Tape Storage

Hello, to use LTO9 tapes it is necessary to pre-format it in the libraries. After pre-formatting them, is this step not done again in the useful life of the tapes? Or when else is this preformatting necessary? Where could I find more information about this? Because I am having several doubts, for example. What happens if it is a Stand alone or a 7226. How is the preformat given? Reggards

Hi Miguel, there's a full section about LTO9 initialization at the following link on lto.org -> https://www.lto.org/faqs-about-lto/

Hopefully that helps to clarify.

@Miguel Peralta

Carlos has pointed you to the document that explains this Optimization for LTO9 tapes. This should be referenced to better understand this feature. I just read the information therein to confirm that it completely addresses your questions. I will provide some additional information beyond what the reference website shows. This information can be found in the LTO SCSI Reference ( https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/6490249) in section 4.1 Media Optimization (LTO9+).

Media optimization is a new feature for the LTO9 tape drive with L9/LZ media.

The increased number of tracks used to write data on tape requires greater precision. Media optimization creates a referenced calibration for each cartridge that enables the tape drive's intelligent alignment to optimize data placement. LTO-9 media optimization enhances LTO tape long-term media durability.

It is important to consider when media optimization is performed:

1. 1. Media optimization is performed on first load of L9/LZ media during initialization.
   2. Recommendation is to perform first load in the location of deployment, which should be in a stable environment that meets the recommended environmental specification (see Product Document for details).
   3. Media optimization is a one-time operation that can be completed on any drive in the environment, enabling the media to be used across all tape drives without further optimization. 

Other considerations for media optimization:

1. 1. Media optimization averages [20] minutes per first load of a cartridge to a tape drive. Although most media optimizations will complete within 60 minutes some media optimizations may take up to 2 hours.
   2. Interruption of the process is not recommended.
   3. A different mount will not necessarily improve the time to complete the one-time optimization.

From this information you can see that it doesn't matter if the LTO9 drive is installed in a library, a server, or a stand-alone bridge box. The Media Optimization is performed automatically by the LTO9 tape drive. Since this calibration optimizes the drives intelligent alignment for optimum data placement, it is only needed to be performed one time in the environment in which it is to be used.

The SCSI Reference also describes an optional means for forcing the drive to re-optimize the cartridge and Best Practices related to media optimization. However, there is no need to re-optimize a cartridge.

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Kevin Butt
IBM, Tape Development Ecosystem
Tape SCSI Architect, T10 Representative
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