Performance scaling, also known as capacity scaling, is a function that allows you to contain data in a specified fraction of the tape, yielding faster locate and read times.
The 3592 Model J provides performance scaling by using the first 60 GB of MEDIA5 physical tape or capacity scaling by using the full 300 GB of physical tape. Both the base and encryption-capable 3592 Model E05 and 3592 Model E06 provide performance scaling, allowing you to optimize performance for MEDIA5 and MEDIA9 cartridges. The 3592 Model E07 provides the performance scaling option on MEDIA9 and MEDIA11 cartridges. Performance scaling for the 3592 Model E05, 3592 Model E06, and 3592 Model E07 limits the data written to the first 20% (the optimally scaled performance capacity) of the cartridge. Use the ISMF Data Class application to set the performance scaling attribute for tape allocations in an IBM tape library or in the stand-alone (non-SMS managed) tape environment. The performance scaling attribute allows you to select optimal performance for certain types of jobs and applications. The default setting is to use the full capacity of the tape.
In the OAM object tape environment, you can define a new SETOAM DATACLASS parameter that specifies a data class that uses the performance scaling attribute for a 3592 tape device. For instance, you might choose to use performance scaling for your primary object data (one or more Object storage groups), and use the full tape capacity for your backup object data.