Tape Drive has 36 GB native physical storage capacity.

Press Release Summary:




With data transfer rates of up to 3.0 MB/sec, 7206 Model 336 stand-alone, 4 mm streaming tape drive incorporates technology that uses fifth generation (Gen5) Digital Data Storage (DDS) tape media. It offers media recognition features, ability to read and write on various DDS technology tape cartridges, and external, self-powered packaging. It also provides users with save, restore, and archive functions.



Original Press Release:



IBM 7206 Model 336 External 36 GB DDS Gen5 Tape Drive Improves Data Storage Capacity and Reliability



At a glance

The 7206 Model 336 is a large-capacity 4mm tape drive designed using DDS technology that features:

Increased tape capacity of up to 1.8 times that of the 7206 Model 220 - Up to 36 GB native physical storage capacity per cartridge (72 GB with 2:1 compression)

A higher data transfer rate than the Model 220 - Up to 3.0 MB/sec (6.0 MB/sec with 2:1 compression)

Enhanced reliability through new media recognition features

The flexibility to read and write on a variety of DDS technology tape cartridges

External, self-powered packaging

For ordering, contact:

Your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or IBM Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: YE001).

Overview

The IBM 7206 Model 336 External 36 GB DDS Gen5 Tape Drive is a stand-alone, SCSI, 4mm streaming tape drive that attaches externally to the RS/6000® and IBM pSeries® and RS/6000 families of workstations and servers.

Key features

The IBM 7206 Model 336 External 36 GB Tape Drive incorporates technology that uses fifth generation (Gen5) Digital Data Storage (DDS) tape media, also referred to as DAT72. The tape drive provides a media capacity of 36 GB (72 GB with 2:1 compression) physical data storage capacity per cartridge. It is designed to provide a sustained data transfer rate of up to 3.0 MB/sec (6.0 MB/sec with 2:1 compression). In addition to reading and writing on DDS Gen5 formatted tape cartridges, the 7206 Model 336 is also designed to read and write on DDS-4 and DDS-3 tape cartridges.

Benefits

Providing an excellent migration and interchange path from other 4mm tape drives, the 7206 Model 336 is a cost-effective solution for your save, restore, and archiving functions. Specifically:

The increased storage capacity up to 72 GB (with 2:1 compression) is 1.8 times the capacity of the IBM 7206 Model 220, helping reduce the number of tape cartridges needed.

The 7206 Model 336 can achieve a higher sustained data transfer rate than the Model 220.

To increase the tape drive's reliability, the 7206 Model 336 contains a media recognition feature designed to help prevent non-data grade tape cartridges from being used for writing data.

The new DDS Gen5 model also offers improved read-channel performance, energy-saving features, and fewer components than the DDS-4 model.

The DDS Gen5 features a mechanism that uses an electronic tape path to promote long life for the head, drum, and key components.

Key prerequisites

AIX® V4.3.3 or V5.1.0, or later

Planned availability date

December 5, 2003

Description

The IBM 7206 Model 336 External 36 GB DDS Gen5 Tape Drive is an externally attached 4mm tape drive for RS/6000 and pSeries servers. It features data compression for an effective physical storage capacity of up to 72 GB and a data transfer rate of up to 6.0 MB/sec (depending on the characteristics of the data transferred). With twice the capacity and a higher data rate over the previous 7206 Model 220, the 7206 Model 336 can help enhance user productivity. The 7206 Model 336 is designed to provide a more cost effective solution for save, restore, and archiving functions than previous models.

Note: Although the 7206 Model 336 tape drive is designed to give you high tape performance, other components of your system may limit the actual performance achieved. In addition, the compression technology used in the tape drive is designed to double the amount of data that can be stored on the media; however, the actual degree of compression achieved is highly sensitive to the characteristics of the data that is being compressed.

Product positioning

The new IBM 7206 Model 336 External 36 GB Tape Drive is a good solution for customers with RS/6000 and pSeries servers who use 4mm DDS tape technology and require a larger capacity tape backup. The new Model 336 is an excellent save and restore device when your requirements exceed older 4mm and 1/4-inch tape drive capacity, but you do not require the higher capacity, higher priced 8mm or 1/2-inch tape drives.

The 7206 Model 336 can read and write DDS-4 and DDS-3 tape data cartridges. Because of its read and write compatibility with earlier 4mm tape formats, the 7206 Model 336 is a natural replacement for older 7206 4mm tape drives.

If you need to backup larger amounts of data, or need a higher performance tape drive, consider the following:

IBM 7208 Model 345 8mm Tape Drive

IBM 7206 Model VX2 8mm Tape Drive

IBM 7205 External Digital Linear Tape Drive

IBM 3580 LTO Ultrium Tape Drive

IBM 3581 LTO Ultrium Tape Autoloader

IBM 3584 UltraScalable LTO Tape Library

Trademarks

The e-business logo, RS/6000, pSeries, and AIX are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States or other countries or both.

Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.

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