Use The Correct Media; Data Cartridges; Cleaning Cartridges - HP StorageWorks Ultrium 232i Getting Started Manual

Use the correct media

For best performance we recommend HP branded media. Order online at:
www.hp.com/go/storagemedia/ultrium .

Data cartridges

HP StorageWorks Ultrium tape drives use Ultrium tape cartridges. These are single-reel
cartridges that match your drive's format and are optimized for high capacity, throughput and
reliability. Compatible media can be recognized by the Ultrium logo, which is the same as the
logo on the front of your drive. Do not use other format cartridges in your tape drive and do
not use Ultrium cartridges in other format tape drives.
For optimum performance always use a data cartridge that matches the specification of your
tape drive, (see Table 2). A lower specification will have a lower transfer speed and may not
support write activities; a higher specification will not support read or write. We recommend:
• Ultrium 400 GB* tape cartridges (
• Ultrium 200 GB* tape cartridges (
* All values assume 2:1 compression.
Type of Drive
Ultrium 448 drives
Ultrium 232 drives
table 2: Ultrium data cartridge and HP StorageWorks Ultrium tape drive compatibility
Write-protecting cartridges
If you want to protect the data on a cartridge from being altered or overwritten, you can write-
protect the cartridge.
Always remove the cartridge from the tape drive before you change the write protection.
• To write-protect a cartridge, push the switch to the right to prevent any data recording on
the cartridge. Note the padlock on the tab that indicates that the cartridge is protected.
• To write-enable a cartridge, push the switch to the left to allow data recording on the
cartridge. Figure11 illustrates the location of the write-protect tab.
Write-protection will not prevent a cartridge being erased by bulk-erasure or degaussing. Do
not bulk erase Ultrium format cartridges. This will destroy pre-recorded servo information and
make the cartridge unusable.

Cleaning cartridges

You must use Ultrium cleaning cartridges with HP StorageWorks Ultrium tape drives, as other
cleaning cartridges will not load and run. We recommend the HP Ultrium universal cleaning
for use with Ultrium 448 tape drives.
C7972A)
for use with Ultrium 232 tape drives.
C7971A)
*
Ultrium 200 GB
Write and Read
Write and Read
*
Ultrium 400 GB
Write and Read
No
*
Ultrium 800 GB
No
No
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