Dear sirs,

Can you clarify, is this ok to use non-IBM branded LTO tapes in a IBM Library?

I'm using TS4300 tape lib, and want to add few tapes. Is it critical to buy IBM-branded 02XW568L instead of Lenovo/HPE ones?

LTO itself says it's ok: That's why LTO specifications are open format, designed for interoperability from among multiple competing vendors. These vendors submit their products to compatibility testing to ensure vendor functionality so that an LTO technology from one vendor can be used on a drive provided by another. It's become the de-facto standard for medium-tier storage needs.

But no mentions from IBM i've found so far.

Hi Marcus,

it is ok to use non-IBM LTO cartridges in IBM tape drives, as it is ok to use non-HP LTO cartridges in HP tape drives.

That is because of the LTO standard and compatibility.

Dear sirs,

Can you clarify, is this ok to use non-IBM branded LTO tapes in a IBM Library?

I'm using TS4300 tape lib, and want to add few tapes. Is it critical to buy IBM-branded 02XW568L instead of Lenovo/HPE ones?

LTO itself says it's ok: That's why LTO specifications are open format, designed for interoperability from among multiple competing vendors. These vendors submit their products to compatibility testing to ensure vendor functionality so that an LTO technology from one vendor can be used on a drive provided by another. It's become the de-facto standard for medium-tier storage needs.

But no mentions from IBM i've found so far.

Dear sirs,

Can you clarify, is this ok to use non-IBM branded LTO tapes in a IBM Library?

I'm using TS4300 tape lib, and want to add few tapes. Is it critical to buy IBM-branded 02XW568L instead of Lenovo/HPE ones?

LTO itself says it's ok: That's why LTO specifications are open format, designed for interoperability from among multiple competing vendors. These vendors submit their products to compatibility testing to ensure vendor functionality so that an LTO technology from one vendor can be used on a drive provided by another. It's become the de-facto standard for medium-tier storage needs.

But no mentions from IBM i've found so far.

"Official" is how you choose to interpret it to meet your beliefs.

One statement is "To ensure that your IBM Ultrium tape drive conforms to IBM specifications for reliability, use only IBM LTO Ultrium tape cartridges. You can use other LTO-certified data cartridges, but they might not meet the standards of reliability that are established by IBM. The IBM LTO Ultrium data cartridge cannot be interchanged with the media used in other IBM non-LTO Ultrium tape products."

If you want to buy other brands then the only important part is: "You can use other LTO-certified data cartridges".

If you want to stick to IBM only then the "reliability" word comes into play.

The only part that is totally obfuscation is "cannot be interchanged with the media used in other IBM non-LTO".  Notice it says "other IBM non-LTO"?  It does not say "other non-IBM LTO".  This does a fine job of throwing off those who believe they are speed readers.  I choose to interpret this statement as you'll have a devil of a time trying exchange data between a LTO 10 and a 1/4" tape cartridge.  But maybe that's wrong as in:  Is there such a thing as a non LTO Ultrium cartridge?

https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/ts4300-tape-library?topic=reference-lto-media

Dear sirs,

Can you clarify, is this ok to use non-IBM branded LTO tapes in a IBM Library?

I'm using TS4300 tape lib, and want to add few tapes. Is it critical to buy IBM-branded 02XW568L instead of Lenovo/HPE ones?

LTO itself says it's ok: That's why LTO specifications are open format, designed for interoperability from among multiple competing vendors. These vendors submit their products to compatibility testing to ensure vendor functionality so that an LTO technology from one vendor can be used on a drive provided by another. It's become the de-facto standard for medium-tier storage needs.

But no mentions from IBM i've found so far.

"Official" is how you choose to interpret it to meet your beliefs.

One statement is "To ensure that your IBM Ultrium tape drive conforms to IBM specifications for reliability, use only IBM LTO Ultrium tape cartridges. You can use other LTO-certified data cartridges, but they might not meet the standards of reliability that are established by IBM. The IBM LTO Ultrium data cartridge cannot be interchanged with the media used in other IBM non-LTO Ultrium tape products."

If you want to buy other brands then the only important part is: "You can use other LTO-certified data cartridges".

If you want to stick to IBM only then the "reliability" word comes into play.

The only part that is totally obfuscation is "cannot be interchanged with the media used in other IBM non-LTO".  Notice it says "other IBM non-LTO"?  It does not say "other non-IBM LTO".  This does a fine job of throwing off those who believe they are speed readers.  I choose to interpret this statement as you'll have a devil of a time trying exchange data between a LTO 10 and a 1/4" tape cartridge.  But maybe that's wrong as in:  Is there such a thing as a non LTO Ultrium cartridge?

https://www.ibm.com/docs/en/ts4300-tape-library?topic=reference-lto-media

Dear sirs,

Can you clarify, is this ok to use non-IBM branded LTO tapes in a IBM Library?

I'm using TS4300 tape lib, and want to add few tapes. Is it critical to buy IBM-branded 02XW568L instead of Lenovo/HPE ones?

LTO itself says it's ok: That's why LTO specifications are open format, designed for interoperability from among multiple competing vendors. These vendors submit their products to compatibility testing to ensure vendor functionality so that an LTO technology from one vendor can be used on a drive provided by another. It's become the de-facto standard for medium-tier storage needs.

But no mentions from IBM i've found so far.

Dear sirs,

Can you clarify, is this ok to use non-IBM branded LTO tapes in a IBM Library?

I'm using TS4300 tape lib, and want to add few tapes. Is it critical to buy IBM-branded 02XW568L instead of Lenovo/HPE ones?

LTO itself says it's ok: That's why LTO specifications are open format, designed for interoperability from among multiple competing vendors. These vendors submit their products to compatibility testing to ensure vendor functionality so that an LTO technology from one vendor can be used on a drive provided by another. It's become the de-facto standard for medium-tier storage needs.

But no mentions from IBM i've found so far.

Hi Marcus,

You didn't specify the LTO generation but lets assume it's recent. While the LTO consortium is IBM/HPE and Quantum, IBM is currently, and has been for a few years, the only manufacturer of LTO Drives. This means that all LTO tapes work with IBM drives and as for media I think the only companies licensed to produce LTO 10 tapes are Fujifilm and Sony. 

Here is what is written in the IBM FAQ regarding LTO 9 ( apr2022) 

Q: Can the IBM LTO 9 Tape drive read other vendor written tapes?

A: Yes, All LTO8 and LTO9 media is readable and rewritable by the IBM LTO9 tape drive.

And the FAQ for LTO 10 (may 2025)

Q: Can the IBM LTO-10 Tape drive read other vendor written tapes?

A: Yes, LTO-10 media is readable and rewritable by the IBM LTO-10 tape drive.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Dear sirs,

Can you clarify, is this ok to use non-IBM branded LTO tapes in a IBM Library?

I'm using TS4300 tape lib, and want to add few tapes. Is it critical to buy IBM-branded 02XW568L instead of Lenovo/HPE ones?

LTO itself says it's ok: That's why LTO specifications are open format, designed for interoperability from among multiple competing vendors. These vendors submit their products to compatibility testing to ensure vendor functionality so that an LTO technology from one vendor can be used on a drive provided by another. It's become the de-facto standard for medium-tier storage needs.

But no mentions from IBM i've found so far.