DDS1 Tape Media

[Ryan_4]

Does HP support the use of 20 meter DDS tape cartridges on a DDS1 tape unit? What, if any problems might be encountered if they don't support such short tapes. I noticed that HP is now recommending using a cleaning cartridge 5 times instead of 3 times in some of it newer documentation -- does anyone know why?

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi,
If I remember correct the DDS cartridge was 60m and DDS1 90m. The DDS1 drive was compatible with DDS cartridge.

[Michael Tully]

The minimum tape length for the DDS1 drive is a 60 metre. Nothing less will work.
Tape drives should never be cleaned unless the cleaning light comes on. Doing so more often actually wears out the tape heads due to The abrasive substance on the tape.

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi,
About drive cleaning.

DLT and LTO drives should never be cleaned unless the drive request for it but DDS drives has much shorter cleaning intervals and should be cleaned on regular basis (at least with older DDS drives). The recommended intervals is different for different models, check the manual for your drive.

[Eugeny Brychkov]

DAT drives should be cleaned after each 5 full backups or 20 tape pulling hours. Example: clean drive once every Saturday is you're doing every-working-day full backup.
Use 5 consecutive drive cleanings if it experiences problems
Eugeny