Dell™ PowerVault™ DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0 w w w. d e l l . c o m | s u p p o r t . d e l l .
Notes, Notices, and Cautions NOTE: A NOTE indicates important information that helps you make better use of your computer. NOTICE: A NOTICE indicates either potential damage to hardware or loss of data and tells you how to avoid the problem. CAUTION: A CAUTION indicates a potential for property damage, personal injury, or death. ____________________ Information in this document is subject to change without notice. © 2005 Dell Inc. All rights reserved.
Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Drives and Media Invalid Media Symptoms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reusing Type IV Media Formatted by DLT7000 or DLT8000 in VS80/DLT1 Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . DLT1 and VS80 Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VS160 Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Introduction This document describes the media compatibility, handling, and usage for the Dell™ PowerVault™ 110T DLT, SDLT 320/220, DLT1/VS80, and VS160. Table 1-1 shows the basic characteristics of the drives. NOTE: This document will not cover DAT72, DDS4, LTO, and LTO2 tape technologies. Drives and Media Table 1-1. DLT Drive Types and Basic Characteristics Capacity (native/compressed) Native Speed Primary Media Figure 1-1. DLT1 40 GB/80 GB 10.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com Table 1-1. DLT Drive Types and Basic Characteristics Figure 1-5. SDLT320 Table 1-2. Capacity (native/compressed) Native Speed Primary Media 160 GB/320 GB 57 GB/hr SDLT tape I Primary Media Type Per Drive Part No DLT4000 DLT7000 DLT8000 DLT1 Figure 1-6. Type IV Media 3400444 VS80 VS160 SDLT220 SDLT320 Primary Primary Primary Primary Primary Read only* Read only Read only Figure 1-7. VS1 Media 3410117 No No No No No Primary No No Figure 1-8.
Invalid Media Symptoms When a wrong media is inserted into a drive: • Cleaning light comes on • Media light may flash or stay on • Tape ejects Reusing Type IV Media Formatted by DLT7000 or DLT8000 in VS80/DLT1 Drives Type IV media previously recorded by a DLT7000 or DLT8000 are not read compatible with DLT 4000, DLT1, or VS80 drives.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com Table 1-3.
Cleaning Considerations 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 troubleshooting. Although DLT 4000/7000/8000/DLT1 and VS80 drives use the same Type IV data media, they do not use the same cleaning tape. Table 1-4. Cleaning Media Types Cleaning Media Physical Description Figure 1-9.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com Table 1-4. Cleaning Media Types Cleaning Media Physical Description Characteristics Figure 1-12. SDLT Cleaning Tape Light gray in color and designated as "SDLT Cleaning Tape." Specifically designed for 340-3349 SDLT220 and SDLT320 drives. Table 1-5. Part No Life Span Tracking 20 times. Tape can track usage. On last use, the cleaning light will go off and the drive will not eject cartridge. User must manually eject cartridge and discard it from future use.
When an expired cleaning tape is used in a: • DLT4000/DLT7000 drive, the tape is ejected and the cleaning light stays on. • SDLT220/SDLT320 drive, the tape is not ejected and the cleaning light goes out the 20th time (last) the tape is used. • DLT1/VS80 and VS160 drives, there is no method to determine that the cleaning tape is expired except to manually note usage on the check box label. It is the customer's responsibility to record usage of the cleaning tape and discard after 20 uses.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com Write Protect Switch — Prevents overwrite or erasure of data. You can change the position of the write protect switch at any time. Figure 1-14. DLT Tape and Super DLT Tape Media Write protected - slide toward label. Orange indicator displayed. Figure 1-15. DLT Tape VS1 and DLT VS160 Media Write protected indicator on top points to closed lock. Media Care Guidelines DLTtape cartridges are engineered to be reliable, robust, and durable.
• Use the slide-in labels provided. Do not use adhesive labels or Post-it notes, and do not write on the cartridge. Figure 1-16. Use Slide-in Label • Write in pen not pencil. Using a pencil can introduce contaminants to the tape path. • Use caution so loose labels in storage container don't stick to bottom of cartridge, covering the hub. • Never touch the tape or tape leader. Dust and oils from your skin contaminate the tape and affect performance.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com Cartridge Inspection • Case: Inspect the case for cracks, chips, or signs of damage. • Cartridge: Inspect the exterior of the cartridge for chips, cracks, dents, or missing screws. Gently shake the cartridge. Listen for rattling or loose pieces. • Cartridge Door: Ensure that the door is moveable and that the spring is present. • Write Protect Switch: Move the switch. It should snap into write-protected mode and writeenabled mode.
Figure 1-19. • Super DLTtape Leader Buckle Reel Locks: Check that both reel locks are visible. Verify operation using a small flat-blade screwdriver. The reel locks should spring back when released. If the reel locks are not visible, do not use the cartridge. Figure 1-20. Reel Locks Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com • Cartridge Hub: Confirm That the spring-loaded hub on the bottom of the cartridge is properly tensioned and centered. Press the hub; it will spring back if operating properly. Figure 1-21. Cartridge Hub The following graphic shows how the SDLT tape latches with the cartridge leader. Figure 1-22. SDLT Tape Latch The following graphic shows how the loop on the Type IV media is engaged by the cartridge leader on the DLT/VS80 drives.
Figure 1-23. Type IV Media Engagement Cartridge Damage Examples Figure 1-24. DLT Cartridge — Leader missing (swallowed cartridge leader or broken tape) Figure 1-25. DLT Cartridge — Broken leader loop (not always this obvious) Figure 1-26. Media wrapped too loosely (improper tension) Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com Figure 1-27. SDLT Cartridge — Bent media buckle SDLT Media When inspecting an SDLT media cartridge, refer to the following diagrams to check the leader buckles on the media. Figure 1-28 shows a good cartridge. Note the plastic hooks resting on the cartridge rails and bar parallel to the cartridge. Figure 1-28. Good SDLT Leader Buckles bar hooks Tests have shown that dropping the media can cause an excessive amount of stress to the spring-loaded cartridge hub on impact.
Figure 1-29. SDLT Bent-In Leader Buckles bar hooks Media with bent-in leader buckles have been known to cause the tape drive to drop the leader when the drive tries to load the media into the take-up reel. Cartridge Storage When storing cartridge, avoid moisture and direct sunlight. Exposure to moisture or sunlight can deform or ruin media. Table 1-6.
www.dell.com | support.dell.com Media Do's and Do Not's The following should be done when handling media. • 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 to the operating temperature and humidity before using new or stored cartridges.
