Abstract IBM TS2900 Tape Autoloader for Lenovo is an entry-level compact 1U tape unit that offers IBM tape reliability, density, and performance for entry-level and compact tape libraries at a cost effective price. This product guide provides essential pre-sales information on the TS2900 Tape Autoloader that is available from Lenovo, its key features and specifications, components and options, and configuration guidelines. This guide is intended for technical specialists, sales specialists, sales engineers, and IT architects who want to learn more about the TS2900 Tape Autoloader and consider its use in IT solutions. Change History Changes in the March 13 update: Added IBM TS2900 Tape Autoloader w/LTO8 HH SAS Added Ultrium 8 tape media (5-pack) Updated configurator links Introduction IBM TS2900 Tape Autoloader for Lenovo (Machine Type 6171) is an entry-level compact 1U tape unit that offers IBM tape reliability, density, and performance for entry-level and compact tape libraries at a cost-effective price. With a capacity of nine cartridges, the TS2900 Tape Autoloader is a rack-mountable or deskside unit that contains a single IBM LTO Ultrium half-high SAS tape drive. The choice of the tape drives includes IBM LTO Ultrium 8 Half-High SAS Tape Drive (Model S8H), IBM LTO Ultrium 7 Half-High SAS Tape Drive (Model S7H), IBM LTO Ultrium 6 Half-High SAS Tape Drive (Model S6H), or IBM LTO Ultrium 5 Half-High SAS Tape Drive (Model S5H). The TS2900 is an ideal solution if you need an entry-level larger capacity or higher performance tape backup with or without random access. The TS2900 is an excellent choice for tape automation for Lenovo servers. The TS2900 Tape Autoloader is shown in the following figure. Figure 1. TS2900 Tape Autoloader Did you know? The TS2900 Tape Autoloader uses patented high-density slot technology that allows you to maximize available backup storage capacity by offering the nine-cartridge magazine in only 1U of rack space. Featuring the latest LTO Ultrium 8 technology, the TS2900 Tape Autoloader provides up to 270 TB of compressed backup storage capacity. With IBM LTO Tape offerings that are available from Lenovo, Lenovo can be your trusted partner that offers "one stop shop" and single point of contact for delivery of leading edge technologies and innovations from Lenovo and other leading IT vendors. These offerings can satisfy the wide range of your end-to-end IT infrastructure needs, including handheld devices, notebooks, personal computers, servers, storage, networking, services, management software, and financing. Key features The TS2900 delivers the following features: An entry-level and compact tape library for high capacity, high performance, and high reliability. Adherence to LTO specifications. Support for one half-high LTO Ultrium 8, Ultrium 7, Ultrium 6, Ultrium 5, or Ultrium 6 SAS tape drive. Native cartridge capacity of up to 12 TB (Ultrium 8), 6 TB (Ultrium 7), up to TB (Ultrium 6), or up to TB (Ultrium 5). Native data transfer rate of up to 300 MB/s (Ultrium 8 or Ultrium 7), up to 160 MB/s (Ultrium 6), or up to 140 MB/s (Ultrium 5). One removable magazine that houses nine data cartridges (including one I/O station) to enable quick population of the tape library and ease the storage needs for media. A single I/O station to help support continuous library operations, while importing and exporting media with little or no disruption to library operation. A standard bar code reader with which you can operate the TS2900 in sequential (autoloader) or random (library) access mode. Mixed media support, including IBM LTO Ultrium 8, 7, 6, and 5 Write Once Read Many (WORM) media. Remote management capabilities to allow for administration of the TS2900 through a web interface. Optional Library Managed Encryption on LTO Ultrium 8, 7, 6, and 5 SAS tape drives with a Transparent LTO Encryption feature. Optional rack-mount kits, deskside covers, and extra cartridge magazines. A 6 Gbps SAS attachment for connection to select Lenovo servers that run Microsoft Windows and Linux server operating systems. Support from an extensive ecosystem of backup software vendors. The IBM LTO Ultrium Tape Drives include the following IBM LTO Ultrium features: Dual-stage head actuator The 16-channel actuator (LTO Ultrium 5 and 6) or 32-channel actuator (LTO Ultrium 7 and 8) provide precision head alignment to help support higher track density and improved data integrity. Independent tape loader and threader motors and positive pin retention These technologies help improve the reliability of loading and unloading a cartridge and retain the pin, even if tension is dropped. An independent loader motor, coupled with the positive pin retention, causes the tape to thread with a higher level of reliability. Graceful dynamic braking If there is a power failure, reel motors maintain tension and gradually decelerate instead of stopping abruptly, which helps reduce tape breakage, stretching, or loose tape wraps during a sudden power outage. Servo and track layout technology There are 6656 data tracks in Ultrium 8, 3584 data tracks in Ultrium 7, 2176 data tracks in Ultrium 6, and 1280 data tracks in Ultrium 5. The high-bandwidth servo system features a low mass servo to help more effectively track servo bands and improve data throughput with damaged media in less-than-optimal shock and vibration environments. Surface Control Guiding Mechanism IBM patented Surface Control Guiding Mechanism guides the tape along the tape path in the Ultrium 8, 7, 6, and 5 Tape Drives. This method uses the surface of the tape, rather than the edges, to control tape motion. This configuration helps reduce tape damage (especially to the edges of the tape) and tape debris, which comes from the damaged edges and can accumulate in the head area. Giant Magneto Resistive (GMR) head design (LTO Ultrium 7, 6, and 5 tape drives) IBM LTO Ultrium Tape Drives use GMR head technology with beveled contouring for reducing striction and friction. This head design was demonstrated in enterprise tape products to help minimize contact, edge damage, debris accumulation, and wear on the tape as it moves over the read/write heads. Tunneling magnetoresistive (TMR) head technology (LTO Ultrium 8 tape drives) IBM LTO Ultrium 8 Tape Drives use TMR head technology, which helps achieve increased storage capacity and high data integrity. Digital speed matching The LTO Ultrium Tape Drives perform dynamic speed matching to adjust the drive's native data rate as closely as possible to the net host data rate (after data compressibility is factored out). This matching helps reduce the number of backhitch repositions and improve throughput performance. Robust drive components optimized for automation environments To help enhance reliability and prolong the life of the drives, some of the most robust components available are used, such as an all metal clutch, steel ball bearings in the loader, robust leader block design, and a single circuit card. Power management The power management function of the Ultrium 8, 7, and 6 Tape Drives controls the drive electronics to be completely turned off or in a low-power mode when the circuit functions are not needed for drive operation. Adaptive read equalization This equalization automatically compensates for dynamic changes in readback signal response. Dynamic amplitude asymmetry compensation This compensation dynamically optimizes readback signals for linear readback response from MR read head transducers. Separate writing of multiple filemarks Separate writing of multiple filemarks evokes any write command of two or more filemarks to cause a separate data set to be written that contains all filemarks after the first filemark. It helps improve performance if a subsequent append overwrites somewhere after the first filemark. This change helps prevent the need to rewrite data sets that contain customer data and the first filemark if such an append occurs. LTO Data Compression (LTO-DC) The Ultrium LTO uses LTO-DC, which is an implementation of a Lempel-Ziv class 1 (LZ-1) data compression algorithm. LTO-DC is an extension of Adaptive Lossless Data Compression (ALDC) and an improvement over previous IBM lossless compression algorithms. IBM patented "Scheme-Swapping" compression looks ahead at incoming data and determines the most efficient storage method (ALDC or pass-through mode) to help optimize data compression and increase data throughput. LTO Cartridge Memory (LTO-CM) Contained within the LTO Ultrium data cartridge is the LTO-CM, which is a passive, contactless silicon storage device that is physically a part of the cartridge. The LTO-CM holds information about that specific cartridge, the media in the cartridge, and the data on the media. The storage capacity of the Generation 8, 7, and 6 LTO-CM is 16320 bytes, which is double capacity of Generation 5 LTO-CM 8160 bytes. Communication between the drive and the LTO-CM is via a low-level RF field transmitted by the drive to the cartridge. Statistical Analysis and Reporting System (SARS) The Ultrium Tape Drive uses SARS to help isolate failures between media and hardware. SARS uses the cartridge performance history that is saved in the CM module and the drive performance history that is kept in the drive flash EEPROM to help determine the likely cause of failure. SARS causes the drive to request a cleaner tape, mark the media as degraded, and indicate that the hardware is degraded. Components and connectors The following figure shows the front of the TS2900 Tape Autoloader. Figure 2. Front view of the TS2900 Tape Autoloader The following figure shows the rear of theTS2900 Tape Autoloader. Figure 3. Rear view of the TS2900 Tape Autoloader System specifications The following table lists the TS2900 Tape Autoloader system specifications. * With compression ratio. * With 2:1 compression ratio. *** The operating systems shown are for Lenovo servers. The TS2900 might support other operating systems. For a full list of supported operating systems, refer to the System Storage Interoperation Center: . Models The following table lists the ordering information for the TS2900 Tape Autoloader models. The part numbers for the TS2900 Tape Autoloader models include the following items: One TS2900 Tape Autoloader with the half-high LTO SAS tape drive (LTO 8, LTO 7, LTO 6, or LTO 5) and with the Bar Code Reader One removable nine-cartridge magazine Documentation package Configuration notes: Rack mount kit or standalone installation kit are not included; one of the kits must be ordered with the TS2900 unit (for ordering information, see the following table). Rack mount kit includes one 10A/100-250V, C13 to IEC 320-C14 Rack Power Cable, and a country-specific line cord also can be ordered, if needed (for ordering information, see ). Standalone kit does not include a power cable; it must be ordered with the TS2900 unit (for ordering information, see ). The following table lists the rack mount and stand-alone (deskside) kits for the TS2900 unit (one of the kits must be ordered with the autoloader). A SAS cable is required to attach a TS2900 Tape Library with an LTO Ultrium SAS Tape Drive to a host SAS adapter. The following table lists the supported cable options. * Not supported with the TS2900 with the LTO 8 tape drive. Tape media The TS2900 ships with one removable tape magazine with nine cartridge slots that include a single I/O station (if enabled). Extra removable tape magazines can be ordered with the TS2900, if needed. The following table lists tape media options and extra magazines that can be ordered for the TS2900. Note: A 5-Pack of the Ultrium 5, 6, 7, or 8 Data Cartridges includes five unattached loose labels. LTO Ultrium tape drives support the following backward compatibility for the previous generations of tape media: LTO Ultrium 8 tape drives can read and write LTO Ultrium 8, LTO Ultrium 7, and LTO 7 initialized LTO 8 Type M data cartridges. LTO Ultrium 7 tape drives can read and write LTO Ultrium 7 and Ultrium 6 data cartridges, and can read Ultrium 5 data cartridges. LTO Ultrium 6 tape drives can read and write LTO Ultrium 6 and Ultrium 5 data cartridges, and can read Ultrium 4 data cartridges. LTO Ultrium 5 tape drives can read and write LTO Ultrium 5 and Ultrium 4 data cartridges, and can read Ultrium 3 data cartridges. Note: An LTO 7 initialized LTO 8 Type M data cartridge is a new (unused) LTO 7 data cartridge labelled and initialized to support 9 TB native storage capacity in the LTO 8 tape drive. Once initialized, an LTO 8 Type M cartridge cannot be used in the LTO 7 tape drives, and it cannot be changed back to a 6 TB LTO 7 cartridge. Software IBM Ultrium 8, Ultrium 7, Ultrium 6, and Ultrium 5 SAS tape drives are encryption-capable and support the following modes of encryption management: Application Managed (available with third-party software such as IBM Spectrum Protect) Library Managed (available for Linux and Windows; requires the IBM Security Key Lifecycle Manager (SKLM) Application Managed Encryption does not require a license. Library Managed Encryption requires an optional Transparent LTO Encryption license that is listed in the following table. Power cables If the TS2900 is ordered with the rack mount kit, it includes one 10A/100-250V, C13 to IEC 320-C14 Rack Power Cable. A country-specific line cord also can be ordered, if needed. If the TS2900 is ordered with the stand-alone (deskside) kit, it does not include a power cable. A country-specific line cord or a rack power cable must be ordered with the TS2900. The part numbers and feature codes to order the power cables (one power cable per TS2900) are listed in the following table. Physical specifications The TS2900 Tape Autoloader has the following dimensions and weight (approximate): Height: 44 mm ( in.) Width: Bezel: 483 mm ( in.); chassis: 445 mm ( in.) Depth: 850 mm ( in.) Weight: 13 kg ( lb) Operating environment The TS2900 Tape Autoloader is supported in the following environment: Air temperature: Operating: 10 °C - 38 °C (50 °F - 100 °F) Non-operating: 1 °C - 60 °C (34 °F - 140 °F) Maximum altitude: 2,500 m (8,202 ft) Humidity: Operating: 20% - 80% Non-operating: 10% - 90% Electrical power: 100 V AC - 240 V AC ( A to A) Frequency: 50 Hz / 60 Hz Power consumption: 110 watts Acoustical noise emission: bels (idling) bels (operating) Warranty services and upgrades The TS2900 Tape Autoloader has a one-year CRU and onsite limited warranty with 9x5/next business day (NBD) terms. Some countries might have different warranty terms and conditions than the standard warranty. This is due to local business practices or laws in the specific country. Local service teams can assist in explaining country-specific terms when needed. Examples of country-specific warranty terms are second or longer business day parts delivery or parts-only base warranty. If warranty terms and conditions include onsite labor for repair or replacement of parts, Lenovo will dispatch a service technician to the customer site to perform the replacement. Onsite labor under base warranty is limited to labor for replacement of parts that have been determined to be field-replaceable units (FRUs). Parts that are determined to be customer-replaceable units (CRUs) do not include onsite labor under base warranty. If warranty terms include parts-only base warranty, Lenovo is responsible for delivering only replacement parts that are under base warranty (including FRUs) that will be sent to a requested location for self-service. Parts-only service does not include a service technician being dispatched onsite. Parts must be changed at customer’s own cost and labor and defective parts must be returned following the instructions supplied with the spares parts. Also available are Lenovo Services warranty upgrades and post-warranty maintenance agreements, with a well-defined scope of services, including service hours, response time, term of service, and service agreement terms and conditions. Lenovo warranty service upgrade offerings are country-specific. Not all warranty service upgrades are available in every country. For information about Lenovo warranty service upgrade offerings that are available in your country or area, refer to the following resources: Service part numbers in Lenovo Data Center Solution Configurator (LESC): Lenovo Services Availability Locator In general, the following Lenovo warranty service upgrades are available: Warranty and maintenance service upgrades: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 years of warranty service coverage 1-year or 2-year post-warranty extensions Foundation Service: 9x5 service coverage with next business day onsite response Essential Service: 24x7 service coverage with 4-hour onsite response or 24-hour committed repair (available only in select countries) Advanced Service: 24x7 service coverage with 2-hour onsite response or 6-hour committed repair (available only in select countries) Hardware Installation Services Lenovo experts can seamlessly manage the physical installation of your server, storage, or networking hardware. Working at a time convenient for you (business hours or off shift), the technician will unpack and inspect the systems on your site, install options, mount in a rack cabinet, connect to power and network, check and update firmware to the latest levels, verify operation, and dispose of the packaging, allowing your team to focus on other priorities. For service definitions, country-specific details, and service limitations, please refer to the following documents: Lenovo Statement of Limited Warranty for Data Center Group (DCG) Servers and System Storage Lenovo Data Center Services Agreement Regulatory compliance The TS2900 Tape Autoloader conforms to the following regulations: FCC: Verified to comply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules, Class A Canada ICES-003, Class A European Union Council Directive 2004/108/EC EN 55022, Class A Japan VCCI Class A statement People's Republic of China Class A statement Taiwan Class A statement Korea KCC Class A statement Interoperability Lenovo provides end-to-end storage compatibility testing to deliver interoperability throughout the network. The TS2900 Tape Autoloader supports attachment to Lenovo servers by using SAS storage connectivity. Note: Tables that are provided in this section are for ordering reference purposes only. End-to-end storage configuration support (including adapters and operating systems) must be verified through the System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC): SAS connectivity The following table lists currently available Lenovo SAS adapters that are compatible with the TS2900 Tape Autoloader. Other SAS HBAs also might be supported (see the Interoperation Center for details). Operating systems The TS2900 Tape Autoloader supports host attachments to the Lenovo servers with the following operating systems: Microsoft: Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Red Hat: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 SUSE: SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 11 Note: The LTO tape drives are supported when attached and run from the host operating system, however, in virtualization environments (for example, Hyper-V, KVM, Xen), the tape drives are not supported in the guest operating systems. ISV backup software compatibility The Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) indicated support for the TS2900 Tape Autoloader for the following ISV backup software: Arcserve Backup ASG Time Navigator Barracuda Yosemite Backup CommVault Simpana Dell NetVault Backup EMC NetWorker IBM Spectrum Protect Microsoft System Center Data Protection Manager Symantec Backup Exec Symantec NetBackup For more information, see the Independent Software Vendor matrix for IBM LTO, which is available at: Rack cabinets The following table lists the rack cabinets that are offered by Lenovo that can be used with the TS2900 Tape Autoloader in IT solutions. For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Rack cabinets category: Power distribution units The following table lists the power distribution units (PDUs) that are offered by Lenovo that can be used with the TS2900 Tape Autoloader in IT solutions. For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the PDU category: Uninterruptible power supply units The following table lists the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units that are currently offered by Lenovo that can be used with the TS2900 Tape Autoloader in IT solutions. For more information, see the list of Product Guides in the Uninterruptible Power Supply Units category: Lenovo Financial Services Lenovo Financial Services reinforces Lenovo’s commitment to deliver pioneering products and services that are recognized for their quality, excellence, and trustworthiness. Lenovo Financial Services offers financing solutions and services that complement your technology solution anywhere in the world. We are dedicated to delivering a positive finance experience for customers like you who want to maximize your purchase power by obtaining the technology you need today, protect against technology obsolescence, and preserve your capital for other uses. We work with businesses, non-profit organizations, governments and educational institutions to finance their entire technology solution. We focus on making it easy to do business with us. Our highly experienced team of finance professionals operates in a work culture that emphasizes the importance of providing outstanding customer service. Our systems, processes and flexible policies support our goal of providing customers with a positive experience. We finance your entire solution. Unlike others, we allow you to bundle everything you need from hardware and software to service contracts, installation costs, training fees, and sales tax. If you decide weeks or months later to add to your solution, we can consolidate everything into a single invoice. Our Premier Client services provide large accounts with special handling services to ensure these complex transactions are serviced properly. As a premier client, you have a dedicated finance specialist who manages your account through its life, from first invoice through asset return or purchase. This specialist develops an in-depth understanding of your invoice and payment requirements. For you, this dedication provides a high-quality, easy, and positive financing experience. For your region specific offers please ask your Lenovo sales representative or your technology provider about the use of Lenovo Financial Services. For more information, see the following Lenovo website: Related publications and links For more information, see the following resources: Lenovo Storage product page: US Announcement Letter - IBM TS2900 Tape Autoloader for Lenovo with LTO Ultrium 7 Drive: US Announcement Letter - IBM TS2900 Tape Autoloader for Lenovo: Lenovo Data Center Solution Configurator (DCSC): System Storage Interoperation Center (SSIC): Related product families Product families related to this document are the following: Trademarks Lenovo and the Lenovo logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Lenovo in the United States, other countries, or both. A current list of Lenovo trademarks is available on the Web at . The following terms are trademarks of Lenovo in the United States, other countries, or both: Lenovo Services Lenovo® System x® ThinkServer® ThinkSystem The following terms are trademarks of other companies: Linux® is a trademark of Linus Torvalds in the United States, other countries, or both. Hyper-V®, Microsoft®, Surface®, Windows Server®, and Windows® are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both. Other company, product, or service names may be trademarks or service marks of others. |
