Caring for tape cartridges – Dell PowerVault 110T LTO3 User Manual

Page 30

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To set the switch, slide it left or right to the desired position. If you slide the red tab after the cartridge is inserted in the drive, the change will not take effect
until the cartridge is removed and reinserted.

Caring for Tape Cartridges

Incorrect handling or an incorrect environment can damage the LTO Ultrium Tape Cartridge or its magnetic tape. To avoid damage to your tape cartridges and
to ensure the continued high reliability of your tape drive, use the following guidelines.

Provide Training

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Post procedures that describe proper media handling in places where people gather.

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Ensure that anyone who handles tape has been properly trained in handling and shipping procedures. This includes operators, users, programmers,
archival services, and shipping personnel.

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Ensure that any service or contract personnel who perform archiving are properly trained in media-handling procedures.

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Include media-handling procedures as part of any services contract.

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Define and make personnel aware of data recovery procedures.

Ensure Proper Packaging

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When you ship a cartridge, ship it in its original or better packaging.

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Always ship or store a cartridge in a jewel case.

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Use only a recommended shipping container that securely holds the cartridge in its jewel case during transportation.

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Never ship a cartridge in a commercial shipping envelope. Always place it in a box or package.

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If you ship the cartridge in a cardboard box or a box of a sturdy material, ensure the following:

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Place the cartridge in polyethylene plastic wrap or bags to protect it from dust, moisture, and other contaminants.

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Pack the cartridge snugly; do not allow it to move around.

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Double-box the cartridge (place it inside a box, then place that box inside the shipping box) and add padding between the two boxes

Provide Proper Acclimation and Environmental Conditions

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Before you use a cartridge, let it acclimate to the normal operating environment for 1 hour. If you see condensation on the cartridge, wait an additional
hour.

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Ensure that all surfaces of a cartridge are dry before inserting it.

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Do not expose the cartridge to moisture or direct sunlight.

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Do not expose recorded or blank cartridges to stray magnetic fields of greater than 100 oersteds (for example, terminals, motors, video equipment, X-
ray equipment, or fields that exist near high-current cables or power supplies). Such exposure can cause the loss of recorded data or make the blank
cartridge unusable.

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Maintain the following environmental conditions outlined in the

Table 1

.

 

Table 1. Environmental Specifications

Perform a Thorough Inspection

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Inspect the cartridge's packaging to determine potential rough handling.

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When inspecting a cartridge, open only the cartridge door. Do not open any other part of the cartridge case. The upper and lower parts of the case are
held together with screws; separating them destroys the usefulness of the cartridge.

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Inspect the cartridge for damage before using or storing it.

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Inspect the rear of the cartridge (the part that you load first into the tape load compartment) and ensure that there are no gaps in the seam of the
cartridge case. If there are gaps in the seam, the leader pin may be dislodged.

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Check that the leader pin is properly seated.

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If you suspect that the cartridge has been mishandled but it appears useable, copy any data onto a good cartridge immediately for possible data
recovery. Discard the mishandled cartridge.

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Review handling and shipping procedures.

Handle the Cartridge Carefully

NOTICE: Do not insert a damaged tape cartridge into your tape drive. A damaged cartridge can interfere with the reliability of the drive and may void
the warranties of the drive and the cartridge. Before inserting a tape cartridge, inspect the cartridge case, cartridge door, and write-protect switch
for breaks.

Environmental Factor

Operating

Operational Storage

1

Archival Storage

2

Shipping

Temperature

10° to 45°C

(50° to 113°F)

16° to 35°C

(61° to 95°F)

16° to 25°C

(61° to 77°F)

-23° to 49°C
(-9° to 120°F)

Relative humidity (noncondensing)

10% to 80%

20% to 80%

20% to 50%

5% to 80%

Wet bulb temperature

26°C

(79°F)

26°C

(79°F)

26°C

(79°F)

26°C

(79°F)

Notes:
1. Operational storage equals less than 1 year.
2. Archival storage equals 1 to 10 years.

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