System-Managed mountable tape external labels
An external label is required for every tape cartridge in the tape
library.
This label
contains both machine-readable and operator-readable identification
characters that are used by the tape library vision system. A tape
library vision system, which is unique to an automated tape library,
identifies the volume serial number of the cartridge. In a manual
tape library, a machine readable external label is not required, but
is advisable for migration purposes. Each label can have a maximum
of six characters for identification purposes:
- Uppercase A - Z
- Numerics 0 - 9
- Trailing blank spaces (non-service volumes only)
The external label must be applied within the indentation on the side of the cartridge; however, a larger information label, supplied by the customer, can be used on the top of the cartridge. See Using the IBM Tape Library for more information.