Working With Cartridges and Barcodes
file:///T|/htdocs/stor-sys/ML6000/en/html/ch10.htm[9/17/2012 1:50:59 PM]
Barcode Requirements
Cartridges must have an external barcode label that is machine and operator-readable. A barcode must use only uppercase
letters A to Z and/or numeric values 0 to 9. The library supports Code 39 (3 of 9) type barcodes.
The supported tape cartridge barcode formats are as follows:
• Standard — (default) Five to 16 characters total, including a barcode number and optional two-character media ID. If
a media ID is included, the label must have a five to 14 character barcode number followed by a media ID; for
example, "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXL4". If a media ID is not included, the label must have a five to 16 character barcode
number; for example, "XXXXX" or "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX". Only the barcode number is reported to the host.
• Standard Six — Six character barcode number with or without a two-character media ID; for example, "XXXXXXL4"
or "XXXXXX". Only the six character barcode number is reported to the host.
• Plus Six — Six character barcode number followed by a two-character media ID; for example, "XXXXXXL4". The six
character barcode and media ID are reported to the host.
• Extended — Five to 16 characters total, including a barcode number and optional two-character media ID. All
characters are reported to the host, regardless of the barcode label having a media ID or not. If a media ID is
included, the label must have a five to 14 character barcode followed by a media ID; for example,
"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXL4". If a media ID is not included, the label must have a five to 16 character barcode number; for
example, "XXXXX" or "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX".
• Media ID Last — Five to 14 character barcode number followed by a two-character media ID, for example,
"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXL4". The media ID is reported to the host last, as in "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXL4".
• Media ID First — Five to 14 character barcode number followed by a two-character media ID, for example,
"XXXXXXXXXXXXXXL4". The media ID is reported to the host first, as in "L4XXXXXXXXXXXXXX".
Dell-supplied barcode labels provide the best results. Barcode labels from other sources can be used, but they must meet the
following requirements:
• ANSI MH10.8M-1983 Standard
• Number of digits: 5 to 16 (default for LTO is 6+2)
• Background reflection: greater than 25 percent
• Print contrast: greater than 75 percent
• Ratio: greater than 2.2
• Module: minimum .254 mm (10 mil)
• Print tolerance: ± 57 mm
Additional Requirements:
• Length of the rest zones: 5.25 mm ± 0.25 mm
• No black marks should be present in the intermediate spaces or rest zones
• No white areas should be present on the bars
Installing Barcode Labels
Each cartridge in the library must have an external label that is machine and operator-readable to identify the barcode. Most
manufacturers offer cartridges with the labels already applied or with the labels included that you can attach.
All barcode labels must be applied to the front of a cartridge. Peel off the label and place it on the cartridge. Verify that the
label is oriented so that the numbers appear above the barcode. The cartridge cannot have any stickers or labels attached to
the top or bottom because if the labels come loose, they can get caught in the tape drives or become unreadable by the
scanner.
Caution: Do not place a barcode label or any labels on the top or bottom of a cartridge. Doing so can cause the tape
cartridge and tape drive operations to fail.
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