IBM TS2900 Autoloader With LTO-6

IBM System Storage TS2900 Tape Autoloader from IBM Corp. offers tape reliability, density, and performance for entry level and compact tape libraries at a cost-effective price in open system environments.

With a capacity of nine cartridges employing IBM patented high density slot technology, is a rack-mountable or deskside unit that contains a single LTO-6 half-high SAS tape drive.

TS2900 Model S6H with the Ultrium 6 HH SAS Tape Drive is designed to support the LTO-6 native data rate performance of up to 160 MB/sec compared to the LTO Ultrium 5 HH Tape Drive at up to 140MB/sec native data transfer rate. The drive supports the LTO-6 media specifications for LTO tape drive technology and LTO-6 media with a compressed capacity of up to 6.25TB with 2.5 to 1 compression (up to 2.5 native capacity) compared to previous LTO-5 compressed capacity of up to 3.0TB with 2:1 compression (up to 1.5TB native capacity) per tape cartridge.

TS2900 Model S6H can also read and write to LTO-5 and read LTO-4 cartridges. The LTO-6 tape drive is encryption-capable and designed to support library managed encryption. TS2900 Models S6H and S5H also support IBM LTFS Library Edition and LTFS Storage manager software.

The TS2900 comes standard with a bar code reader and a removable magazine to provide nine cartridge slots, including a single I/O station. It has remote management capabilities to allow for remote administration of the TS2900 through a web interface. It can be configured to run in sequential (autoloader) or random (library) access mode. Optional features available for the TS2900 include rack-mount kits, deskside covers, and additional cartridge magazines.

Key prerequisites
Appropriate levels of host software are required to attach the TS2900 tape Library with IBM LTO-6 to a range of environments, including selected IBM Power Systems, IBM System i, IBM System p, IBM System x, IBM System z (zLinux), and other servers running HP-UX, Linux, Sun Solaris, and Windows OS environments with SAS interface support.

TS2900 Model S6H also supports IBM LTFS Library Edition and IBM LTFS Storage manager software which are ordered separately.

Planned availability date
December 7, 2012