XenData X1500 User manual

XenData X1500
User Guide
© 2011 XenData Limited. All rights reserved.
XenData is a trademark of XenData Limited.
Document last modified date: 5-Oct-11

User Guide: XenData X1500 LTO-5 Archive System
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XenData X1500 LTO-5 Archive System User Guide
Contents
1. Overview
1.1 X1500 Contents
1.2 About LTO
1.3 LTO Archive and Restore via Drag and Drop
1.4 Offline File Management
1.5 Barcodes and Tape Labels
1.6 Use on Multiple Computers
1.7 More About XenData6 Workstation Software
2. Installation Guide
2.1 Workstation System Requirements
2.2 Connecting the Hardware
2.3 Installing the Software
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3. System Power On/Off Procedure
3.1 System Power-On
3.2 System Power-Off
3.3 Changing the Connected LTO Tape Drive(s)
4. Tape Drive Operation
4.1 Tape Drive Front View
4.2 Powering on the Tape Drive
4.3 Removing Power from the Drive
4.4 Loading a Tape Cartridge
4.5 Ejecting a Tape Cartridge
4.6 Tape Drive Cleaning
4.7 LED Sequence Diagnostics

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1. Overview
1.1 X1500 Contents
The X1500 is an LTO-5 digital archive system for installation on a Windows 7 workstation. The X1500
contains the following items.
HP LTO-5 tape drive in an external enclosure with a SAS interface
X1500 CD with documentation and XenData6 Workstation software
Dual port SAS Card - for insertion in the computer's PCI Express slot
2m SAS cable - to connect the tape drive to the SAS card
LTO Cleaning Cartridge
1.2 About LTO
Linear Tape Open (LTO) is the leading data tape format and uses technology developed by HP, IBM and
Quantum Corporation. The latest generation of LTO is LTO-5 which provides high storage capacity, high
speed file transfers and a long archival data life:
Huge storage capacity Each LTO-5 tape cartridge stores 1.5 TB without any compression. For video
files, this represents over 65 hours at a 50 Mbits/s recording rate.

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High speed file transfers An LTO-5 tape drives write to and read from tape at up to 140 MBytes/s.
Long archival data life LTO tape cartridges are available from multiple manufacturers that specify a 30
years archival data life.
LTO tape cartridges are available as rewritable or WORM. WORM is an acronym for Write Once Read
Many and the data written to WORM LTO tape cartridges cannot be altered. This means that WORM tapes
cannot be reformatted and reused, unlike rewritable cartridges.
Tape drive compatibilities are as follows.
Drive
Type 1500 GB RW 1500 GB WORM 800 GB RW 800 GB WORM 400 GB RW 400 GB WORM 200 GB RW
LTO-5 Read-
Write Read-Write Read- Write Read-Write Read-Only Read-Only Not Compatible
1.3 LTO Archive and Restore via Drag and Drop
The X1500 system archives to and restore from LTO tape using Windows Explorer. The XenData6
Workstation software extends Windows Explorer's capabilities to transfer files to and from LTO using drag
and drop or copy and paste. Files many be archived to tape from any accessible logical drive letter or
network share, including Mac shares. Similarly, files may be restored to a local drive letter or a network
location.

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Using familiar Windows Explorer functionality, the software gives an option to copy only files that have
changed or are new.
The system supports all file types, including non-video files. It maintains file and folder structures, which
allows the transfer of nested folder structures to and from LTO tapes.
1.4 Offline File Management
The X1500 system can manage a large offline LTO tape archive as the file and folder structure stored on all
tapes that have ever been inserted into the LTO tape drive may be retained. You can browse the contents
of offline tapes using Windows Explorer and should you need to restore one or more files or folders, the
system will prompt with the name of the offline tape.
The software includes a report generator which is useful for managing the archive. Options include File
Search reports that produce a list of files which meet user-defined file search criteria and identify the LTO
cartridge that contains each match. A Tape Contents report is also available which produces a list of files
contained on any LTO cartridge including offline tapes.

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1.5 Barcodes and Tape Labels
A label may be attached to an LTO tape cartridge. This can be a paper label with a descriptive volume label
which may be hand-written or it can be a barcode label as shown below.
When using a tape library, barcodes labels are the preferred method for keeping track of tapes, as most tape
libraries include a barcode reader. However stand-alone tape drives do not have the capability of reading
barcode labels but they are able to read the in-cartridge memory chip that is present in all LTO tape
cartridges. When an LTO tape having a barcode label is formatted in a tape library under control of XenData
server software, the software writes the barcode information to the in-cartridge memory chip which allows the
barcode information to be read in a stand-alone tape drive and to be displayed by XenData6 Workstation
software.

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1.6 Use on Multiple Computers
The XenData6 Workstation software license supports use of the supplied LTO tape drive on multiple
computers. When you first install the software, you will assign the supplied tape drive to your software
license. Then you may install the XenData6 Workstation software on multiple computers and use the
specific assigned LTO drive on any of those computers.
1.7 More About XenData6 Workstation Software
Please refer to the XenData6 Workstation User Guide.
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2. Installation Guide
2.1 Workstation System Requirements
The workstation computer must meet the following minimum requirements.
Windows 7 operating system - all 32 bit and 64 bit editions are supported.
Minimum of 2 GB RAM.
One available PCI Express 2.0 slot - either high profile or low profile
2.2 Connecting the Hardware
2.2.1 Power-off the workstation computer.
2.2.2 Follow the instructions specific to your computer and install the dual port SAS card into an available
PCI Express 2.0 slot.
2.2.3 Connect the LTO tape drive to either of the ports on the SAS card with the supplied 2m SAS cable.
2.2.4 Connect a power cord to the LTO tape drive.

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2.3 Installing the Software
When an Internet connection is available for the workstation computer, use the procedure described below.
2.3.1 Ensure that the hardware is connected as described above.
2.3.2 Power on the LTO tape drive(s).
2.3.3 Boot the workstation computer.
2.3.4 Configure Power Options for the workstation computer to prevent sleeping or hibernating. (This is
because any file transfers to or from LTO tape will pause if the workstation sleeps or hibernates.)
2.3.5 Ensure that the workstation computer is connected to the Internet.
2.3.6 Ensure that a device driver is installed for the LTO tape drive.
2.3.7 Select from the supplied CD or download the applicable XenData6 Workstation installation file - either
32 bit or 64 bit as appropriate for your Windows 7 operating system. Double click on the
XD6Workstation_setup file to launch the installation wizard and proceed as described below.
2.3.8 Carefully review the License Agreement and, if you agree, accept the terms of the agreement.

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2.3.9 When the License Administration Utility interface is displayed as shown below, enter your Activation
Code into the designated field and click ‘Apply’.
The License Administration Utility will connect to a XenData License Server and will activation your
system. It will permanently assign the attached tape drive to your Activation Code. The details of the
activation will be displayed in the lower pane of the License Administration Utility. Then click ‘OK’
2.3.10 Reboot the workstation after successful completion of the installation wizard.

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If Internet access is not available for the workstation computer being licensed, you can use another
machine that does have an Internet connection. The following procedure should be performed
instead of step 2.3.9 above:
a. When the License Administration Utility interface is displayed, enter your Activation Code into
the designated field.
b. Select the ‘Generate request for license’ option and click Apply.
c. The License Administration program prompts you for a file name. Choose a convenient name
for the file and click Save.
d. Transfer the file that you have just saved to a different machine that has Internet access.
e. Open the file in your Web browser by double clicking on it.
f. Right-click on the link in the file you have just opened and select ‘Save target as...’ and select a
location to save your license file.
g. Copy the saved license file back to the workstation that is being licensed.
h. In the license administration utility, select the ‘Import file’ option and click Apply.
i. Browse to the saved XML license file and open it.
j. The click ‘OK’

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3. System Power On/Off Procedure
3.1 System Power-On
3.1.1 Ensure that at least one LTO tape drive is connected to the Windows 7 workstation using the supplied
SAS cable(s).
3.1.2 Power on the LTO tape drive(s).
3.1.3 Boot the workstation computer.
3.1.4 The system is ready to use when the computer has booted up and the Ready LED on each LTO tape
drive shows steady green.
3.2 System Power-Off
3.2.1 Ensure that at least one LTO tape drive is connected to the Windows 7 workstation using the supplied
SAS cable(s).
3.2.2 Shut down the workstation from the ‘Start’ menu.
3.2.3 Power off each LTO tape drive using the On/Off switch.

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3.3 Changing the Connected LTO Tape Drive(s)
To add or remove one or more LTO tape drives, please power down the system as described above, attach
or remove the tape drive(s) and then follow the power-up procedure as described above.
If you are adding an LTO tape drive that has not previously been used on this workstation, please follow the
procedure described below.
For LTO Drives Previously Licensed - If one of the attached LTO tape drives has not been used on
this workstation previously but has been licensed on another workstation, please ensure that this
workstation has an Internet connection. The first time that the XenData6 Workstation software identifies
a new tape drive, it will use the Internet connection to determine if the drive is licensed.
For LTO Drives Not Previously Licensed - You will need a valid XenData Activation Code for each
tape drive. Please use the XenData License Administration Utility to license each drive.

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4. Tape Drive Operation
4.1 Tape Drive Front View
1. Tape Cartridge Door
2. On/Off Switch
3. Encryption LED (LTO-5 drive only)
4. Clean LED
5. Tape LED
6. Drive LED
7. Ready LED
8 Eject Button

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4.2 Powering on the Tape Drive
Immediately after powering on the tape drive, it will run its hardware self-test which takes about 5 seconds.
If the self-test passes, the green Ready LED flashes and then shows steady green. If the test fails, the
Drive Error and Tape Error LEDs flash, while the Ready and Clean LEDs are off.
4.3 Removing Power from the Drive
To ensure reliable operation, do not remove power from the drive during read, write, fast search, load and
unload activities.
It is especially important to avoid removing power when files are being written to a tape cartridge. This may
put the tape cartridge into a ‘protected state’ which will prevent further files being written to that tape.
4.4 Loading a Tape Cartridge
4.4.1 Ensure that the Ready LED shows steady green.
4.4.2 Lift the cartridge door and insert the cartridge into the slot in the front of the drive with the arrow
uppermost and facing the drive door.

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1. Arrow indicated insertion direction.
2. Tape cartridge door.
3. Tape cartridge label area.
4.4.3 Apply gentle pressure until the drive takes the cartridge and loads it.
4.4.4 The Ready LED flashes green while the drive performs its load sequence. When the cartridge is
loaded, the Ready LED shows steady green.
4.5 Ejecting a Tape Cartridge
4.5.1 Wait until the system has completed all read and write operations. This is indicated by the Ready LED
which shows steady green.

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4.5.2 Press the eject button on the front panel of the tape drive or use XenData6 Workstation to initiate an
eject command.
1. Eject Button
4.5.3 The tape drive will rewind the tape to the beginning and eject the cartridge. This may take several
minutes. The Ready LED will flash to indicate that the unload process is still in progress.

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4.6 Tape Drive Cleaning
The tape drive does not require regular cleaning. A Universal LTO Cleaning Cartridge should only be used
when the orange Clean LED is flashing.
To clean the tape drive:
Load the LTO Universal Cleaning Cartridge into the drive.
The drive will carry out its cleaning cycle and eject the cartridge on completion (which can take up to 5
minutes). During the cleaning cycle the orange Clean LED will be on solidly and the green Ready LED
will flash.
Each LTO Universal Cleaning Cartridge can be used up to 50 times with LTO tape drives. If the cleaning
cartridge is ejected immediately with the Tape LED on, it has expired.

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4.7 LED Sequence Diagnostics
LED Sequence Cause Action Required

All LED’s OFF.
Drive may not have power, may
be faulty or may have been
power cycled or reset during a
firmware upgrade.
Make sure the drive is switched on. The power
on/off switch incorporates a green LED.
Check the power cord connection and replace
the cable if necessary. On external drives, you
can use the power cord from your monitor or
another device to check that the connection is
working.
If the power supply is present and all LEDs
remain off, power cycle or reset the drive. If it
still fails, call for service.
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Ready and Clean OFF.
Drive and Tape FLASH.
The drive has failed to execute
power-on self test (POST).
Power cycle or reset the drive.
If the error condition reappears, call for service.
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