Which type of Tape support HP Storage G2 Tape Autoloader

[Sazzad]

Hallo Deft,

We are using ULTRIUM LTO3 tape(400/800 GB) for our HP Storage G2 Tape Autoloader.

But, planning to buy some LTO-5/LTO-6 tape.

I have seen from following link that, this type of Autoloader does support upto LTO-6 tapes:

http://www8.hp.com/us/en/products/tape-automation/product-detail.html?oid=3319912

I am expecting expert opinion to be confirmed!

[Mr_NKC]

Hello,

The link you've provided clearly states that the G2 Autoloader supports LTO-6 tapes when u have a LTO-6 Ultrium 6250 tape drive installed. Since you've mentioned that you are presently using LTO-3 tapes with your autoloader, I presume it has either a LTO-3 Ultrium 920 or LTO-4 Ultrium 1760 installed. 

Therefore, in order to be able to use LTO-6 tapes with your Autoloader, you would have to first install a LTO-6 Ultrium 6250 tape drive. 

Hope this answers your query.

[Sazzad]

Hello NKC,

Thanks for the detailed information. Would you like to confirm bellow queries please!

1. After installing LTO-6 Ultrium 6250 tape drive in my autoloader, still i can use LTO-3 tapes including LTO-6 in a same time?

2. Please share recommended procedure for installing LTO-6 Ultrium 6250 tape drive for OS 2012R2.

[Torsten.]

1) no. A LTO-6 drive can read LTO-6, -5 and -4 tapes 2) install latest loader firmware, shutdown and swap the drives

[Sazzad]

That means, if we install LTO-6 drive we can't used LTO-3 tapes.

Because we have many old LTO-3 tapes as "data archieve".

I am afraid after ugrading to LTO-6 drive we will be unable to restore data using LTO-3!

Any idea or workaround solution that HP can suggest?

[Mr_NKC]

Hello,

Since you've got many LTO-3 tapes, I would suggest upgrading to an  LTO-5 drive instead of an LTO-6 drive. Thereby, you would be able read all the LTO-3 tapes that you've got. 

[Torsten.]

IMHO you have the choice:

a) get a LTO-5 drive

b) keep the old loader and get a new loader with LTO-6