HP DAT autoloader DAT 72x6e Use the correct media, Data cartridges, Write-protectingcartridges, www.hp.com/go/storagemedia, table 2: data cartridge compatibility

Use the correct media

In order to maximize drive and media reliability, normally use the autoloader to provide one week's backup per magazine. Ideally, use five cartridges and one cleaning cartridge in each magazine. This allows you to perform a full backup, up to 40 (DDS-4) GB or 72 (DAT 72) GB each working day, and ensures that the tape heads are cleaned once a week.

For best performance we recommend HP branded media. Order online at: www.hp.com/go/storagemedia. If you do not have internet access, refer to the User’s Guide on the HP StorageWorks Tape CD-ROMfor ordering information for tape cartridges and cleaning cartridges.

Data cartridges

For optimum performance and storage capacity, use tape cartridges that match your drive's format, and use only one brand and type (tape length) of data cartridge in a magazine. For example, do not use DDS-4 (150m) cartridges with DAT 72 (170m) cartridges. Ideally, use HP’s DDS-4 cartridges with DAT 40x6 autoloaders and HP’s DAT 72 cartridges with DAT 72x6 autoloaders.

Although HP StorageWorks DAT autoloaders are fully backward compatible, old tape formats are more abrasive than later generations and using older tape formats can reduce the life expectancy of the autoloader. The compatibility between drive models and cartridges is summarized in the following table. Shaded boxes show the recommended media for each autoloader.

	DDS-1	DDS-2	DDS-3	DDS-4	DAT 72
	90 meter	120 meter	125 meter	150 meter	170 meter
HP StorageWorks DAT 40x6	read only	read/write	read/write	40 GB*	not supported
				(C5718A)
HP StorageWorks DAT 72x6	not supported	not supported	read/write	read/write	72 GB*
					(C8010A)

* Capacity assumes 2:1 compression.

table 2: data cartridge compatibility

Write-protecting cartridges

If you want to protect the data on a cartridge from being altered or overwritten, you can write- protect the cartridge. (See figure 13.)

Always remove the cartridge from the autoloader before you change the write protection.

•To write-protect a cartridge, slide the tab on the rear of the cartridge so that the recognition hole is open.

•To write-enable a cartridge, slide the tab back so that the hole is closed.

Write-protection will not protect your cartridges against magnets (or bulk erasers).

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