The 3490-F1A is a 36-track Magnetic Tape Unit component of an IBM 3494 Magstar Tape library. The IBM 3490 Enhanced Capability (3490E) Model F1A offers high-performance, high-reliability 3490 tape cartridge access in the 3494 library at a low cost. Standard features of the Model F1A Tape Drive are 18-track read and 36-track read/write, 3480 and 3490 tape interchange, and Improved Data Recording Capability (IDRC). IDRC provides up to 2.4GB of capacity per tape cartridge.

Model Highlights 3490-F1A

• Optional ESCON channel attachment
• Optional parallel channel attachment for customers with existing models with feature 3000
• 18-track read and 36-track read/write 3480 and 3490 tape cartridge interchange
• Improved automatic cartridge loader reliability
• Significant reduction in power and air-conditioning requirements
• Improved Data Recording Capability (IDRC)
• SCSI drive attachment

The 3490E Model F1A Drive is designed for installation in the 3494 Magstar Tape Library. The Model F1A drive is installed in the IBM 3494 L10 or D10 frame on independent sliders that allow the drives to be serviced from the rear, meaning no disruption to the 3494 accessor while the drive is being serviced. One or two Model F1A drives can be installed in an L10 or D10 frame. The Model F1A, when configured with the proper control unit feature codes, can attach to a S/390, SP2, AS/400, or RS/6000 system.

The 3490E Model F1A can attach to a S/390 system using either ESCON or parallel channels. The Model F1A attaches to RS/6000 and SP2 systems using ESCON or SCSI connections. Connection to an AS/400 system is via SCSI connection. The Model F1A can be configured with a maximum of two optional channel adapters. The optional adapters can be ESCON or parallel channels in any combination. For SCSI attachment no control unit features are required. A single SCSI attachment is provided with an optional SCSI attachment available.

When the 3490E Model F1A is installed in the 3494 Magstar Tape Library and attached to a host using the optional control unit, the maximum number of F1A drives that can be installed in the 3494 is ten. Each Model F1A drive and the Model F1A control unit require one 3494 control unit port on the library manager. The library manager has sixteen ports available. Each 3494 frame containing two Model F1A drives and control unit require three library manager control unit ports. Five 3494 frames with two Model F1A drives and control unit require fifteen library manager control unit ports.

The 3490E Model F1A features a tape path that minimizes tape wear and increases long-term data integrity. Effective data rates up to 6.8 MB/second, sustained data rates of 3 MB/second, and burst data rates of 20 MB/second can be attained on the SCSI-2 fast/wide interface. System backups can be performed more rapidly, reducing the time data files are not available to users. AS/400 users will see reduced throughput due to the 24 Kb block size used by OS/400. To maximize throughput on AS/400 systems using OS/400 Version 3 Release 1 through Version 4 Release 1, users should install the appropriate PTFs and ensure the 3490E Model F1A drives are at microcode level C35099 or higher.

The 3490E Model F1A can be installed in any new 3494 Magstar Tape Library L10 or D10 frame. Due to the frame design of L10 frames below EC level C88765, the 3490E Model F1A cannot be installed. An autoloader feature is not available on 3490E Model F1A.

Supplies: