HP ESL E-series Tape Libraries - Manual (Page 44)

Labeling tape cartridges
CAUTION:
The misuse and misunderstanding of barcode technology can result in backup and restore failures.
To ensure that your barcodes meet HP's quality standards, always purchase them from an approved
supplier and never print barcode labels yourself. For more information, see the order form provided
with the library, as well as the
Barcode Label Requirements, Compatibility and Usage white paper
available from http://www.hp.com/support .
NOTE:
For information on ordering tape cartridges and barcode labels, see the ordering sheet that shipped
with your library.
Attaching a barcode label to each tape cartridge enables the library and application software to
identify the cartridge quickly, thereby speeding up inventory time. Make it a practice to use barcode
labels on your tape cartridges. Your host software may need to keep track of the following information
and the associated barcode:
• Date of format or initialization
• Tape's media pool
• Data residing on the tape
• Age of the backup
• Errors encountered while using the tape (to determine if the tape is faulty)
NOTE:
If you have more than 100 unlabeled tape cartridges, your library will hang during inventory or
when you power on the library. When this happens, Going on line appears in the OCP.
Ultrium barcode labels
Ultrium cartridges have a recessed area located on the face of the cartridge next to the write-protect
switch. Use this area for attaching the adhesive-backed barcode label (see
Figure 25 ). Do not apply
labels onto the cartridge except in this designated area.
CAUTION:
The barcode label should be applied as shown in Figure 28 , with the alphanumeric portion facing
the hub side of the cartridge. Never apply multiple labels onto a cartridge, because extra labels can
cause the cartridge to jam inside a tape drive.
Library operations 44