The IBM 3570 Model C02 is a Library Subsystem with 2 tape drives and a cartridge capacity of 20. The tape drive data rate is 7.0 MB/sec and the case is stand-alone.

The Magstar MP 3570 Tape Library provides tape and automation reliability at open systems prices. Other features include:

• Utilizes IBM-developed technology, including magneto-resistive heads, especially designed for automation
• 7 MB/second native sustained drive data rates using C-format cartridges in Model Cxx drives
• 2.2 MB/second native sustained drive data rates using B-format cartridges in Model Bxx drives
• Barcode reader included on Cxx models
• Expanded 5 MB cache memory on Cxx models for faster read/write performance
• Newly designed digital data flow circuit on Cxx models for increased read/write performance
• Self-enclosed data cartridges with pre-imbedded servo tracks
• Mid-point load for fast time to data
• Up to 420 GB of near online data with Fast Access Linear Tape C-Format XL Data Cartridge capacities of 21 GB (using 3:1 compression and the Fast Access Linear Tape C-Format XL Data Cartridge) in C01, C02, C11, C12, C21, and C22 Models

The IBM Magstar MP Tape Subsystem is a revolutionary new multi-purpose (MP) SCSI-attach tape technology designed for automation. Traditionally, tape has been used to perform write-intensive operations like backup and data interchange. The Magstar MP is truly a multi-purpose storage device that functionally expands the capability of tape to optimize both write- and read-intensive operations. It provides the characteristics of high save and recall performance with reliability.

High Performance:

The IBM Magstar MP is designed to provide fast access to data. The drive and cartridge are uniquely designed to allow fast cartridge insertion, almost instantaneous head/tape contact at load time, and mid- point load, where the tape is already positioned to achieve fast data access by quickly fast forwarding to data in either direction. The drive search time to first byte data is about 8 seconds. Using C-Format cartridges, the Magstar MP Model C drives have sustained data rates of 7 MB/sec native and 15 MB/sec with maximum compression. Using B-Format cartridges, the Magstar MP Model C drives have sustained data rates of 3.5MB/sec native and 10.5MB/sec with 3:1 compression. The drive burst data rate is 20 MB/sec. Automatic caching of data enables balancing system read/write performance. The drive is designed to provide high performance in both streaming and start/stop operations. A new digital data flow circuit and an increase in tape speed by 50% reduces read/write operation times. These characteristics are exciting new technical breakthroughs in an industry that has historically only seen innovation in the form of increased cartridge capacity and data rate.

A New Cartridge:

IBM has been awarded numerous patents for the innovative new cartridge technology. The IBM Magstar MP features two tape spools with the tape load point positioned at the mid-point of the tape to provide fast access to data, while still providing unmatched capacity for backup needs. The Fast Access Linear Tape C-Format XL Data Cartridge has an uncompacted capacity of 7 GB (21 GB with 3:1 Lempel-Ziv compression). The previously announced Magstar MP Fast Access Linear Tape Cartridge has an uncompacted capacity of 5 GB (15 GB with 3:1 Lempel-Ziv compression) and contains major enhancements over conventional data recording cartridges. A rugged case, designed for repetitive handling by automated pickers, protects the tape in an enclosed environment. The cartridge contains advanced metal particle tape media developed for high capacity and durability. The tape never leaves the cartridge because the cartridge contains the tape path itself. The tape medium is protected from being harshly handled by external pickers, rollers, or external guides. The unique tape path eliminates tape thread time, reduces complexity, and enables higher reliability. The internal tape path also allows quick load time and, combined with the mid-point load, provides leading-edge tape performance.

The 3570 Library Subsystem:

The Magstar MP 3570 library models, C01, C02, C11, and C12, are designed specifically to exploit the fast performance and match the reliability of the Magstar MP drive. They have been extensively tested and tuned to handle the rigorous demands of automated tape handling. They offer both an Automatic (sequential) mode for traditional tape processing applications and a random mode for applications requiring direct access to data. The library is designed to operate with two 10-cartridge magazines providing from 140-420 GB (using Fast Access Linear Tape C-Format XL Data Cartridges) of data accessible to the host system. When a cleaner cartridge is available in the library, it can be automatically inserted into the drive for a cleaning operation with no operator intervention. The drive also provides a fast load/ready time, greatly reducing the time to get to data for tape applications. The IBM Magstar MP promises to bring a new dimension of functionality to tape storage because of its revolutionary data recall performance; allowing new applications to be enabled in addition to traditional tape applications.

The Magstar MP 3570 library models C02 and C12 also offer users the ability to configure the library as two logical libraries. Each library has its own drive and cartridge magazine. The autochanger is shared among the two libraries. Each library also has its own SCSI bus and can be attached to separate homogeneous or heterogeneous systems.

The IBM Magstar MP Tape Subsystem is a multipurpose (MP) tape subsystem designed for automation to attach to AS/400, RS/6000, Sun, Hewlett-Packard, Windows NT, and other open systems.

It is based on the same reliable Magstar technology as the IBM 3590 High Performance Tape Subsystem. It is designed to provide midrange and open systems a tape subsystem that has high levels of reliability, with lower price, capacity and performance than the 3590. It also provides a faster data access than other tape technologies with a drive time to read/write data of 8 seconds from cartridge insertion.

The Magstar MP is a compact, integrated storage subsystem that functionally expands the capability of tape to perform both write and read intensive operations. The Magstar MP utilizes a unique new robust heavy usage Fast Access Linear Tape cartridge that is approximately half the size of IBM 3480/3490/3590 cartridge tapes and is designed for high reliability. The tape drive reads and writes data in a 128-track format, reading and writing eight tracks at a time. Data is written using an interleaved serpentine longitudinal recording format starting at the center of the tape (mid-tape load point) and continuing to near the end of the tape. The head is indexed to the next set of eight tracks and data is written back to the mid-tape load point. This process is continued in the other direction until the tape is full. When B-format cartridges are used, reading and writing of data is performed 4 tracks at a time. The capacity is 7 GB per Fast Access Linear Tape C-Format XL Data Cartridge and 5 GB per Magstar MP Fast Access Linear Tape Cartridge (21 GB and 15 GB, respectively, with 3:1 Lempel-Ziv compression). For previously announced C-format cartridges, the Magstar MP drives have sustained data rates of 7 MB/sec native and 15 MB/sec with maximum compression. For B-format cartridges, the Magstar MP drives have sustained data rates of 3.5 MB/sec native and 10.5 MB/sec with 3:1 compression. The drive burst data rate is 20 MB/sec. The IBM Magstar MP tape drives is designed for faster data access in the automated tape library environment.

The Magstar MP Model C attaches to a host system using a Differential SCSI-2 adapter.

Supplies:

Physical Specifications
Models C01 or C02 (stand-alone library)
• Width: 483 mm (19.0 inches)
• Depth: 771 mm (30.4 inches)
• Height: 217 mm ( 8.5 inches)
• Weight Model C01: 40 Kg (88 lb.)
• Weight Model C02: 45 Kg (99 lb.)