Capacity Scaling; Worm (Write Once, Read Many) Cartridges - IBM TS4300 3555 User Manual

cartridge is called an LTO 7 initialized LTO Type M cartridge. These LTO Type M cartridges are identifiable
by using an automation bar code label that ends with the last 2 characters "M8".
Table 48. LTO Cartridge Types
Cartridge/Density
type
L8
M8
L7
From now on, these cartridges are referred to as L8, M8, and L7.
Only new, unused LTO Ultrium 7 cartridges can be initialized as M8 cartridges. When a cartridge is
initialized as M8, it cannot be changed back to L7. Initialized M8 cartridges can be written and read only in
an LTO 8 tape drive; LTO7 tape drives cannot read initialized M8 cartridges.
M8 cartridges can be purchased as either preinitialized (also referred to as "labeled and initialized") M8
data cartridges or uninitialized M8 data cartridges (M8 WORM cartridges are not supported). For either
option, the bar code label is included. However, the uninitialized M8 data cartridge must first be initialized
in tape libraries that support the automatic initialization of uninitialized M8 cartridges while under the
control of ISV applications that recognize the "M8" bar code label.
A tape cartridge is initialized when it is first loaded into a compatible tape drive and data is written by the
ISV application at the beginning of tape (sometimes referred to as "labeling a tape" or "writing from
BOT"). The tape drive then establishes the density of the media.
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-TS4300
tape libraries, stand-alone LTO7 tape drives, stand-alone LTO8 tape drives, earlier LTO8 tape drive
firmware, earlier TS4300 library 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.
TS4300 Tape Library firmware version 1.1.1.1-B00 added support for uninitialized M8 cartridges, in
addition to support for preinitialized M8 cartridges. In any tape product with M8 cartridges, the minimum
LTO8 tape drive firmware version is HB82.
Note: See "Minimum firmware levels for common library features" on page iii for minimum firmware
levels for LTO M8 media.

Capacity scaling

To control the capacity of the cartridge (for example, to obtain a faster seek time) issue the SCSI
command SET CAPACITY. For information about this command, see the IBM Ultrium Tape Drive SCSI
Reference.

WORM (Write Once, Read Many) cartridges

Certain records retention and data security applications require a Write Once, Read Many (WORM)
method for storing data on tape. LTO drives that are supported by the library enable WORM support when
a WORM tape cartridge is loaded into the drive.
158 IBM TS4300 Tape Library Machine Type 3555: User's Guide
Bar code label Cartridge
Packaging/
Silkscreen
labeling
xxxxxxL8 LTO Ultrium 8
xxxxxxM8 LTO Ultrium 7
xxxxxxL7 LTO Ultrium 7
Native capacity Tape Drive
compatibility
12 TB LTO 8
9 TB LTO 8
6 TB LTO 7, LTO 8