IBM TS3310 Tape Library Using LTO-8 Drives
Delivering increased capacity and performance for MES or upgrade
This is a Press Release edited by StorageNewsletter.com on October 16, 2017 at 2:32 pmThe IBM TS3310 tape library consists of TS3310 tape mibrary Model L5B and TS3310 tape library Model E9U.
It now incorporates the new IBM LTO Ultrium 8 FH 8Gb dual-port FC tape drives (feature number 8542), for MES or upgrades only, to enhance drive performance over the previous generation LTO-7 tape drives with a native data transfer rate of up to 360MB/s. Mixed Ultrium generations and attachment tape drive types are supported where drive space is available.
IBM Ultrium 8 FC tape drives are encryption capable. The TS3310 tape library incorporates IBM multipath architecture with logical libraries equal to the number of drives installed.
The TS3310 supports the LTO-8 media specification of double the compressed capacity of up to 30TB with 2.5 to 1 compression (up to 12TB native capacity) compared to previous LTO-7 compressed capacity of up to 15TB with 2.5 to 1 compression (up to 6TB native capacity) per tape cartridge. Ultrium 8 tape drives can read and write LTO -8 and -7 cartridges.
Note: Actual degree of compression achieved is highly sensitive to the characteristics of the data being compressed.
Ultrium 8 features that help improve capacity and performance include:
- LTO-8 media specification native data transfer rate of up to 360MB/s
- Support for LTO-8 media specification tape cartridge compressed capacity of up to 30TB with 2.5 to 1 compression per cartridge
- 1GB internal buffer
- Support for media partitioning and self-describing tape
- LTO-8 encryption support
A dual-stage 32-channel head actuator is designed to provide precision head alignment to help support higher track density and improved data integrity. Track following skew actuator supports flangeless tape guide rollers and dynamic skew to enable the head to follow skew tape motion and improve linear actuation.
The Ultrium 8 Tape Drive uses Statistical Analysis and Reporting System (SARS) to help isolate failures between media and hardware. SARS uses the cartridge performance history saved in the cartridge memory module and the drive performance history kept in the drive flash to help.
The TS3310 Tape Library is modular with physical scalability varying from the 5U Model L5B base library to four additional Model E9U expansion units.
This automated tape library is designed to deliver:
- Space-efficient design with a modular, stackable Model E9U Expansion Frame option providing growth, scalability, and flexibility
- LTO-8 FC dual-port tape drive support and integration
- Support for LTO-8 data and WORM tape cartridges
- Support for two encryption management methods:
- Application managed and library managed
- Library managed encryption is available through the LTO Library Managed Encryption feature
- Support for media partitioning and self-describing tape
- Support for mixed generations of Ultrium tape drives and media
- Path failover, optional for both control paths and data paths
- Capacity on Demand growth options for its expansion modules
- Stand-alone library (up to 14U) or optional rack mounting in an industry-standard 19-inch rack
TS3310 Tape Library Model L5B is a 5U base library unit which contains the library control module, fixed tape cartridge storage of 35 slots, a configurable I/O station with six slots, a touchscreen display, cartridge handling robotics, and up to two LTO Ultrium 8, Ultrium 7, Ultrium 6, or Ultrium 5 tape drives.
TS3310 Tape Library Model E9U is an optional 9U expansion module. Each E9U expansion module can accommodate up to four LTO-8, -7, -6, or -5 tape drives, additional storage slots, and a configurable I/O station of twelve slots. Up to four TS3310 Model E9U tape expansion modules can be added to the TS3310 Model L5B tape library, either at the time of purchase or as a follow-on upgrade to fill a full 41U rack. For configurations of 23U and above, the TS3310 and expansion modules must be installed in a rack. Rack doors are required for any library that has more than 14 drives installed.
Management software options
- Spectrum Archive: TS3310 leverages Spectrum Archive for direct, intuitive, and graphical access to data stored in IBM tape drives and libraries by incorporating the IBM LTFS format standard. LTFS compatibility allows tape-stored data to be accessed as if it were on disk or flash storage. Spectrum Archive allows users of LTO-8 tape library systems to inventory cartridges and read, write, and search data on any cartridge, enabling writing of metadata and tagging of individual files for easy and fast access to files stored on cartridges.
- Spectrum Protect: It enables users to create, manage, and optimize archives, and provides management of concurrent copies of content, plus active, inactive, and off-site content.
Key prerequisites
Appropriate levels of host software are required to attach the TS3310 Tape Library with LTO Ultrium tape drives to select IBM System Servers, Unix, Linux, and Microsoft Windows servers. A current list of supported open system configurations is available at the IBM System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC).
Planned availability date: December 8, 2017
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