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SDLT Drives - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Super DLTtape Technology?
Super DLTtape technology is the next generation DLTtape technology platform, the current industry standard for data storage.
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What is the basis for Super DLTtape technology?
Super DLTtape technology is based on Laser Guided Magnetic Recording (LGMR) technology, which uses a unique combination of the best optical and magnetic technologies to dramatically increase the number of recording tracks on the data-bearing surface of the media.
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Will Super DLTtape be backward compatible with current DLTtape products?
Super DLTtape technology will offer backward-read compatibility as an option, for DLT4000, DLT7000 and DLT8000 series drives and their DLTtape Type IV media.
Media Format BRC Transfer Rate
- (40GB) DLT8000 4.0 MB/second
- (35GB) DLT7000 3.5 MB/second
- (20GB) DLT4000 1.5 MB/second
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How does SuperDLT compare to LTO Ultrium?
SDLT is the next generation of products from Quantum. The initial version of SDLT will be similar to Ultrium with a native capacity of 110GB per cartridge and a native data transfer rate of 11MB/sec for SDLT; LTO Ultrium has a native capacity of 100GB and a native transfer rate of 15MB/sec.
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What unique technologies are incorporated in Super DLTtape?
In addition to LGMR, SDLTtape technology incorporates five unique and highly enabling technologies. All these technologies will be incorporated into the first generation of SDLT technology in order to provide a highly stable, seamless and robust platform.
- Pivoting Optical Servo (POS) - An optically assisted servo system designed for high duty cycle applications, POS eliminates the need for tape to be preformatted, which decreases cost and increases user convenience. By implementing an optical servo on the unused backside of the media, SDLT technology can utilize 100% of the front side for data recording. This contrasts with traditional magnetic servo tape products, this limiting the available space for data recording.
- Magneto Resistive Cluster Heads (MRC) - A cluster of small, cost effective MR heads densely packed together using advanced thin film processing technology that can deliver higher data transfer rates and capacity than traditional MR heads of equal size.
- New High Efficiency PRML Channel - Improving on PRML technology traditionally used in disk drives, advanced Partial Response Maximum Likelihood (PRML) channel technology was co-developed with Lucent Technology to bring new levels of performance and capacity to high performance linear tape drives. This provides high encoding efficiency and recording densities for greater capacity and performance and enable SDLT technology to substantially increase transfer rates and capacity.
- Advanced Metal Powder (AMP) Media - A state-of-the-art media using durable metal powder technology for storing very high densities of data. AMP will include the optical guiding targets on the backside.
- Positive Engagement - A highly robust tape leader-buckling mechanism for high duty cycle automated environments.
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What is involved in the new Pivoting Optical Servo (POS) technology, and what is its benefit?
POS combines high density magnetic read/write data recording with laser servo guiding to provide an order of magnitude track count increase over current DLTtape products. The benefits include:
- No media pre-formatting required
- No extra read/write head elements required
- 100% of the tape is now available for data recording
- Indelible non-magnetic servo tracks
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What happens if I put a 220GB formatted cartridge in a SDLT 320 drive?
The SDLT 320 tape drive will continue to read and write to that cartridge in SDLT 220 format.
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Can I use a DLT Cleaning Tape in a SDLT drive?
No, never use a DLT cleaning tape in a SDLT drive; DLT cleaning tapes are incompatible with SDLT heads. You can purchase a cleaning tape through Breece Hill.
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How do I upgrade the firmware on my SDLT Drive?
First, you will need the SDLT Update utility from Quantum. You can get it Here You will need one SDLT tape that you can write the firmware upgrade file to the tape. You will then need to get the firmware from our site (link here). Next, start the SDLT Update program. It will automatically scan your SCSI Bus when you start it up. Select the drive that you have the tape you wish to write firmware to in it. When you have selected the drive, click on FUP tape. When it asks for the file point it to where you saved the fup file from our site. If you're not certain of the steps, please use the SDLT Update programs Help file by pressing F1 within the program.
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What is the storage capacity of a SDLT drive?
The storage capacity of a SDLT-220 drive is 110MB Native and 220MB Compressed. The storage capacity of a SDLT-320 drive is 160MB Native and 320MB Compressed.
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Where can I find drivers for my SDLT Drive?
You can find them Here.
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