Autoloader supports Ultrium 3 tape drives.
Press Release Summary:
Models L3H and F3H, of series 3581, support entry-level unattended backup, open systems attachment flexibility, and enhanced capacity and performance. They include: LVD SCSI native switched fabric 2 Gbps fibre channel, Ultrium 3 autoloader native data capacities up to 3.2 TB with 8 cartridge slots, use of LTO Ultrium 3 Tape Drive with native drive data rate of 80 MB/sec, sequential or random access, and optional bar code reader and/or remote management unit.
Original Press Release:
IBM TotalStorage 3581 Tape Autoloader Express Models Support Ultrium 3 Tape Drives
At a glance
The 3581 Tape Autoloader combines IBM tape and automation reliability at open systems prices. The new Models L3H and F3H support entry-level unattended backup, open systems attachment flexibility, enhanced capacity and performance, and include:
LVD SCSI (Model L3H), native switched fabric 2 Gbps Fibre Channel (Model F3H)
Ultrium 3 autoloader native data capacities up to 3.2 TB (up to 6.4 TB using 2:1 compression) with eight cartridge slots
Use of LTO Ultrium 3 Tape Drive with a native drive data rate of 80 MB/sec
Sequential or random access
Rack mount option standard
Optional bar code reader and/or remote management unit
For ordering, contact:
Your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or IBM Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: YE001).
Overview
The new IBM TotalStorage® 3581 Tape Autoloader Express Models L3H and F3H offer high capacity, performance, and technology designed for the midrange open systems environment. These models incorporate a single Linear Tape-Open (LTO) IBM TotalStorage Ultrium 3 Tape Drive which more than doubles tape drive performance over the previous generation LTO Ultrium 2 Tape Drive (Ultrium 2), to up to 80 MB/sec native data transfer rate. In addition, with the use of the new IBM TotalStorage LTO Ultrium 400 GB Data Cartridge, the Ultrium 3 Tape Drive has the capability of writing twice as much data, up to 400 GB native physical capacity (800 GB with 2:1 compression). IBM Ultrium 3 Tape Drives can read and write LTO Ultrium 2 Data Cartridges at original Ultrium 2 capacities. IBM Ultrium 3 Tape Drives can also read LTO Ultrium 1 Data Cartridges with improved data rates of up to 20 MB/sec native data transfer rate (40 MB/sec with 2:1 compression). The Model L3H comes with a Low Voltage Differential (LVD) Ultra160 SCSI attachment, while the Model F3H comes with a native switched fabric 2 Gbps Fibre Channel attachment, for connection to a wide spectrum of open systems servers.
The 3581 Tape Autoloader is an external 2U stand-alone or rack-mountable unit that incorporates a single IBM LTO Ultrium 3 Tape Drive. The 3581 Tape Autoloader capacity is eight tape cartridges, providing a media capacity of up to 3.2 TB (6.4 TB with 2:1 compression) data storage per unit.
Other Ultrium 3 Tape Drive enhancements to help improve performance and reliability include the addition of a new dual-stage 16-head actuator, new independent tape loader and threader motors with positive pin retention, graceful dynamic braking, a larger 128 MB internal buffer, and highly integrated electronics using IBM engineered copper technology.
Product preview
IBM intends to introduce and support Write Once, Read Many (WORM) functionality in products featuring IBM TotalStorage LTO Ultrium 3 Tape Drives. Earlier non-WORM generation 3 drives can be upgraded for WORM support via an update of the firmware to use the new generation 3 WORM media cartridge as it is made available. Products will be fully compliant to the LTO generation 3 standard for WORM functionality.
Previews provide insight into IBM plans and direction. Specific availability dates, ordering information, and terms and conditions will be provided when the product functionality is announced.
Key prerequisites
Appropriate levels of host software are required to attach the 3581 Tape Autoloader with IBM LTO Ultrium 3 Tape Drives to selected IBM i5 and iSeries(TM), AS/400®, IBM p5 and pSeries®, RS/6000®, IBM xSeries®, HP, Sun, UNIX®, and PC servers. Refer to the Technical information section for details.
Planned availability date
June 17, 2005
