StorageLibrary Installation and User Guide
65
11 Working With Cartridges and Barcodes
This chapter describes how to work with cartridges and barcodes. When working with cartridges,
there are certain considerations that should be taken into account. For example, all cartridges in the
library must have a barcode label. In additi
on, when loading your library, you should be aware of
whether or not your cartridges are write
-
protected.
This section discusses these types of items in general terms. For information on what type of tape
cartridges are supported for listed tape drive type
s, refer to Specifications
.
Every partition in the library must contain at least one cleaning cartridge.

Handling Cartridges Properly

To ensure the longest possible life for your cartridges, follow
these guidelines:
Select a visible location to post procedures that
describe proper media handling
.
Ensure that anyone who handles cartridges has been pro
perly trained on all procedures
.
Do not drop or strike cartridges. Excessive shock could damage the in
ternal contents of cartridges
or the casings themselves, re
ndering the cartridges unusable
.
Do not expose cartridges to direct sunlight or sources of heat, including por
table heaters and
heating ducts
.
Do not stack
cartridges more than five high
.
The opera
ting temperature range for LTO cartridges is 10º
35ºC. The storage temperature range
is 16º
32ºC in a dust
-
free environment with a relative humidity range b
etween 20%
80% (non
-
condensing)
.
If cartridges have been exposed to temperatures outside the ranges
specified above, stabilize the
cartridges at room temperature for the same amount of time they were exposed to extreme
temperatures
or 24 hours, whichever is less
.
Do not place cartridges near sources of electromagnetic energy or strong magnetic fields, su
ch as
computer monitors, electric motors, speakers, or x
-
ray equipment. Exposure to electromagnetic
energy or magnetic fields can destroy data and the embedded servo code written on the media by
the cartridge manufacturer, re
ndering the cartridges unusable
.
Place identification labels only in the des
ignated slots on the cartridges
.
If you ship cartridges, ship them in their original
packaging or something stronger
.
Do not insert dama
ged cartridges into tape drives
.