Sun Microsystems SL8500 manual Handling a Cartridge, Inspecting and Identifying a Cartridge

Handling a Cartridge

For technical questions, contact Sun StorageTek Sales Support at:

■Phone: 1.800.275.4785

■E-mail: sales_support@storagetek.co

Handling a Cartridge

Improper handling of cartridges can result in a loss of data or damage to a library component.

Improper handling of cartridges can result in a loss of data or damage to a machine component.

To handle a cartridge correctly:

■Do not carry several cartridges loosely in a container. The leader blocks can snag on other cartridges and become unlatched.

Note – T9940 and LTO Ultrium cartridges have leader blocks. T9840 cartridges do not.

■Make sure that the leader block is latched every time you pick up a cartridge.

■Keep cartridges clean.

■Inspect a cartridge before each use and never put a damaged cartridge into a drive or library.

■Never release a leader block and pull tape from a cartridge.

■Never open a cartridge.

■Do not handle tape that is outside the cartridge; the tape edge might be damaged.

■Do not expose the tape or cartridge to direct sunlight or moisture.

■Do not expose a recorded cartridge to magnetic fields; this might destroy data on the tape.

Inspecting and Identifying a Cartridge

A defective or dirty cartridge can damage a drive. Always inspect a cartridge before you insert it into a drive or into a tape library. See FIGURE 5-1 on page 78 through FIGURE 5-4 on page 84. Look for:

■Cracked or broken cartridge

■Broken leader

■Broken tape access door

■Damaged file-protect selector or write-protect switch

■Liquid in the cartridge

■Labels not firmly attached or extending over the cartridge edge

■Any other obvious damage

All the cartridges you use in a SL8500 library are similar, but they have significant differences.

76 StreamLine™ SL8500 Modular Library System User's Guide • March 2007 Revision K • 96154