HP LTO 4 SCSI, LTO 4 FC manual Responding to Cartridge Memory data, Load count, Barcode support

Barcode support

Ultrium barcode support is required for WORM media so that the application and tape library can distinguish WORM media from normal RW media or cleaning cartridges.

HP recommends the use of the following barcode formats for Ultrium media:

123456L2 LTO Ultrium 2

123456L3 LTO Ultrium 3

123456L4 LTO Ultrium 4

::

123456LT LTO Ultrium 3 – WORM

123456LU LTO Ultrium 4 – WORM

::

Responding to Cartridge Memory data

NOTE: Software should use the TapeAlert log in preference to the Cartridge Memory to detect conditions which require the user or host to take preventative action. See “Monitoring the condition of the drive and media” on page 78.

These guidelines indicate how host applications should make use of the data contained in the Cartridge Memory during normal operation (that is, when tapes are not permanently write-protected, not constantly re-formatted).

The console messages triggered by these criteria should clearly indicate a course of action to the end-user, such as the following:

1.Clean the tape heads using a cleaning cartridge.

2.Insert a new tape cartridge.

3.Archive the data.

Load count

NOTE: This only applies when non-write-protected cartridges are used.

The load count is the number of times the cartridge has been loaded into a drive and accessed.

Hewlett-Packard recommends a maximum use for a tape of 20,000 passes over any particular area of the tape. This conservative estimate is also influenced by the quality of the application and the driver software in being able to maintain streaming, thereby preventing repositioning over the same area of tape, without data being transferred.

HP LTO Ultrium 4 drives technical reference manual, volume 2: software integration 25 HP restricted