IBM TS3100 and TS3200 Library Express Models With HH LTO-4 Drives

The IBM System Storage TS3100 Tape Library Express Model L2U (machine type 3573) and the IBM System Storage TS3200 Tape Library Express Model L4U (machine type 3573) are designed to offer high capacity, and enhanced performance and technology for the midrange open system environments. The products are included as part of the IBM System Storage tape library family of offerings.

The TS3100 and TS3200 now incorporate the new IBM Linear Tape-Open (LTO) Ultrium 4 Half-High SAS Drive, enhancing tape performance over the previous generation IBM LTO Ultrium 3 Tape Drives, with a native data transfer rate of up to 120 MB/sec. Mixed Ultrium Half-High Tape Drive types are supported. IBM Ultrium 4 SAS tape drives are encryption capable. The TS3100 and TS3200 Tape Libraries incorporate IBM’s Multi-Path Architecture with logical libraries equal to the number of drives installed.

By using the IBM LTO Ultrium 800 GB Data Cartridge, the Ultrium 4 Tape Drive has the capability of writing twice as much data, up to 800 GB native physical capacity (1,600 GB with 2:1 compression), compared to the Ultrium 3 Tape Drive. IBM Ultrium 4 Tape Drives can read and write LTO Ultrium 3 Data Cartridges and can read Ultrium 2 Data Cartridges.

The TS3100 Tape Library can accommodate up to two LTO Ultrium Half-High Tape Drives and comes standard with two removable cartridge magazines, one on the left side (12 data cartridge slots) and one on the right (12 data cartridge slots). The left magazine includes a single-cartridge I/O station designed to allow for continuous library operation while importing or exporting media. A remote management unit and a bar code reader are standard in the library. The library can run in sequential or random access mode. Optional features available include a rack mount kit, additional attachment cables, transparent LTO encryption, additional drives, interposers, and power cords.

The TS3200 Tape Library can accommodate up to four LTO Ultrium Half-High Tape Drives and comes standard with four removable cartridge magazines, providing 48 data cartridge slots, including a three-slot I/O station. A remote management unit and a bar code reader are standard in the library. The library can run in sequential or random access mode. Optional features available include a rack mount kit, an additional power supply, additional removable cartridge magazines, transparent LTO encryption, additional drives, attachment cables, interposers, and power cords.

Appropriate levels of host software are required to attach the TS3100 or TS3200 Tape Library with IBM LTO Ultrium 4 Tape Drives to selected IBM System p, IBM System i, IBM System x, and other servers running HP-UX, Sun Solaris, Linux, and Microsoft Windows.

Planned availability date: November 25, 2008