IBM 3590 manual Media Types

vLeader block latch

vFile-protect selector (dependent on supplier)

vFile-protect selector (dependent on supplier)

vCartridge case (black)

vLabels

vIdentification notches (blue for High Performance Cartridge Tape and green for Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape)

Note: The leader block (see item		) is shown unlatched with a length of
tape (see item	) which extends from the cartridge. This is for

illustration purposes only. Do not unlatch the leader block from the cartridge.

The drive mechanism unlatches the tape leader block when a cartridge is inserted into a tape drive. It then pulls the tape leader out of the cartridge, and threads the tape onto a non-removable machine reel in the drive for automatic load.

Each data cartridge includes a file-protect selector which, when set, prevents data from being written on or erased from the tape by a tape device.

In tape libraries, the library vision system identifies the types of cartridges during an inventory operation. The vision system reads a volume serial number (VOLSER) label on the edge of the cartridge. The VOLSER is a bar-code label that contains from one to six characters. It has blanks padded on the right for a VOLSER with fewer than six characters. The media type is indicated with an appended seventh character. See Table 29.

Table 29. Media Types

	Type	Seventh Character
3590	Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape	K
3590	High Performance Cartridge Tape	J
3490E Enhanced Capacity Cartridge System Tape		E
Standard 3480 Cartridge System Tape		1

Note: Use of a label without the seventh character J or K is recommended for Model C12 and C14 (refer to IBM TotalStorage Silo Compatible Tape Frame 3590 Introduction, Planning, and User’s Guide for more information). Characters can be uppercase A–Z and numerics 0–9.

Place the VOLSER label entirely within the label recess on the cartridge. It must be flat to within 0.5 mm (0.02 in.) over the length of the label and have no folds, missing pieces, tears, or any extraneous markings. Failure to follow these placement requirements will result in degraded readability.

803590 Operator Guide