Introduction

The IBM® TS4300 tape library provides compact, high-capacity, low-cost solutions for simple, unattended data backup. The installation begins with the 3U high Base Module, with capacity for up to 40 tape cartridges and 3 half-height LTO™ tape drives, or one full-height and one half-height tape drive. An additional 40 Cartridges and more Drives can be added by installing expansion modules above and below the base module. Earlier Libraries could add 6 expansion modules for a total maximum library stack of 7 modules (21U). Later libraries could add up to 15 expansion modules for a total library stack of 16 modules (48U). A 21U Library cannot be converted to a 48U Library. 48U and 21U libraries have different PNs:

  • 21U Base Chassis: H6FNK
  • 21U Chassis CRU: CG56W
  • 48U Base Chassis: 79KJK
  • 48U Chassis CRU: 3VJVV
The library provides the following capabilities:
  • I/O magazines to allow individual cartridge handling to be done independent of the library.
  • Mixed media types
  • Integrated management tools
  • Remote management with the management GUI
  • Remote monitoring with Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)
  • Multipath architecture
  • Host-based path failover
  • Sequential Mode option
Table 1. Minimum and maximum storage configurations
Configuration Capacity
Minimum

1 Module Library
Base Module only

 Cartridges

402
35 with 5-slot I/O 1
Half height3 Tape Drives 3
Full height4 Tape Drives 1
Half height3/Full height4 Tape Drive Mix 1/1
Maximum

7 Module Library (21U)
Base Module + 6 Expansion Modules

 Cartridges

2802 (275 with 5-slot I/O1)
Half height3 Tape Drives 21
Full height4 Tape Drives 7
Half height3/Full height4 Tape Drive Mix

19/1 up to 7/7
Maximum

16 Module Library (48U)
Base Module + 15 Expansion Modules

 Cartridges 640 (635 with 5-slot I/O1)
Half height3 Tape Drives 48
Full height4 Tape Drives 16
Half height3/Full height4 Tape Drive Mix 46/1 up to 16/16
  • 1Every module can contain a 5-slot I/O station. If a module is configured with a 5-slot I/O station, then there are only 35 remaining I/O slots in that module.
  • 2For libraries with serial numbers before 7800K0K, capacity in lowest module for a 5-slot I/O station is 32 slots and for a 4-slot I/O station is 28 slots.
  • 3Half-height tape drives can be installed in any drive bay in a module.
  • 4Full-height tape drives must be installed in the lowest two bays of a module. Installing a full-height drive in the top two bays of a module is not supported.