Dell PowerVault 132T LTO User manual

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Dell™ PowerVault™ DLT, VS, and
SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0

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.
Reproduction in any manner whatsoever without the written permission of Dell Inc. is strictly forbidden.
Trademarksusedinthistext:Dell,theDELLlogo,and PowerVaultaretrademarksofDellInc.;MicrosoftandWindows areregisteredtrademarks
of Microsoft Corporation.
Other trademarks and trade names may be used in this document to refer to either the entities claiming the marks and names or their products.
Dell Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in trademarks and trade names other than its own.
March 2005

1
Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Drives and Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Invalid Media Symptoms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Reusing Type IV Media Formatted by DLT7000 or DLT8000 in
VS80/DLT1 Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
DLT1 and VS80 Drives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
VS160 Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SDLT320 and SDLT220 Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Cleaning Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Exhausted Cleaning Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Media Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Cartridge Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Media Care Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2

Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0 3
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 10.8 GB/hr DLT (Digital Linear
Tape) Type IV
Figure 1-2. VS80 40 GB/80 GB 10.8 GB/hr DLT Type IV
Figure 1-3. VS160 80 GB/160 GB 28.8 GB/hr VS1 (Value Smart)
Tape
Figure 1-4. SDLT220 110 GB/220 GB 39 GB/hr SDLT (Super Digital
Linear Tape) tape I

4Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0
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* Can only read media if it was formatted with a VS80 or DLT1 drive
Figure 1-5. SDLT320 160 GB/320 GB 57 GB/hr SDLT tape I
Table 1-1. DLT Drive Types and Basic Characteristics
Capacity
(native/compressed)
Native Speed Primary Media
Table 1-2. Primary Media Type Per Drive
Part No DLT4000 DLT7000 DLT8000 DLT1 VS80 VS160 SDLT220 SDLT320
Figure 1-6. Type IV Media 340-
0444
Primary Primary Primary Primary Primary Read
only*Read only Read only
Figure 1-7. VS1 Media 341-
0117
No No No No No Primary No No
Figure 1-8. SDLT Media 340-
7844
No No No No No No Primary Primary

Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0 5
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.
Type IV media originally formatted in DLT7000 and DLT8000 drives can be used in a
VS80/DLT1 drive only if the media is first set to hardware compression level 20 GB and erased in
the DLT7000/8000 drive. Otherwise the media will be automatically ejected from the DLT1 and
VS80 drive.
DLT1 and VS80 Drives
DLT1 and VS80 drives use Type IV media to read and write.
DLT1 and VS80 drives can backward-read Type IV media created by DLT4000 only. They cannot
read the media formatted by DLT 7000 and DLT 8000 unless the hardware compression level
has been changed. See "Reusing Type IV Media Formatted by DLT7000 or DLT8000 in
VS80/DLT1 Drives."
VS160 Drives
VS160 drives use VS1 media to read and write.
VS160 drives can read Type IV media only if the media was formatted by DLT1 or VS80 drive.
They cannot read Type IV media formatted by DLT4000.
They cannot write to Type IV media. If a blank Type IV media is inserted in the VS160 drive, the
media light will flash and media will be ejected from the drive.
SDLT320 and SDLT220 Drives
SDLT320 and SDLT220 drives use SDLT1 type media to read and write. They can backward-
read all Type IV media written with DLT (DLT 4000, DLT 7000, DLT 8000, DLT1, and VS 80)
drives.
SDLT320 drives can read media created with the SDLT220. When media created with the
SDL220 is present in the SDLT320 drive, the media light will come on.
SDLT220 cannot read media created by SDLT320. No warning is given from the drive, but
backup software will indicate bad media.
NOTE: Always label where media was originally used and formatted.

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NOTE: In Table 1-3, the media types formatted in bold can read and write Type IV media only.
NOTE: In Table 1-3, the media type formatted in italics can read and write VS1 media. It can also read
Type IV media written by VS or DLT1 drives.
NOTE: In Table 1-3, the media types formatted in underlines can read and write SDLT media. They can
also read Type IV media written by DLT4000, DLT7000, DLT8000, VS80, and DLT1 drives.
1 Orange alert/media light comes on.
2 The orange alert/media light illuminates and the tape is automatically ejected. The alert/media light will go off if readable
media is inserted into the drive or power is cycled on the drive.
3 No lights will come on. The drive automatically ejects the tape.
4 No lights come on. Backup software shows bad media.
5 Orange (220) LED blinks indicating that a 220 formatted tape is in the drive.
6 No lights blink. The tape does not eject. There is no indicator on the SDLT that would indicate no data on tape.
* Under default settings the DLT 7000 and DLT8000 drives write to tape in their default density. 70 GB 2:1 compressed and 80
GB 2:1 compressed respectively. Tapes written by these devices may be read by DLT4000, DLT1, and VS80 if density 20.0 is
selected on the front panel of the drive prior to formatting the tape media with a DLT7000 or DLT8000 drive. This will be data
destructive.
** Density selection is not mechanically available on the front panel of SDLT drives. However, for backward compatibility
reasons, an SDLT320 Density Select Utility is available on Quantum's website in the SDLT320 download area. This software
utility will allow an SDLT320 drive to write in an SDLT220 format. The utility is available for both Microsoft®Windows®and
Linux platforms.
Table 1-3. Type IV, VS1, and SDLT1 Media Read/Write Compatibility
Media Types Read by
DLT4000
Read by
DLT7000
Read by
DLT8000
Read by
DLT1
Read by
VS80
Read by
VS160
Read by
SDLT220
Read by
SDLT320
New Unformatted Type IV Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No2No6No6
Type IV written by DLT4000 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No2 Yes1 Yes
Type IV written by DLT7000 No* Yes Yes No2*No
2*No 2Yes1Yes
Type IV written by DLT8000 No* No* Yes No2*No
2*No 2Yes1Yes
Type IV written by DLT1 No No No Yes Yes Yes1Yes1Yes
Type IV written by VS80 No No No Yes Yes Yes1Yes1Yes
VS1 written by VS160 No No No No No Yes No No
SDLT1 written by SDLT220 No No No No3No3No2Yes Yes5
SDLT1 written by SDLT320 No No No No3No3No2No4** Yes

Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0 7
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
Characteristics Part No Life Span Tracking
Figure 1-9. Cleaning Tape III Typically cream
colored and
labeled "DLT
Cleaning Tape III."
Cleaning material inside
looks like standard black
media tape.
N/A
NOTE: Dell
does not
sell this
media.
20 times. User needs to
track the
number of
times the tape
is used.
Figure 1-10. DLT/VS Cleaning Tape Light brown
colored. May be
designated "DLT1"
or "VS80."
Cleaning material is light
in color and looks more
like cloth than tape. Tape
leader is black in color
and may appear to look
like electromagnetic
tape.
340-2372 20 times. User needs to
track the
number of
times the tape
is used.
Figure 1-11. VS160 Cleaning Tape Light grey in color
and labeled
"VS160 Cleaning
Cartridge."
Specifically designed to
clean VS160 drives.
NOTE: VS80/DLT1
cleaning tape may be
used to clean a VS160
drive, but not
recommended.
341-0118 20 times. User needs to
track the
number of
times the tape
is used.

8Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0
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Exhausted Cleaning Media
If a cleaning tape is inserted into a DLT/SDLT drive and the light remains on after tape eject,
the cleaning tape may be exhausted. See the following to determine that you are using the
proper cleaning tape for your drive type. If so, try another cleaning tape. Depending on the drive
model, if the light does not go off, there may be a hardware fault in the drive or expired media is
being used.
Figure 1-12. SDLT Cleaning Tape Light gray in color
and designated as
"SDLT Cleaning
Tape . "
Specifically designed for
SDLT220 and SDLT320
drives.
If expired cleaning media
is reused, the cartridge
will get ejected and
cleaning light will stay
on.
NOTE: Do not use VS160
cleaning media to clean
SDLT drives.
340-3349 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.
Table 1-4. Cleaning Media Types
Cleaning Media Physical
Description
Characteristics Part No Life Span Tracking
Table 1-5. Cleaning Media Compatibility
Cleaning Tape DLT4000 DLT7000 DLT8000 DLT1 VS80 VS160 SDLT220 SDLT320
Cleaning Tape III Yes Yes Yes No No No No No
DLT1/VS Cleaning
Tap e
No No No Yes Yes YES (not
recommended)
No No
VS160 Cleaning Tape No No No No No Yes No No
SDLT Cleaning Tape No No No No No No Yes Yes

Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0 9
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. The cartridge will
have little or no effect on head cleaning after the recommended 20 uses.
Media Handling
Cartridge Features
Figure 1-13. Cartridge Tape
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 media reel in the cartridge from spinning when the cartridge is not
loaded in a drive (ensures that proper tension of media is maintained.)
Cartridge Hub — Mechanical interconnect between the cartridge and the drive reel motor.
serial number
reel lock leader
door lock
cartridge hub
reel lock

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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
Figure 1-15. DLT Tape VS1 and DLT VS160 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.
Write protected - slide
toward label. Orange
indicator displayed.
Write protected -
indicator on top
points to closed
lock.

Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0 11
• 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. Store media vertically in protective plastic cases.
Figure 1-17. Store Media Vertically in Protective Plastic Cases
• If you drop a cartridge, perform a visual media inspection before inserting it into the drive.
NOTE: The safety of your data relies on proper care and handling of media cartridges.
Visual Media Inspection
A visual media inspection is to be performed:
• Each time a tape is loaded or changed.
• When a tape cartridge is dropped or subject 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.
NOTE: If a drive error occurs, inspect the current and previous cartridge used in that drive.

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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 write-
enabled mode.
•
Cartridge Leader: Gently inspect the cartridge leader to verify that it has not been damaged
and is in the correct position.
•
DLTtape Cartridges : Check the height of the leader to ensure that the loop is sticking up
approximately 3/16 inch or 4 mm. Ensure that the door operates. DLT tape leader loop
should be visible and undamaged.
•
Super DLTtape Cartridges : Check that the Super DLTtape leader buckle aligns with
cartridge edge and metal pin is not bent.
NOTE: When inspecting the cartridge leader do not use anything that could leave contamination,
such as a pen or pencil.
Figure 1-18. DLTtape Leader Loop

Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0 13
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

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• 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.

Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0 15
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)

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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
Tests have shown that dropping the media can cause an excessive amount of stress to the
spring-loaded cartridge hub on impact. This amount of stress will pull the tape media further
into the media cartridge and bend the leader buckles.
See Figure 1-29 to identify bent-in leader buckles. Note that the plastic hooks are bent inward
and not resting on the cartridge wall. Also the bar is not parallel to the cartridge. It is usually the
HUB side of the cartridge that gets more pulled.
hooks
bar

Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0 17
Figure 1-29. SDLT Bent-In Leader Buckles
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. Normal Storage Conditions (Nonarchival)
Temperature Relative Humidity
• Between 61ºF and 90ºF (16ºC and 32ºC)
• Wet bulb temperature 78ºF (26ºC)
Between 20% and 80%
Table 1-7. Archival Storage Conditions (for one or more years)
Temperature Relative Humidity
Between 64ºF and 79ºF (18ºC and 26ºC) Between 40% and 60%
hooks
bar

18 Dell PowerVault DLT, VS, and SDLT Media Handbook Version 2.0
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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.
The following should not be done when handling media.
• Touch the media or leader with bare fingers.
• Use pens or pencils during cartridge inspection.
• Drop cartridge.
• Stack cartridges horizontally.
• Disassemble cartridges.
• Use adhesive labels.
• Ship cartridges in drive.
• Store near magnetic fields (for example, speakers, monitors, electric motors, power supplies,
and so forth).
• Use a cartridge that fell from 3 ft or higher.