand new LTO Ultrium 7 cartridge instead of 6 TB (native) as specified by the LTO 7 format. Such a
Native Data Capacity
2.5 TB (6.25 TB at 2.5:1
compression)
2 in Figure 86 on page 156) protects the tape from contamination when the cartridge
4 in Figure 86 on page 156) prevents data from being written to the tape
in Figure 86 on page 156) provides a location to place a label. See "Labeling tape
6 in Figure 86 on page 156) is a large, notched area that prevents the cartridge from
LTO M8
Read/Write
3 in Figure 86 on page 156) behind the door.
Load/Unload Cycles
20,000 (20k)
20,000 (20k)
20,000 (20k)
20,000 (20k)
IBM LTO Data Cartridges
LTO 7 LTO 6
Read/Write
Read/Write Read/Write
Read/Write
Recording Format
Reads and writes data on 2176
tracks, 16 tracks at a time.
LTO 5
Read only
Read/Write Read only
Appendix B. LTO media 157
LTO 4