HP NonStop G-Series - Manual (Page 14)

Chapter Four - Tape Cartridges
4.1 Tape Cartridge
A tape cartridge is a storage device that contains either magnetic tape or a cleaning ribbon inside a
protective case. The cartridge protects the tape or ribbon and makes handling easier. The two types are
cleaning cartridges and data cartridges.
Cleaning cartridges or tapes are used to clean the recording heads of the tape drive with a cleaning
ribbon.
Data cartridges or data tapes hold magnetic storage media for the tape subsystem. These
cartridges are used to record and read back system data.
4.1.2 Humidity
To avoid condensation problems, allow a tape to stabilize at least two hours after a change in
temperature or humidity before using it.
4.1.3
Life Expectancy of Tapes
All DDS-certified media is electronically checked to withstand at least 2000 passes. Under
optimum environmental conditions (50% relative humidity, 22ºC), this is equivalent to about 200
to 300 backup operations. Sustained use at the low end of the humidity specification will reduce
the tape life.
4.1.4 Using
Labels
Cartridge and magazine labels must be firmly stuck to the recessed label area and nowhere else.
To avoid a mechanism jam:
•
Labels must be firmly stuck and not peeling off or curling at the corners.
•
Labels must only be stuck within the label area.
•
A label must not be stuck on top of another label.
•
Use only labels that are supplied with the cartridges or magazine.
4.2 Selecting a Data Cartridge
The 5242-2SE uses data-quality removable, rewriteable 4mm tape cartridges. This table shows data
cartridge capacities and types:
Data Cartridge Drive Type Native
Capacity Compressed
Capacity*
125m cartridge DDS-3 12.0GB 24.0GB
170m cartridge DAT72 36.0GB 72.0GB
Table 5 Tape capacities *Assumes 2:1 data compression
HP StorageWorks DAT 72 (Model 5242-2SE) User's Guide
10 HP Part Number 528297-003 July 2005