Users Guide
Figure 86. LTO Data and WORM tape cartridges
Data security on WORM media
Certain built-in security measures help ensure that the data that is written on a WORM cartridge do not
become compromised. For example
• The format of a WORM Tape Cartridge is unlike that of standard read/write media. This unique format
prevents a drive that lacks WORM-capable rmware from writing on a WORM tape cartridge. For LTO 8,
native data capacity is 12000 GB and compressed data capacity is 30000 GB.
• When the drive senses a WORM cartridge, the rmware prohibits the changing or altering of user data
that is already written on the tape. The rmware tracks the last appendable point on the tape.
WORM media errors
The following conditions cause WORM media errors to occur.
• Information in the servo manufacturer's word (SMW) on the tape must match information from the
cartridge memory (CM) module in the cartridge. If it does not match, a media Error Code 7 posts on the
drive's single-character display (SCD).
• Inserting a WORM tape cartridge into a drive that is not compatible with WORM causes the cartridge to
be treated as an unsupported medium. The drive reports a media Error Code 7.
Cleaning cartridge
With each library, a specially labeled Cleaning Cartridge is required to clean the drive head. The drive
itself determines when a head must be cleaned. It alerts you by lighting the Clean Drive (amber LED) on
the Operator Panel. Dell recommends the use of the Auto Clean function on this library. When enabled,
the library retrieves the cleaning cartridge, inserts it in the drive that needs cleaning, cleans the drive,
then returns the cleaning cartridge to its home slot. To clean the head manually, insert a cleaning
cartridge into the tape load compartment. The drive completes the cleaning automatically. When the
cleaning is nished, the drive ejects the cartridge, and the library turns off the Clean Drive LED. See
“Methods of cleaning drives” on page 70.
Note: The drive automatically ejects an expired cleaning cartridge.
The Dell Cleaning Cartridges are valid for 50 uses.
Labeling tape cartridges
The bar code reader is a part of the library accessor. The bar code reader reads each cartridge bar code
label that identies the types of cartridge magazines and tape drive that is installed in the library. It also
provides inventory feedback to the host application, Operator Panel, and Management GUI. The library
stores the customized inventory data in memory. Library rmware supports a 6 or 8-character volume
serial number (VOLSER) on the bar code label on the tape cartridge. Having a bar code label on each tape
cartridge enables the bar code reader to identify the cartridge quickly, thus speeding up inventory time.
Make it a practice to use bar code labels on your tape cartridges.
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Dell EMC ML3 Tape Library: User's Guide