StorageWorks DLT 40/80 and 20/40

[Koji Yung]

Can the DLT 40/80 drive backup on 20/40 tape?

Can the DLT 40/80 drive install on Proliant 5500?

Can the DLT 20/40 drive install on ML570?

Please help!

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi,
DLT 40/80 (DLT 8000) and DLT 20/40 (DLT 4000) use the same media (DLT IV). If a media has been used in a 4000 drive before, a DLT 8000 drive will continue using the DLT 4000 format if the "Density override" button is not used. A media in DLT 4000 format can't be read in a DLT 4000 drive.

If you have the correct drivers installed and use compatible SCSI cards there should not be any problems to use the drives as you describe.

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Sorry,

Of course it should be:

A media in DLT 8000 format can't be read in a DLT 4000 drive.

[madoc · Accepted solution]

1 Both drives use the same tapes anyway; the DLTIV ones (C5141F)
http://h20015.www2.hp.com/hub_search/document.jhtml?lc=en&docName=lpg50139

http://h20015.www2.hp.com/hub_search/document.jhtml?lc=en&docName=lpg50259

If you have written a tape on a DLT40 and want to read it on a DLT80, then you will have to alter the density settings via the button on the front of the drive (the manual explains all of this).

2. The 5500 has an integrated SCSI controller that varies between models. You don't say which yours is. There are also numerous options. While the 20/40 was a supported option, the 40/80 never was. I also do not believe that any 5500 came with an LVD interface. However, that said the things don't run that fast anyway so SE will be fine. So cutting a long story short, I guess the official line is that it's likely to be HP unsupported (old server/ new drive combo - never tested) but I don't see why it wouldn't fit internally or run ok.

3. This is old drive/new server and again unlikely to be officially supported. The 20/40 is an old single ended drive with an older (50 pin) connector whereas the server has a dual channel LVD interface and possibly a smartarray.
Plugging your SE device on will reduce the speed of the bus for starters, but apart from that it should be okay for mounting internally as it's phyically the same size as the supported 40/80 drive.


As an aside the best way to ensure supportability, in most cases, is to install the recommended additonal SCSI HBA and attach to that.

[Koji Yung]

Thanks John and Leif!

but can I force the DLT 8000 drive to backup in DLT 4000 format (if the tape is unformatted)?

[Leif Halvarsson_2]

Hi,

Yes, you can use the "Density select" or "Density override" switch at the left of the front panel (I don't remember exact what it is called).

[madoc]

yup.

just select the right density from the front panel before you start.

Have you got a manual, there is one here:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DocumentIndex.jsp?locale=en_US&contentType=SupportManual&docIndexId=179111&prodTypeId=12169&prodSeriesId=42869〈=en&cc=us