• The IBM 7208-234 is a high-function, high-capacity, external 8mm tape subsystem used in applications requiring more single tape cartridge and total storage capacity than is available with the IBM 7208 Model 232 tape subsystem. The 7208-234 provides two 8mm tape drives within a single enclosure. It is read/write compatible with IBM 7208 Models 002, 012, 222, 232, and AS/400* Advanced Series feature #6390 (7 GB 8mm Cartridge Tape Unit) using the appropriate tape cartridges. The IBM 7208-234 attaches to the host AS/400 SCSI attachment feature via SCSI cable. The IBM 7208-234 is intended to complement the design of the AS/400 Advanced Series and is only available in Raven black color. The IBM 7208-234 provides: tape mirroring; automatic cascading from one drive to the other for extended unattended operation; and performance enhancing features including dual-host channels and off-line, host independent, functions (tape copy and compare). The IBM 7208-234 also incorporates a 16-character display for enhanced operational status and diagnostics and a 2-button panel to control operation of off-line functions. It attaches to the host AS/400 via SCSI cable. Additionally, an integrated label printer port is included to generate data cartridge labels when an optional label printer is connected. The IBM 7208-234 is a dual bus SCSI device that allows attachment to two separate AS/400 SCSI I/O ports. Each individual drive in a 7208-234 may act separately, allowing two individual data streams to be serviced without loss of flexibility. The IBM 7208-234 emulates an IBM 7208-012, and no new operating system or application programs are required to use this product. The 7208-234 has a capacity of up to 28 GB (14GB X 2) and a data transfer rate of up to 1 MB/second per port when using data compression (+). Native capacities are up to 7 GB of data per cartridge and a data transfer rate of up to 500 KB/second per port. Is an external stand-alone tape-drive device.
• Attaches via SCSI cable.
• Uses an SCSI interface for attachment to RS/6000 (7208 models 001, 011, and 341), or uses a differential SCSI interface for attachment to AS/400 (7208 models 002, 012, 222, 232, 234 and 342).

Model Highlights 7208-234

Product Features:

• Dual 7 GB (native) 8mm tape drives
• Dual-host attachment
• Front panel display and operator control switches
• Label printer port
• Raven Black color to complement AS/400 Advanced Series

On-line Modes:

• Cascade
• Mirroring
• Concurrent

Off-line Functions:

• Copy and compare
• Verify
• Erase

On-line Modes

Three operation modes may be selected using the front panel of the IBM 7208-234.

• Cascade Mode - In cascade mode the IBM 7208-234 may use both cartridges for the same backup or restore job. Capacity reaches up to 28 GB (14GB x 2 with data compression) for any single tape job and does not require any special system software.
• Mirror Mode - When mirror mode is selected, two identical tape cartridges are created simultaneously. This facilitates off-site vaulting and similar disaster recovery requirements. Additionally, single-drive failures, such as defective media, will not impact completion of tape operation, thereby raising reliability of backup during a critical window.
• Concurrent Mode - When concurrent mode is selected, each drive acts like a single IBM 7208-012, but with up to 14 GB capacity (with data compression), thereby allowing two individual data streams to be serviced without loss of flexibility.

Off-Line Functions

The IBM 7208-234 can perform off-line tape storage functions not available with the IBM 7208-012 or 7208-222. These added off-line functions can be selected and controlled using the front panel of the of the IBM 7208-234. These functions do not require attaching the 7208-234 to a host computer system.

• Copy Function - The copy function creates a second copy of a previously recorded tape cartridge.
• Compare Function - The compare function checks for the exact agreement between two copies of the same data. The user is notified of any differences.
• Verify Function - The verify function reads a tape cartridge searching for tape media errors. This function permits the verification of the quality of the data on a previously recorded tape cartridge without using a host computer system.
• Erase Function - The erase function magnetically erases all the information on a tape cartridge. The erase process allows sensitive data to be removed from a tape cartridge.

Product Features

• Dual-host attachment (F/C 2503) (For IBM US, No Longer Available as of June 25, 1999) - Allows connections to two host systems thereby allowing customers to minimize the quantity of peripherals purchased. The integrated controller allows each host port to appear as an individual IBM 7208-234. All enhanced functions (mirroring, cascading, etc.) are available to both host ports, managed intelligently by the integrated controller. Alternatively, customers may attach both tape subsystem ports to separate AS/400 SCSI I/O ports on the same host system and thereby facilitate two simultaneous tape jobs operating concurrently to the separate drives, decreasing overall backup time, but without losing cartridge compatibility with IBM 7208-012 or 222 if desired.
• Front Panel Display and Operator Control Switches - The IBM 7208-234 has a front panel display and operator control switches. The high-resolution 16 character back lighted LCD display permits the operator to view the tape drive status during operation. Two operator control switches allow the selection of operations and configuration modes from a simple menu format. The status messages during write and read operations show the amount of data written or read during that operation. This allows the operator to observe the operation progress. The status messages also include operator prompts for loading the tape cartridge and for drive cleaning. Used together, the front panel display and operator control switches permit the viewing and selection of menu items. This permits the selection of the on-line modes of operation, and the selection and control of the off-line functions. The display and operator control switches also permit the use of diagnostic support operations for service.
• Label Printer Port - An integrated RS-232 port is preconfigured for label generation when an optional label printer is attached. High-contrast, high-resolution labels containing Volume IDs, copy identifiers, and user-defined data fields simplify tape inventory management.

The IBM 7208-234 is a high-function, high-capacity, external 8mm tape subsystem used in applications requiring more single tape cartridge and total storage capacity than is available with the IBM 7208 Model 232 tape subsystem.

The 7208-234 provides two 8mm tape drives within a single enclosure. It is read/write compatible with IBM 7208 Models 002, 012, 222, 232, and AS/400* Advanced Series feature #6390 (7 GB 8mm Cartridge Tape Unit) using the appropriate tape cartridges. The IBM 7208-234 attaches to the host AS/400 SCSI attachment feature via SCSI cable. The IBM 7208-234 is intended to complement the design of the AS/400 Advanced Series and is only available in Raven black color.

The IBM 7208-234 provides:

• Tape mirroring
• Automatic cascading from one drive to the other for extended unattended operation
• Performance enhancing features including dual-host channels and off-line, host independent, functions (tape copy and compare)

The IBM 7208-234 also incorporates a 16-character display for enhanced operational status and diagnostics and a 2-button panel to control operation of off-line functions. It attaches to the host AS/400 via SCSI cable. Additionally, an integrated label printer port is included to generate data cartridge labels when an optional label printer is connected.

The IBM 7208-234 is a dual bus SCSI device that allows attachment to two separate AS/400 SCSI I/O ports. Each individual drive in a 7208-234 may act separately, allowing two individual data streams to be serviced without loss of flexibility.

The IBM 7208-234 emulates an IBM 7208-012, and no new operating system or application programs are required to use this product.

The 7208-234 has a capacity of up to 28 GB (14GB X 2) and a data transfer rate of up to 1 MB/second per port when using data compression(+). Native capacities are up to 7 GB of data per cartridge and a data transfer rate of up to 500 KB/second per port.

The 7208-234 is a high-function, high-capacity product designed to be used in place of, or in addition to, regular 7208-012, 7208-222, or 7208-232 applications. The 7208-234 features mirroring, cascading, performance enhancing features such as dual-host attachment and off-line host independent functions (tape copy and compare) that are not available on the 7208-012 or 222. The 7208-234 also incorporates a 16-character display used to display enhanced operational status, diagnostics and, in concert with a 2-button panel, to control operation of off-line functions. The 7208-234 attaches to the host AS/400* SCSI attachment feature via SCSI cable and is read/write compatible with 7208 models 002, 012, 222, 232, and AS/400 Advanced Series feature (#6390), using appropriate tape cartridges. Additionally, an integrated label printer port is included to generate data cartridge labels when an optional label printer is connected.

The 7208-234 is a dual-bus SCSI device that allows attachment to two separate AS/400 SCSI I/O ports. Each individual drive in the dual drive 7208-234 may act as a single 7208-012 thereby allowing two individual data streams to be serviced without loss of flexibility. The dual drive 7208-234 has more than double the capacity of a 7208-222, up to 28 GB of data with data compression(+). The 7208-234 tape subsystem increases the available capacity compared to the 7208-232 tape subsystem through the use of higher capacity tape cartridge (14 GB typical with data compression compared with 10 GB typical with 7208-012 and 7208-232).

The 7208-234 is a high function, high capacity product designed to be used in place of or in addition to regular 7208-012, 7208-222, or 7208-232 applications. The 7208-234 features mirroring, cascading, performance enhancing features such as dual-host attachments and off-line, host-independent, functions (tape copy and compare) that are not available on the 7208-012 or 222. The 7208-234 also incorporates a 16 character display used to display enhanced operational status, diagnostics and, in concert with a 2 button panel, to control operation of off-line functions. The 7208-234 attaches to the host AS/400* SCSI attachment feature via SCSI cable and is read/write compatible with 7208 models 002, 012, 222, 232, and AS/400 Advanced Series feature (#6390), using appropriate tape cartridges. Additionally, a integrated label printer port is included to generate data cartridge labels when an optional label printer is connected.

The 7208-234 is a dual bus SCSI device that allows attachment to two separate AS/400 SCSI I/O ports. Each individual drive in the dual drive 7208-234 may act as a single 7208-012 thereby allowing two individual data streams to be serviced without loss of flexibility. The dual drive 7208-234 has more than double the capacity of a 7208-222, up to 28 GB of data with data compression. The 7208-234 tape subsystem increases the available capacity compared to the 7208-232 tape subsystem through the use of higher capacity tape cartridge (14 GB typical with data compression compared with 10 GB typical with 7208-012 and 7208-232).

The 7208-234 appears as a 7208-012 to the AS/400 and no new operating system or application programs are required to make use of the new capabilities of this product.