IBM TS3100 and TS3200 LTO Libraries

IBM TS3100 Tape Library Model L2U (machine type 6173, SEO #61732UL) and TS3200 Tape Library Model L4U (machine type 6173, SEO #61734UL) incorporate the new LTO-6 FH 8GB FC, half-high 6GB SAS, and HH 8GB FC tape drives, enhancing tape performance over the previous generation of LTO-5 drives with a native data transfer rate of up to 160MB/s.

They also incorporate LTO-5 and -4 drives. Available drives include LTO-5 FH and HH FC, LTO-5 FH and HH SAS drives, along with LTO-4 FH and HH FC, LTO-4 FH and HH SAS, and LTO-4 FH SCSI drives.

Mixed LTO Ultrium generations and attachment tape drive types are supported where drive space is available. LTO-6, -5, and -4 SAS and FC drives are encryption capable.

The TS3100 and TS3200 libraries incorporate IBM Multi-Path Architecture with logical libraries equal to the number of drives installed. LTO-6, -5, and -4 drives for the TS3100 and TS3200 libraries are ordered separately as features or with their own SEO option number.

LTO-6 tape drives support the LTO-6 media specification of more than double the compressed capacity of up to 6.25TB with 2.5 to 1 compression (up to 2.5TB native capacity) compared to previous LTO-5 compressed capacity of up to 3TB with 2 to 1 compression (up to 1.5TB native capacity) per cartridge. IBM LTO-6 drives can read and write LTO-5 and -6 cartridges, and can read LTO-4 cartridges.

TS3100 library model L2U can accommodate up to two LTO Ultrium HH drives or one LTO Ultrium FH drive, 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 barcode reader are standard in the library, enabling the library to run in sequential or random access mode. Optional available features include a rackmount kit, additional attachment cables, LTO encryption, path failover, additional drives, interposers, and power cords.

TS3200 library model L4U can accommodate up to four LTO Ultrium HH tape drives or two LTO Ultrium FH drives. It comes standard with four removable cartridge magazines, providing 48 data cartridge slots and a three-slot I/O station. A remote management unit and a barcode reader are standard in the library, allowing the library to run in sequential or random access mode.

Optional features available include a rackmount kit, an additional power supply, additional removable cartridge magazines, LTO encryption, path failover, additional drives, attachment cables, interposers, and power cords.

The libraries also support IBM LTFS and LTFS Storage Manager software for IBM LTO-6 and -5 drives.

Key prerequisites
Appropriate levels of host software are required to attach and support the TS3100 or TS3200 Tape Library with IBM LTO-6, -5, or -4 drives to a range of environments and servers.