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IBM 3430 Magnetic Tape Subsystem

• Announced March 15, 1983 and withdrawn December 19, 1989

The 3430 was a dual density, 50 inch-per-second tape drive. It read or wrote either 1600 bytes-per-inch phase encoded (PE) or 6250 bytes-per-inch group coded recording (GCR). The GCR mode provided more efficient detection and correction of tape read errors while the PE mode provided compatibility with and conversion of existing 1600 BPI tape files. GCR also provided a greater tape density (6250 BPI), which improved performance up to 312K bytes per second.

Two models were available in the 1980s:

• Model A01, which consisted of the subsystem control unit and one tape unit housed in the same frame.
  
  
• Model B01, which was a tape unit only.

Three Model B01s could be attached to a Model A01 for a maximum of four tape units per subsystem.

The 3430 Subsystem was compatible with existing tape subsystems and could be attached to the following host processors:

• 4331
• 4341
• System/370 Models 135 through 168
• 3031
• 3032
• 3033
• System/38 Models 4, 5 and 7

Some of the advantages provided by the 3430:

• Read and wrote data at lower costs than previous IBM tape subsystems with similar recording capabilities.
  
  
• Large-scale integration circuitry permitted reliable subsystem operations at low cost, with fewer and more condensed printed circuit cards.
  
  
• Compact size provided users with increased space savings. Horizontal tape transport deck permitted easy tape reel mounting and handling.
  
  
• Error correction and improved maintenance functions designed into the system increased productivity and reliability.

The side panels were offered in the following colors: pebble gray, garnet rose, classic blue, willow green, charcoal brown and sunrise yellow.

The 3430 was developed and manufactured at the IBM General Products Division facility in Tucson, Arizona.

* Difference in gap size did not prevent tape interchange with IBM 3420 tape drives.