Some IBM 3589 LTO and 3599 Tape Cartridges Support RFID

IBM Corp. announced that Select models of IBM 3589 Ultrium Tape Cartridges and IBM 3599 Tape Cartridges support radio frequency identification labels

The IBM 3589 Ultrium Tape Cartridges and the IBM 3599 Tape Cartridges have the following features:

• RFID labels with the same information as the VOLSER for either labeled or labeled and initialized cartridges
• Pre-labeling, with the ability to specify a starting volume serial and color coding that helps save time and labor when adding new cartridges into your existing inventory
• Labeled and initialized cartridges with the ability to specify a color coded, volume serial number to save time and labor when adding cartridges to your library inventory (3599 cartridges only)

Select tape media models of the IBM 3589 and IBM 3599 now support VOLSER labels with embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) enabled barcode labels. The barcode labels store as well as allow remote retrieval of VOLSER information. RFID labels contain a 216-bit unique pre-programmed field and a 256-bit user-defined field. These RFID labels are designed to work with most standard asset tracking and management software.

The following 3589 models include a 20-pack of labeled LTO Ultrium data cartridges and write-once, read-many (WORM) data cartridges. These cartridges support RFID labels and are used in LTO Ultrium Tape Drives.

• Model 006 – 200 GB labeled Ultrium tape cartridges
• Model 008 – 400 GB labeled Ultrium tape cartridges
• Model 028 – 400 GB labeled Ultrium WORM tape cartridges
• Model 010 – 800 GB labeled Ultrium tape cartridges
• Model 032 – 800 GB labeled Ultrium WORM tape cartridges

The following 3599 models include a 20-pack of labeled or labeled and initialized IBM 3592 Tape Cartridges. These cartridges support RFID labels and are used in the TS1120 Tape Drive (3592) and TS1130 Tape Drive.

• Model 011 – Labeled and initialized 3592 cartridges (Standard)
• Model 012 – Labeled only 3592 cartridges (Standard)
• Model 014 – Labeled and initialized 3592 cartridges (Extended Data)
• Model 015 – Labeled only 3592 cartridges (Extended Data)
• Model 021 – Labeled and initialized 3592 cartridges (WORM)
• Model 022 – Labeled only 3592 cartridges (WORM)
• Model 024 – Labeled and initialized 3592 cartridges (Extended WORM)
• Model 025 – Labeled only 3592 cartridges (Extended WORM)
• Model E11 – Labeled and initialized 3592 cartridges (Economy)
• Model E12 – Labeled only 3592 cartridges (Economy)
• Model E21 – Labeled and initialized 3592 cartridges (Economy WORM)
• Model E22 – Labeled only 3592 cartridges (Economy WORM)

RFID labels must be associated with one of the following feature numbers that establish cartridge media identifier letters for the following models:

• Models 011 and 012 (JA/feature #9030)
• Models 014 and 015 (JB/feature #9032)
• Models 021 and 022 (JW/feature #9040)
• Models 024 and 025 (JX/feature #9044)
• Models E11 and E12 (JJ/feature #9050)
• Models E21 and E22 (JR/feature #9042)

These products are only for use with the 3592 Tape Drive Models J1A, IBM Systems Storage TS1120 Tape Drive, TS1130 Tape Drive, and IBM Ultrium Tape Drives.

Planned availability date: November 7, 2008