DellTM DLT, VS and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.3 Last Modified 10/10/05 Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden. Trademarks used in this text: Dell, the DELL logo, PowerEdge, and PowerVault are trademarks of Dell Inc.; Post-it is a registered trademark of 3M. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Dell DLT, VS and SDLT Media Handbook Page 2
Table of Contents List of Tables ....................................................................................................... 4 List of Figures ..................................................................................................... 5 1 Revisions and Ownership Information................................................... 6 Revision History ........................................................................................................................................
List of Tables Table 1 DLT Drive Types and Basic Characteristics .......................................................................................8 Table 2 Primary Media Type per Drive............................................................................................................8 Table 3 Type IV, VS1, and SDLT1 Media Read/Write Compatibility ..........................................................10 Table 4 Cleaning Media Compatibility ...................................................
List of Figures Figure 1 DLT1 ..................................................................................................................................................8 Figure 2 VS80 ...................................................................................................................................................8 Figure 3 VS160 .................................................................................................................................................
1 Revisions and Ownership Information Revision History Rev. 0.1 2.1 2.2 Date 10/22/04 02/07/2005 09/22/2005 Distribution Dell Dell Dell 2.3 10/10/2005 Dell Dell DLT, VS and SDLT Media Handbook Major Changes Original version Formatted Figures and added SDLT Media handling section. Changed DLTIV Damaged section pictures, added new text to DLTIV Drives and Media section Created new Media Labeling section. Updated part numbers.
2 Introduction This document describes the media compatibility, handling and usage for the Dell™ PowerVault™ 110T DLT, SDLT 320/220, DLT1/VS80 and VS160. Table 1 shows the basic characteristics of the drives. This document does not cover DAT72, DDS4, LTO, LTO2, and LTO3 Tape technologies.
3 Drives and Media Figure 2 VS80 Figure 1 DLT1 Capacity (native/compressed) Native Speed Primary Media Figure 3 VS160 Figure 4 SDLT220 Figure 5 SDLT320 40GB/80GB 40GB/80GB 80GB/160GB 110GB/220GB 160GB/320GB 10.8GB/hr DLT Type IV 10.8 GB/hr DLT Type IV 28.8GB/hr VS1 Tape 39GB/hr SDLTtape I 57GB/hr SDLTtape I Table 1 DLT Drive Types and Basic Characteristics Part No.
Invalid Media Symptoms - what happens when the wrong media is inserted into a drive • Cleaning light comes on • Media light flashes or stays on • Tape ejects Reusing Type IV Media Formatted by DLT7000 or DLT8000 in VS80/DLT1 Drives • • • • By default, Type IV media previously recorded by a DLT7000 or DLT8000 is not read compatible with DLT4000, DLT1, or VS80 drives Cartridge automatically ejects from the DLT1 and VS80 drive VS80/DLT1 drives can read Type IV media originally formatted in DLT7000 and DLT80
Table 3 Type IV, VS1, and SDLT1 Media Read/Write Compatibility __ Drives in BLUE read and write Type IV media only. See chart for format limitations. __ Drives in GREEN read and write SDLT media. They can also read Type IV media. __ Drives in RED read and write VS1 media. They can also read Type IV media written by VS or DLT1 drives. 1 - Orange alert/media light comes on. 2 - The orange alert/media light illuminates and the tape automatically ejects.
4 Cleaning Considerations Although DLT4000/7000/8000/DLT1 and VS80 drives use the same Type IV data media, they DO NOT all use the same cleaning tape. • • DLT tape drives do not need periodic cleaning. Only clean DLT tape drives when a request is made by backup software, when a cleaning indicator is seen on the drive, or when trouble-shooting.
Exhausted Cleaning Media If a cleaning tape is inserted into a DLT/SDLT drive and the light remains on after the tape ejects, this indicates that the cleaning tape may be exhausted. Refer to Table 5 to ensure that you are using the proper cleaning tape for your drive type. If so, try a new cleaning tape. Depending on the model drive, if the light does not extinguish when a new cleaning tape is inserted then there may be a hardware fault in the drive.
5 Media Handling Figure 13. Type IV Media Cartridge Cartridge Leader – Buckles with drive leader to pull media from cartridge. Two types, DLTtape cartridges (mylar loop) and Super DLTtape cartridges (plastic buckle with metal pin). Reel Locks – Prevent the media reel in the cartridge from spinning when the cartridge is not loaded in a drive and ensures proper tension of media is maintained. Cartridge Hub – Mechanical interconnect between the cartridge and the drive reel motor.
Write Protect Switch – The write protect switch prevents overwrite or erasure of data. When this switch is activated (orange is visible), data cannot be written to, appended to, or overwritten on the media.
Media Care Guidelines DLTtape cartridges are engineered to be reliable, robust, and durable. They are manufactured to withstand 1,000,000 passes, and have a shelf life of 30 years. For best results, follow these guidelines for media care: Protect cartridges from shock, vibration, moisture, and magnetic fields. Keep media in protective cases and store vertically when not in use. Use the sliding labels provided. Do not use adhesive labels or Post-it® notes, and do not write on the cartridge.
Proper Media Labeling Techniques Every new DLTtape IV, VS1, and SDLT cartridge comes with a sheet of labels in the storage box. These are non-adhesive labels and are designed to slide into the label slot on the front of the cartridge. To decrease the chance of a tape drive failure due to improper labeling, follow these guidelines for proper application of media labels: Never put a label or barcode anywhere but in the front label slot (see Figure 17 and 18 below).
Visual Media Inspection When to perform a visual inspection Best practices: Each time a tape is loaded or changed When a tape cartridge is dropped or subjected to a hard physical shock When a shipment of tapes shows any sign of shipping damage If the DLT, DLT VS or SDLT drive becomes inoperable after loading a tape ! If a drive error occurs, inspect the current and previous cartridge used in that drive. To Inspect a Cartridge Case: Inspect the case for cracks, chips or signs of damage.
Figure 20 Media Inspection 2 Figure 21 Media Inspection 3 Figure 22 Media Inspection 4 Dell DLT, VS and SDLT Media Handbook Page 18
Figure 23 SDLT Leader Latch Figure 24 DLT Type IV Leader Loop Dell DLT, VS and SDLT Media Handbook Page 19
DLTIV Cartridge Damage Examples Do not use any cartridge exhibiting the types of problems shown in these examples.
SDLT Media When inspecting an SDLT media cartridge refer to the following diagrams to check the leader buckles on the media. Figure 29 shows a good cartridge. Figure 29 Good SDLT Leader Buckles Tests have shown that dropping the media causes excessive stress to the spring-loaded cartridge hub. This stress can pull the tape media further into the media cartridge and bend the leader buckles. Refer to Figure 30 to identify bentin leader buckles.
Cartridge Storage Conditions Avoid moisture and direct sunlight Can deform cartridge and/or ruin media Normal storage (non-archival) Between 61º F and 90º F (16º C and 32º C) Between 20% and 80% relative humidity Maximum wet bulb temperature 78º F (26º C) Data archival storage (for one or more years) Between 64º F and 79º F (18º C and 26º C) Between 40% and 60% relative humidity Dell DLT, VS and SDLT Media Handbook Page 22
Media Do’s and Do Not’s Do Store cartridges in their protective cases Handle cartridges with great care Store cartridges vertically Align cartridges so the grooves interlock Inspect cartridges prior to each use Unload cartridges prior to powering down the drive Allow a 24-hour conditioning period before using new or stored cartridges. This allows tapes to reach the same operating temperature and humidity level as the drive.
