Different media generations in a library

Edit online

The IBM Storage Protect server allows mixed device types in an automated library, but the mixing of different generations of the same type of drive is generally not supported. New drives cannot write to the older media formats, and old drives cannot read new formats. LTO Ultrium drives and IBM 3592 tape drives are an exception to this rule.

If the new drive technology cannot write to media that is formatted by older generation drives, the older media must be marked read-only to avoid problems for server operations. Also, the older drives must be removed from the library, or the definitions of the older drives must be removed from the server. For example, the IBM Storage Protect server does not support the use of Oracle StorageTek 9940A drives with 9940B drives in combination with other device types in a single library.

In general, IBM Storage Protect does not support mixing generations of drives and media. However, the following mixtures of drives and media are supported:
  • For the LTO Ultrium drives:
    • LTO Ultrium Generation 3 (LTO-3) with LTO Ultrium Generation 4 (LTO-4)
    • LTO Ultrium Generation 4 (LTO-4) with LTO Ultrium Generation 5 (LTO-5)
    • LTO Ultrium Generation 5 (LTO-5) with LTO Ultrium Generation 6 (LTO-6)
    • LTO Ultrium Generation 6 (LTO-6) with LTO Ultrium Generation 7 (LTO-7)
    • LTO Ultrium Generation 7 (LTO-7) media with LTO Ultrium Generation 8 (LTO-8 and LTO-M8) media in a library with LTO-8 tape drives or a library with mixed LTO-8 and LTO-7 tape drives
  • For the IBM 3592 tape drives:
    • 3592 Generation 4 with 3592 Generation 3, for JB/JX or JA/JW media
    • 3592 Generation 5 with 3592 Generation 4, for JC/JY media
    • 3592 Generation 5A with 3592 Generation 5
    • 3592 Generation 6 with 3592 Generation 5A and/or 3592 Generation 5, for JD/JZ or JC/JY media

    For detailed information, see the IBM Tape Drive 3592 SCSI Reference document.

The server supports these mixtures because the different drives can read and write to the different media. If you plan to upgrade all drives to the latest Generation, you must delete all existing drive definitions and the paths that are associated with them. Then, you can define the new Generation drives and paths.

Restrictions that apply to mixing LTO Ultrium tape drives and media
  • LTO-5 drives can read only LTO-3 media. If you are mixing LTO-3 with LTO-5 drives and media in a single library, you must mark the LTO-3 media as read-only. You must check out all LTO-3 scratch volumes.
  • LTO-6 drives can read only LTO-4 media. If you are mixing LTO-4 with LTO-6 drives and media in a single library, you must mark the LTO-4 media as read-only. You must check out all LTO-4 scratch volumes.
  • LTO-7 drives can read only LTO-5 media. If you are mixing LTO-5 with LTO-7 drives and media in a single library, you must mark the LTO-5 media as read-only. You must check out all LTO-5 scratch volumes.
  • LTO-8 drives are unable to read LTO-6 media. If you are mixing LTO-6 and LTO-8 drives and media in a single library, you must partition the library into two libraries. One library has only LTO-8 drives and media and the other has LTO-6 drives and media.
Restrictions that apply to mixed generation LTO Ultrium tape drives in a library
You must use tape cartridges that are an earlier generation than the tape drive. A later generation tape drive can read and write data to an earlier generation tape cartridge. For an example, if a library has LTO-7 and LTO-6 tape drives, you must use LTO-6 tape cartridges. Both the LTO-7 and LTO-6 tape drives can read and write data to LTO-6 tape cartridges.
Restrictions that apply to mixed generation LTO Ultrium tape cartridges in a library
You must use a tape cartridge that is the same generation as the tape drive, or one generation earlier. For example, if a library has LTO-7 tape drives, you can use LTO-7 tape cartridges or mixed LTO-7 and LTO-6 tape cartridges. If this library has LTO-7, LTO-6, and LTO-5 tape cartridges, you must change the access mode to READONLY for the LTO-5 tape cartridges.

To learn about additional considerations when you mix LTO Ultrium generations, see Defining LTO device classes.

When you use IBM Storage Protect, you cannot mix drives that are 3592, TS1130, TS1140, TS1150, and later drive generations. Use one of three special configurations. For details, see Defining 3592 device classes.

If you plan to encrypt volumes in a library, do not mix media generations in the library.