Storage And Shipping Environments; Tape Cartridge Storage; Operating In Harsh Environments - IBM 7226 Manual

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 acclimate to the operating environment by placing the cartridge in the environment for as
long as it has been away from the environment or for 24 hours, whichever is less.
Retrieval of archived data should 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 acclimate to environment of the tape
unit.
Acclimation is necessary for any data cartridge exposed to a different humidity environment or to temperature changes of
11°C (20°F) or more.
The recommended environment for storage and shipment of data cartridges is shown in
Table 1. Recommended Environment for Data Cartridges
Environmental Factor
Temperature
Relative Humidity (noncondensing) 20 to 60%
Maximum Wet Bulb

Tape Cartridge Storage

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
need to be treated as a valuable asset used to protect your business data.
Use the following guidelines for storing your tape cartridges:
Keep temperature and humidity constant, at the levels listed in
Always store tape cartridges their protective cases. The storage case helps prevent damage from dust and physical
misuse. When the tape cartridges are not in use or being stored, keep them in their storage cases and stand on edge in a
designated storage location. Do not stack cartridges on the flat side or stack other items on top of the tape cartridges.
Handle your tape cartridges with care to reduce archival problems.
Keep protective cases for tape cartridges closed except when inserting or removing a cartridge. Contamination can build
up and be transferred to the tape cartridge if the protective case is left open.
Exercise stored tapes at least once every 12 months. Run the tape from Beginning of Data (BOD) to End of Data (EOD)
and back to BOD at normal operating speeds. Exercise tapes stored in a warmer environment more frequently.
Sunlight can damage the tape and the cartridge shell. Store tape cartridges out of the direct sunlight.

Operating in Harsh Environments

Attention: Operation outside of the recommended environment can result in possible loss of data or failure of the drive.
The device is suited to streaming operations, as opposed to multiple stop-and-start, random-search tape operations. When the
tape is used for frequent stop-and-start operations, it is beneficial to still have as much streaming movement as possible. This
can be accomplished by ensuring that any save or restore operation is the only active operation being performed.
Storage Shipping
5 to 32°C −40 to 52°C
(41 to 90°F) (−40 to 125°F)
5 to 80%
26°C 26°C
(79°F) (79°F)
Table 1.
Table 1.
IBM 7226 Model 1U3 Storage Device Enclosure 85