Each device that is defined to Tivoli® Storage Manager is associated with one device class. The device class specifies the device type and media management information, such as recording format, estimated capacity, and labeling prefixes.
A device type identifies a device as a member of a group of devices that share similar media characteristics. For example, the 8MM device type applies to 8 mm tape drives.
Device types include various removable media types along with FILE, CENTERA, and SERVER.
A device class for a tape drive must also specify a library.