B Data Cartridge Labels

A cartridge label contains bar codes and visual characters. The visual characters are for operator use and are not used by the library. Moreover, the visual characters do not have to line up with the bar code lines for that character.

Rack Mount Cartridge Labels

If you are using the data cartridges in a rack mount situation, almost any label across the data cartridge is acceptable if it does not interfere with the operation of the tape drive.

Library Use Cartridge Labels

If you are using the data cartridges in a library, the labels must conform to a specification for the label size. See the library User's Guide for information regarding the label requirements. It is very important to follow these specifications.

  • AIM Uniform Symbology Specification USS-39

  • ANSI MH10.8M-1993 ANSI Code 39 Barcode Specification

  • ANSI NCITS 314-199X SCSI 3 Medium Changer Commands (SMC)

You must put a label on the data cartridge in the label attachment area as shown by item 1 in Figure 1-8. You must carefully place the label in the label area with the bar code down (to the hub side of the data cartridge—the hub is shown in the bottom view in the figure).

Standard/Sport Cartridge Labels

Standard data cartridge labels consist of eight characters and the associated bar code.

  • The first six characters in the label are the customer volume ID (such as NGD018). Label characters may consist of A through Z and the numbers 0 through 9. No special characters (& $%@#and so on) may be used.

  • The last two characters are the media identifier:

    • StorageTek T10000 cartridge (written with a T10000A and B drive)

      T1 for the standard T10000A and data cartridge

      TS for the T10000A and B sport data cartridge

    • StorageTek T10000 T2 cartridge (written with a T10000C and D drive)

      T2 for the standard T10000C and D data cartridge

      TT for the T10000C and D Sport data cartridge

The color behind the media identifier is usually white for standard cartridges. An example of a label for the T1 cartridge is shown in Figure B-1.

Figure B-1 T10000A/B Standard Eight-character Label

Surrounding text describes Figure B-1 .

VolSafe/Sport VolSafe Cartridge Labels

VolSafe labels are the same as standard cartridge labels except that the background color of the media ID area is usually yellow.

Diagnostic Cartridge Labels

To be recognized by the library as a diagnostic cartridge, the label on the data cartridge must start with DG and a space (no third character is used). The five remaining label characters are:

  • xxx can be 000 to 999

  • Media identifier (two characters)

    • T1 for the StorageTek T10000 cartridge (used with T10000A and B drive)

    • T2 for the StorageTek T10000 T2 cartridge (used with T10000C and D drive)

An example of a diagnostic cartridge label for a T10000A/B drive is shown in Figure B-2.

Figure B-2 T10000A/B Diagnostic Cartridge Label

Surrounding text describes Figure B-2 .

Cleaning Cartridge Labels

The cleaning label characters are:

  • CLN (the first three characters)

  • Fourth through sixth characters can be 000 to 999 (for identification of each individual cleaning cartridge)

  • Media identifier (two characters):

    • CT for the T10000A and B cartridge

    • CC for the T10000C cartridge

    • CL for the cleaning cartridge used on the T10000A, B, C, and D drives

An example of a cleaning cartridge label for a T10000A and B drive is shown in Figure B-3.

Figure B-3 T10000A/B Cleaning Cartridge Label

Surrounding text describes Figure B-3 .