IBM Tape Solutions for Storage Area Networks and FICON

Chapter 4. Tape building blocks 85

Multi-Path Architecture makes sharing possible by letting you partition the library’s storage

slots and tape drives into logical libraries. Servers can then run separate applications for each

logical library. This partitioning capability extends the potential centralization of storage that

the SAN enables. The Multi-Path Architecture is compliant with the following attachment

interfaces:

򐂰 SCSI

򐂰 Fibre Channel

Regardless of whether it is partitioned, the 3582 Ultrium Tape Library is certified for SAN

solutions (such as LAN-free backup).

The Multi-Path Architecture also lets you configure an additional control path when the library

is not partitioned. A control path is a logical path into the library through which a server sends

standard SCSI Medium Changer commands to control the library. An additional control path

reduces the possibility that failure in one control path will cause the entire library to be

unavailable. Use of the control path failover feature further reduces that possibility.

4.2.6 IBM 3583 Ultrium Scalable tape library

The forth member of the IBM Ultrium family is the IBM 3583 Ultrium Scalable tape library,

shown in Figure 4-3. It is a high-performance, reliable, scalable tape subsystem. It can

accommodate from one drive up to a maximum of six drives, and provides space for up to 72

Ultrium cartridges. Designed for tape automation, the IBM 3583 tape library can attach to:

򐂰 AS/400 and iSeries server with OS/400 V4R4 or later

򐂰 RS/6000, RS/6000 SP, and pSeries servers with AIX 4.3.2

򐂰 Sun servers with Solaris 2.6, Solaris 7 or 8.

򐂰 HP A, L, N and V-class servers with HP-UX 11.0

򐂰 Netfinity, xSeries, and other PC servers supporting Microsoft Windows NT 4, Windows

2000 or Red Hat Linux 7.0 (either 2.2.16 or 2.4.2 kernel)

The IBM 3583 tape library houses from one to six IBM 3580 Ultrium tape drives, which each

have a native data transfer rate of 15 MB/sec and a cartridge capacity of 100 GB. The drives

feature data compression hardware using an adaptation of the IBM LZ1 compression

algorithm, which provides an effective data rate of up to 30 MB/sec and a cartridge capacity

of up to 200 GB (with 2:1 compression) on IBM Ultrium media. Multiple drive models provide

additional enhanced functions such as faster transfer of data, simultaneous backup,

concurrent read-write operations, and fault tolerance. Optionally, it is possible to have an

internal SCSI-fibre convertor that provides burst data rates up to 200 MB/sec and whose

shortwave GBIC attaches to 2 GB/s Fibre Channel infrastructures as well as 1 GB/s

infrastructures.

Units shipped after 31 August 2001 have an integrated remote management unit (RMU) that

allow SNMP monitoring of the library and provide Web access to a StorWatch Specialist for

the 3583. The StorWatch 3583 Specialist provides the ability to perform all the functions that

can be performed from the library’s operator control panel from a suitable Web browser. The

RMU is available as an upgrade for earlier 3583 libraries.

The IBM 3583 models feature cartridge storage capacities of 18, 36 and 72 cartridges, that is,

capacities of 1.8 TB, 3.6 TB, and 7.2 TB of uncompressed data. Assuming a 2:1

compression, the largest model of the 3583, the Model L72, can store 14.4 TB of data.

86 IBM Tape Solutions for Storage Area Networks and FICON

Model description

The IBM 3583 Ultrium Scalable tape library has three different models. The major difference

between the models is the number of storage cells shipped with the initial order:

򐂰 IBM 3583 Model L18: Supplied with space for 18 cartridges

򐂰 IBM 3583 Model L36: Supplied with space for 36 cartridges

򐂰 IBM 3583 Model L72: Supplied with space for 72 cartridges

Figure 4-3 IBM 3583 Ultrium Scalable tape library

Table 4-2 summarizes the 3583 models.

Table 4-2 IBM 3583 Ultrium Scalable tape library model summary

The model numbering is an indication of how many cartridge slots the model originally

shipped with. However, all of the IBM 3583 models are the same physical size, and the two

smaller models, L18 and L36, can be field upgraded to hold up to 72 cartridges by the

addition of upgrade features. The IBM 3583 may be stand-alone or, with an optional feature,

housed in a rack.

Model Cartridge slots Data capacity

(native)

Data capacity

(compressed)

IBM Ultrium

Tape Drives

L18 18

a

1.8 TB 3.6 TB 1 to 6

L36 36

b

3.2 TB 7.4 TB 1 to 6

L72 72

c

7.2 TB 14.4 TB 1 to 6

a. Plus one I/O station slot

b. Plus one I/O station slot

c. Including 12 I/O station slots