Types Of Tape Cartridges; Recommendations For Data Cartridge Usage - IBM 7226 Manual

Note: The IBM cleaning cartridge is designed to be used for 50 cleanings. Once a cleaning cartridge has been used to its
maximum number of uses, the cartridge is considered expired. When the cleaning cartridge has been used 50 times,
discard the cleaning cartridge. The LTO tape drive will detect, and automatically eject, an expired cartridge. Using the
cleaning cartridge more than 50 times can cause debris to be deposited on the drive head, which may result in errors or
inferior data quality.
3. Grasp the cleaning cartridge by the outer edges, with the label end out and the write protect switch to the left.
4. Slide the cartridge into the opening on the front of the LTO tape drive, as indicated by the arrow on the cartridge. Push
the cartridge fully into the drive until the cartridge is engaged and the activity LED flashes green.
After the cleaning cartridge has been inserted, the remainder of the cleaning process is automatic. The tape drive:
1. Loads the cleaning cartridge into the tape drive.
2. Cleans the drive using the cleaning tape. Cleaning time may take from 30 seconds to 3 minutes, depending upon the
number of times that the cleaning cartridge has been used.
3. Unloads the cleaning cartridge when the cleaning operation is complete.

Types of Tape Cartridges

Data Cartridge
Use the Ultrium-5 1.5 TB data cartridge to save or restore programs or data.
Test Cartridge
Use the specially labeled LTO Diagnostic Test cartridge to run the host system diagnostics. (For information about
running diagnostics, refer to your host manuals.) The Diagnostic Test cartridge should not be used to save or restore
customer programs or data.
WORM Cartridge
Use the specially labeled LTO Write Once, Read Many (WORM) cartridge for certain records retention and data security
applications. The LTO Ultrium generation 3, 4 and 5 drives enable WORM support when a WORM tape cartridge is
loaded into the drive. Because standard read/write media are incompatible with the WORM feature, a specially
formatted WORM tape cartridge is required. Each WORM cartridge has a unique, worldwide cartridge identifier
(WWCID), which comprises the unique CM chip serial number and the unique tape media serial number.
Cleaning Cartridge
Use the specially labeled LTO cleaning cartridge to clean the LTO tape drive. For instructions about how to clean the LTO
tape drive, see
Attention: Use of other than the IBM LTO cleaning cartridge can damage your LTO tape drive and may void your
warranty.
IBM also offers other LTO cartridges for smaller capacity storage and testing. Use the specially labeled LTO Diagnostic Test
cartridge to run the system diagnostics. (For information about running diagnostics, refer to your host system manuals.) The
Diagnostic Test cartridge should not be used to save or restore customer programs or data. To order additional cartridges, refer
to Ordering Tape Cartridges.

Recommendations for Data Cartridge Usage

The following list describes recommended guidelines that will help to protect your data and prolong the life of your tape
cartridges and the LTO tape drive:
Use only IBM media cartridges.
Remove the tape cartridge from the drive when the drive is not in use.
Back up and then discard any tape cartridge that repeatedly produces error messages. (The error information is in the
System Error Log.)
On the data cartridge, do not open the door that covers the tape. The door protects the tape from dirt, dust, and
damage.
Do not touch the tape. Any substance transferred to the tape by touching could cause loss of data.
To avoid problems with loading and unloading, use only one label on a cartridge. Multiple or poorly placed labels can
clog the drive load mechanism.
Do not use poor-quality tape cartridges. They can cause excessive read or write errors, and may damage the tape drive.
110 IBM 7226 Model 1U3 Storage Device Enclosure
Cleaning the Tape Drive.