DLT7000 and DLT8000 Compatibility

[Mihails Nikitins]

Hi,

I have SureStore 20/700 tape library with DLT8000 streamer and DLT Autoloader 718 with DLT7000 streamer.
DLT8000 streamer can read tapes written on DLT7000. However, DLT7000 'chews' tapes from DLT8000 for some 15 minutes, even if I simply place the tape into DLT7000 streamer. It seems to be hardware level incompatibility. If I format the tape on DLT7000 and then add something on DLT8000, the tape also becomes unusable on DLT7000. If I request reformatting such a tape in Data Protector, DLT7000 streamer 'chews' it 15 minutes again (LCD shows 'loading') and then (after a timeout?) formats it without any problems.

Question. Is it possible to operate DLT8000 streamer in DLT7000 mode (HP-UX, Data Protector 5.1)?

Also, what is the main difference between DLT7000 and DLT8000? Are the capacities different?

Many thanks and points in advance for you ideas!

BR,
Mihails Nikitins

[Leon Rosier]

For all details, have a look at the following url'":
http://www.quantum.com/NR/rdonlyres/2BC8AEB5-4FAD-4A3E-B325-B81D929F162B/0/dlt7000.pdf

http://www.quantum.com/NR/rdonlyres/7225D7FE-D6EF-4387-B865-FC4A77992E06/0/DLT8000DS618.pdf

DLT8000 drive is 40/80 GB and DLT7000 is 35/70 GB
DLT8000 write with a higher density than dlt 7000, that's why it can write more data on a dlt type IV tape. It is however backwards (read/write) compatible with DLT7000. This means that if a tape is initialized in a DLT7000 drive, the dlt8000 will recognize this and can write and read in "dlt7000 mode" on this media. So in my opinion, when you fill your dlt8000 library with tapes that were initialized in a dlt 7000 drive, your dlt 8000 drive(S) will operate in dlt7000 mode. (Correct me if i'm wrong)

Leon

[Andrew Rutter]

hi.

yes leon is correct.

They are backwardly compatible.
You can read the 7000 media on the 8000 but not the media created on the DLT8000 on the 7000.

Andy

[Mihails Nikitins]

Thanks for your replies!

I don't close the case because my DLT8000 still doesn't write in DLT7000 mode on the tapes formatted on DLT7000 streamers. Once more, I format the tape on DLT7000, add files on it on DLT8000, place the tape back into DLT7000 and then the tape is not readable there. Long 'chewing' of such a tape indicates hardware incompatibility.

BR,
Mihails

[Dave Wherry]

If you have a tape that was formatted on the DLT8000 and want to reuse it on the DLT7000, use the DLT8000 and just tar a file to it. You will then be able to use it on the DLT7000.
Keep in mind you should then delete the tape from Data Protector because it will still think it is valid or available.
I usually tried to keep it simple and have a DLT8000 pool and a DLT7000 pool. Not try to mix them.