High-performance tape storage with attachment support for Ultra SCSI and Fibre Channel server

Highlights

• Attaches to IBM iSeries(TM) (AS/400(R)), pSeries(TM) (RS/6000(R)), xSeries(TM), Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, Intel-based systems running Linux(R), Microsoft Windows NT(R) and Windows(R) 2000; and IBM zSeries(TM) (S/390(R)) systems.
• Offers the choice of an Ultra SCSI interface (maximum instantaneous data rate is 40MB/sec) or native Fibre Channel attachment (maximum instantaneous data rate is 100MB/sec)
• Features an uncompressed drive data rate of up to 14MB/sec to help reduce backup and recovery time.
• Includes a 10-cartridge Automated Cartridge Facility (ACF) that functions as a mini-library, which can randomly access up to 1.8TB of data (3:1 compression) for the 3590 Model
• Uses 3590 extended-length tape cartridges that can contain up to 180GB of data (3:1 compression)
• The IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Tape System 3590 consists of a family of powerful integrated storage solutions that are designed to provide high levels of performance and data reliability for both stand-alone and automated systems.

Using Extended High Performance Cartridge Tape

A 3590 Model H Tape Drive can store up to 60GB of data (180GB with 3:1 compression) on a single cartridge. A 3590 Model E Tape Drive can store up to 40GB of data (120GB with 3:1 compression) on a single cartridge, and a 3590 Model B can store up to 20GB of data (60GB with 3:1 compression) on a cartridge. Potential benefits include less tape cartridge handling, improvements in automation slot utilization,
and a reduction in floor space requirements.

The 3590 metal particle tape media is housed in a cartridge with the same physical size as 3490 cartridges, enabling both to coexist in an IBM TotalStorage Enterprise Automated 3494 Tape Library.

The Enterprise Tape Library 3494 with 3590 Tape Drives provides access to as much as 1122TB (with 3:1 compression) of data.

The 3590 Tape Drive is designed for mission-critical data storage.

Error Correction Codes (ECC) and servo tracks written on each tape cartridge help promote data integrity.
Resident diagnostics dynamically monitor drive and media performance to detect potential problems and aid in resolution. In addition, the 3590 provides redundant data protection capabilities. Because data is systematically disbursed across the media as it is written and redundant parity checking bits are included, there is a lower chance of information loss should a media error occur.

The 3590 Tape Drive uses a bidirectional longitudinal serpentine recording technique and a magneto-resistive head that concurrently reads and writes 16 data tracks.This means that 384 tracks of data can be reliably written onto 3590 media with the 3590 Model H Tape Drive. In addition, a digital channel technology helps further increase data integrity.

Existing Model B11, B1A, E11 and E1A Tape Drives can be field- upgraded to the Model H, which helps protect existing investments in 3590 technology. Media investments can also be protected, because the Model E drives can read (both 128 and 256 tracks) and write (256 tracks) to existing cartridges.
Model H drives can read (both 128 and 256 tracks) and write (384 tracks) to existing cartridges. Customers can choose the 3590 model that best suits their performance/capacity requirements.

High-capacity media along with high-performance drives can mean that less equipment, fewer cartridges, and fewer tape mounts are required to process the same amount of data. This can translate into less floor space being needed for tape drive, tape library and tape cartridge storage. As data growth accelerates, the resulting potential savings from higher density media and higher performance drives can also help data center managers better control costs and more efficiently manage data. Because the 3590 Tape Drive can be used as the foundation for a broad array of storage systems, it helps protect existing investments.
The 3590 also provides the capability to share tape drives through two Ultra SCSI or Fibre Channel ports.

The 3590 Models B11, E11 and H11 incorporate a standard 10- slot ACF for high-capacity, stand-alone unattended operation. The ACF can be used in random-access mode as a mini-library. Cartridges are loaded into the ACF in a convenient, portable 10-cartridge magazine.
The 3590 also features an operator/service display showing device status, activities, error conditions and messages. The 3590 Models E11, E1A, H11 and H1A provide native Fibre Channel attachment for drives used in stand-alone configurations, with the Enterprise Tape Library 3494 or with a StorageTek Automated Cartridge System (ACS). Fibre Channel servers can be supported at distances of up to 500 meters from the 3590 Tape Drive or up to 10 kilometers with the appropriate Fibre Channel fabric.

Fibre Channel Fabric:

• IBM 2103 Fibre Channel Storage Hub (distance only)
• IBM TotalStorage SAN Switch 210
• McDATA(R) ED-1000 Loop Switch for attaching to McDATA Enterprise Fibre Channel Directors
• INRANGE(R) FC/9000 Fibre Channel Directorsbre Channel Directors

High availability configuration support:

The new AIX(R) high-availability failover mechanism in the AIX tape device driver enables multiple redundant paths in a Storage Area Network (SAN) to 3590 Model E and Model H Tape Drives having Fibre Channel attachment. In the event of a path or component failure, the failover mechanism is designed to automatically seek to retry the current operation Using an alternate, preconfigured path without aborting the current job in progress.

This can help provide improved availability in a SAN configuration.

The AIX tape device driver also offers dynamic load balancing for 3590 Fibre Channel drives used in an AIX SAN environment.

The dynamic load balancing sup.port optimizes resources and can improve overall performance for devices that have physical connections to multiple Host Bus Adapters (HBAs) in the same machine.

The 3590 Tape Drive does not require scheduled preventive maintenance.
IBM customer engineers use a built-in diagnostic panel to perform service functions.

The 3590 is available in several configurations for Ultra SCSI and Fibre Channel attachment:

3590 Characteristics