Hello Everyone,
I have an HP MSL G3 LTO3, 24 slot tape library. My IT admin buddy told me this weekend I should be able to use higher capacity tapes, such as LTO-4, 5 or even 6. Is this true? Before I order samples to try, wanted to see if this has a chance or was my buddy talking out of his rear end?
I use BE 2012.
Thank you!
3 Spice ups
No, they can only go backwards. So, an LTO3 drive can read/write LTO2 and LTO3 and read LTO1
See here: http://www.lto.org/About/faq.html
5 Spice ups
NO. The LTO-3 will work with LTO-1 (Read), LTO-2 (Read and Write) and the LTO-3 that you are currently using. A LTO-6 with read and write LTO-5 and LTO-6 tapes and read LTO-4 tapes.
From Quantum
Quantum LTO-3 HH tape drives read the following media:
4 Spice ups
rsturba
May 28, 2013, 1:12pm
4
Rule of thumb is that LTO’s can read and write two versions back. Past two versions will read only.
1 Spice up
@RSturba - I think that your message is unclear. As @Rich7647 writes, LTO will read/write one generation back and will read-only 2 generations back. Hence LTO-6 will read/write LTO-5 and read-only LTO-4. I am not sure if you meant to state this, and wanted to clarify for future readers.
b0b
May 29, 2013, 9:09am
6
Indeed, as mentioned quite a few times above, your buddy has been flapping his rear end a bit. The tapes may be physically similar, will probably load, but will not read or write.
rsturba
May 29, 2013, 10:51am
7
Jay (Iron Mountain):
@RSturba - I think that your message is unclear. As @Rich7647 writes, LTO will read/write one generation back and will read-only 2 generations back. Hence LTO-6 will read/write LTO-5 and read-only LTO-4. I am not sure if you meant to state this, and wanted to clarify for future readers.
My information was based upon information what was told to us from HP during support calls. In the midst of having issues with our LTO3 and LTO5 autoloader not long ago, we were weighing in on whether to purchase an LTO6 and also what to do with our aging LTO3. At that time, we were told the information as I stated earlier from HP tech support. If this information is in fact incorrect, then I apologize.
Kenny8416
May 29, 2013, 10:54am
8
I’m sure you’ve got the message by now, but the answer is NO. I know this because I accidentally ordered LTO4 for our drive, (not long after I started and y previous place had LTO4!)
The drive will accept the tape, but it will not be recognised as a valid media. Sadly I had already labelled them in big black marker so couldn’t return them - oops!
b0b
May 29, 2013, 11:12am
10
RSturba:
Jay (Iron Mountain):
@RSturba - I think that your message is unclear. As @Rich7647 writes, LTO will read/write one generation back and will read-only 2 generations back. Hence LTO-6 will read/write LTO-5 and read-only LTO-4. I am not sure if you meant to state this, and wanted to clarify for future readers.
My information was based upon information what was told to us from HP during support calls. In the midst of having issues with our LTO3 and LTO5 autoloader not long ago, we were weighing in on whether to purchase an LTO6 and also what to do with our aging LTO3. At that time, we were told the information as I stated earlier from HP tech support. If this information is in fact incorrect, then I apologize.
Nah, the information was 100% correct, I think Jay just meant to clarify a bit.
