Page 3 - List of Tables
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 3 List of Tables Table 1 DDS/DAT Drive Types and Basic Characteristics ............................................................................ 6 Table 2 - Media Types and Interoperability..............................................................................
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Page 5 - Introduction; PowerVault
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 5 1 Introduction This document describes media compatibility, handling for all Dell TM PowerVault TM DDS/DAT Drives. For information regarding use and operation of the PowerVault Tape Drive, please consult the User’s Guide located on http://support.dell.com .
Page 6 - Dell PowerVault DDS/DAT Drives and Media; Drive Types and Basic Characteristics – DDS/DAT Drives; Capacity
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 6 2 Dell PowerVault DDS/DAT Drives and Media 2.1 Drive Types and Basic Characteristics – DDS/DAT Drives Figure 1- Dell PowerVault 100T DAT72 External Figure 2- Dell PowerVault 100T DDS4 External Figure 3 - Dell PowerVault 120T DDS4 Autoloader Capacity (native/compres...
Page 7 - Media types used in Dell PowerVault DDS/DAT drives
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 7 2.2 Media types used in Dell PowerVault DDS/DAT drives Cartridge Type Part # Dell DAT72 Dell DDS4 Dell DDS4 Autoloader DDS3 Drive DDS2 Drive DDS1 Drive Figure 4 - DAT72 Media 340-7240 YES NO NO NO NO NO Figure 5 - DDS4 Media 340-8701 YES YES YES NO NO NO Figure 6 -...
Page 8 - All LED’s will flash
2.3 Media Color Schemes and description • Dell DDS/DAT media and most other manufacturer’s media are black and marked with the DDS/DAT label. (See Table 2 for figures.) • Dell recommends the use of Dell branded media in all Dell PowerVault DDS/DAT drives. Note: DDS/DAT tapes are normally black, but ...
Page 9 - Standalone Drive LED; Green; Table 3 Legend
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 9 3 Cleaning & LED/LCD Definitions 3.1 Standalone Drive LED Figure 8 - LED Diagram LED codes on Dell DAT/DDS tape drives CLEAN LED ( Green ) MEDIA LED ( Green ) DRIVE LED ( Amber ) Description Solid On Off Off Cleaning recommended Slow Flashing Off Off Cleaning r...
Page 10 - Autoloader LCD and Magazine Layout
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 10 3.2 Autoloader LCD and Magazine Layout Figure 9 - DDS4 Autoloader LCD The autoloader will accept a cleaning cartridge only in Slot 8 of the magazine. See the figure below for the magazine slot layout. You can use the cleaning tape in slot 8 with the magazine fully...
Page 11 - NOTE
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 11 3.3 Cleaning Cycles Regularly cleaning DDS/DAT drives helps in long-term reliability and should be conducted on a scheduled cycle as well as when requested by the drive. The recommended cleaning interval for the drive is 50 tape motion hours which is indicated whe...
Page 12 - Drive Type
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 12 3.5 Identifying Exhausted/Expired Cleaning Tape Characteristics The cleaning tape for a DDS/DAT drive only moves in one direction. Looking at the figure below if all of the tape resides on the left roller, then you have a new cleaning tape. If all the tape resides...
Page 13 - Stuck Tapes; Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics also includes a; Media Eject; test that can be run to eject the media in the; How to perform a device reset on Dell PowerVault DDS/DAT
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 13 4 Stuck Tapes Dell standalone tape drives have the capability to reset the drive in the event of a stuck tape or other non-responsive drive issues. Attempting this drive reset may or may not help in removing a stuck tape. Note: Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics also incl...
Page 14 - Diagnostics; Media test; Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 14 5 Diagnostics 5.1 Troubleshooting Cleaning/Read/Write errors If Clean, Read, or Write errors are reported by backup software try alternate pieces of media before replacing tape drives. If there are invalid media errors reported by the drive via the LED/LCD then al...
Page 15 - Drive Insert test; Use the; Tape Device Firmware Check; firmware can fix many types of known issues.
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 15 Tests included in Dell PowerEdge Diagnostics are the following: 1. The media can be used to determine if errors are related to tape hardware or certain pieces of media. • The media test can be run in full mode which will fill 80 percent of the tape. • The media te...
Page 16 - Erasing a prewritten DDS/DAT Tape
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 16 6 Erasing a prewritten DDS/DAT Tape Write-protection will not prevent a cartridge from being erased by bulk-erasure or degaussing. You may bulk erase DDS/DAT format cartridges. The cartridge will be usable; however the previous data will be lost. NOTE : The erase ...
Page 17 - Media Handling; Perform a Thorough Inspection; Inspect the cartridge for damage before using or storing it.; Handle the Cartridge Carefully; Always ship or store a cartridge in a jewel case.
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 17 7 Media Handling 7.1 Perform a Thorough Inspection • Inspect the cartridge's packaging to determine potential rough handling. • When inspecting a cartridge, make sure there is no blockage over the open holes. These are cartridge sensors to identify the type of tap...
Page 18 - Cartridge Storage Conditions; Environmental Factor; Cartridge life
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 18 • Never ship a cartridge in a commercial shipping envelope. Always place it in a box or package. • If you ship the cartridge in a cardboard box or a box of a sturdy material, ensure the following: o Place the cartridge in polyethylene plastic wrap or bags to prote...
Page 19 - Media Do’s and Don’ts; DO; Store cartridges in their protective cases
Dell DDS/DAT Media Handbook Page 19 o A single media under optimum conditions can run around 250 backup, restore or verify operations. • Media Coating - Patented Ceramic Coated Metal Particle • Archival life – 30 years. 7.6 Media Do’s and Don’ts DO DON’T Store cartridges in their protective cases To...