HP LTO Ultrium - User Manual

Questions and Answers

J
Jimmy StaffordAug 14, 2025
What to do if the cartridge is jammed in the HP LTO Ultrium drive?
- J
  joshua96Aug 14, 2025
  If the HP Storage cartridge is jammed, ensure the drive has power. Also, verify the Prevent Media Removal (PMR) function status on each host. Try pressing and holding the Eject button for 10 seconds, allowing up to 15 minutes for ejection. For full height drives, press the emergency reset button; for half height drives, press and hold the Eject button for 20 seconds to reset the drive. If it remains jammed, press and hold the Eject button again for another forced eject and emergency unload if needed.
J
jameswilliamsAug 17, 2025
Why won't my HP LTO Ultrium Storage drive accept a cartridge?
- T
  Timothy CarterAug 17, 2025
  If your HP Storage drive will not accept a cartridge, first check that you are using LTO Ultrium 3, 4, or 5 media. Inspect the cartridge case for any cracks or splits. If the drive still rejects the cartridge, try a new or known good cartridge. If the original cartridge works in another tape drive, the original drive may be faulty. Also, make sure the drive is powered on.
C
Carrie HumphreyAug 21, 2025
What to do if the application does not recognize the HP LTO Ultrium Storage drive?
- J
  Jessica CrawfordAug 21, 2025
  If the application doesn't recognize the HP Storage drive, ensure that the drive is installed correctly. Refer to the HP website (www.hp.com/go/connect) for compatible backup applications for HP LTO Ultrium tape drives and load any necessary service packs. Also, verify that the correct drivers are installed, consulting the backup application's installation notes for details.
O
Oscar DunnAug 25, 2025
How to eject an HP Storage cartridge that fails to unload normally?
- J
  Julia Mendoza DVMAug 25, 2025
  If the HP Storage cartridge fails to eject, press and hold the Eject button for 5 seconds. Wait up to 15 minutes for the cartridge to eject, which is the maximum rewind time. For full-height drives, press the emergency reset button. Alternatively, pull pin 8 of the Automation and Remote LED Connector low. For half-height drives, press and hold the Eject button for at least 35 seconds to perform an emergency reset. If needed, press and hold the Eject button again for 5 seconds to attempt another forced eject and emergency unload.
N
nataliekellyAug 28, 2025
What to do if the computer does not recognize the HP LTO Ultrium drive?
- D
  Derrick SawyerAug 28, 2025
  If the computer does not recognize the HP Storage drive, and you've installed a new host bus adapter, it may be clashing with an existing adapter. Remove the new adapter and consult the server documentation. Also, ensure all device cables are firmly connected, especially if you disconnected the power or cable from the computer’s boot disk during installation.
A
alex53Sep 1, 2025
How to fix the recurring cleaning message on HP LTO Ultrium Storage?
- K
  Kathleen McleanSep 1, 2025
  To address a recurring cleaning message on your HP Storage, clean the drive using an LTO Universal Cleaning Cartridge as instructed in the tape library documentation. If the issue persists, replace the cleaning cartridge with a new one. Also, verify the data cartridge is readable by clearing the message and attempting to read the tape again.
S
serranojohnSep 5, 2025
Why is the cleaning cartridge ejected immediately after loading in HP LTO Ultrium Storage?
- S
  Sarah MurphySep 5, 2025
  To solve the issue of a cleaning cartridge being ejected immediately after loading in your HP Storage, ensure you are using an approved, unexpired LTO Ultrium Universal cleaning cartridge.
K
Kenneth MurphySep 9, 2025
What to do if HP LTO Ultrium requires cleaning with a new data cartridge?
- M
  Michele FosterSep 9, 2025
  If the library operator panel indicates cleaning is required when using a brand new data cartridge with your HP Storage, clean the outside of the data cartridge with a barely damp, clean, lint-free cloth. Also, clean the drive following the instructions in your tape library documentation and if needed, replace the data cartridge.

Summary

Physical Dimensions

Fixing Dimensions

Details on screw types, torque, and clearance for drive mounting.

Full-Height Drive Mounting

Screw length recommendations based on server rail thickness for full-height drives.

Half-Height Drive Mounting

Screw penetration limits for side and bottom mounting of half-height drives.

Electrical and Environmental Requirements

Electrical Fit

Overview of electrical considerations for drive installation and compatibility.

Power Requirements

PSU requirements for FC and SAS full-height and half-height drives.

Voltage and Current Requirements

Detailed voltage and current specifications for full-height drives.

Airflow Requirements

Required airflow specifications for full-height drives based on ambient temperature.

Internal Drive Temperature Measurement

Recommended method for measuring critical internal component temperatures.

Airflow and Cooling

Conditions for forced airflow to maintain optimal operating temperatures.

Optional Fan Plate

Information on the optional fan plate for meeting airflow requirements.

Extracting Internal Temperature Information

Procedure for extracting drive temperature data via interface commands.

Front Panel and LEDs

Front Panel Features

Describes the eject button, reset switch, and LED indicators on the front panel.

LED Meanings and Patterns

Explains the usual meaning of drive LEDs and common patterns for troubleshooting.

Rear Panel and Connectors

Rear Panel Component Identification

Identifies rear panel connectors and LEDs for full-height and half-height drives.

Full-Height Drive LEDs and Signals

Explains LEDs for FC drives, power-on self-test, port status, and FC addressing.

Connector Interfaces

Details Fibre Channel and SAS connectors, including pinouts and automation interfaces.

Interface Schematics and Specifications

Provides schematics for ADI-LED, iADT ports, and fan control connectors.

Cartridges

Cartridge Selection and Handling

Covers choosing, labeling, and write-protecting LTO Ultrium cartridges.

Cartridge Care and Environmental Conditions

Details on avoiding condensation, conditions for use, storage, and maximizing tape life.

LTO Cartridge Memory (LTO-CM)

Explains the function of LTO-CM and common issues encountered.

Planning Your System Configuration

Modes of Usage

Describes different system configurations for HP LTO Ultrium tape drives.

Optimizing Performance

Factors affecting tape drive performance, especially in network environments.

Dedicated Bus

Recommendation for optimal performance: the tape drive as the sole device on the bus.

System Performance Considerations

Discusses bottlenecks and requirements for achieving desired drive performance.

Data Rate Matching (DRM)

Explanation of how DRM enables variable tape speed for streaming data.

Performance Checklist

Summary of factors affecting performance for investigation.

Installing and Replacing Drives

Installation Prerequisites and Safety

Covers server installation, model identification, and safety standards during installation.

Mounting and Server Connections

Details mounting requirements, SAS server connections, and supported bus types.

Drive Connection and Software

Explains SAS connector, backup software requirements, and drive ID strings.

Installation in Tape Arrays

Covers rack-mount systems, airflow, identification, modes of usage, and SAS attachment.

Drive Replacement and Library Installation

Details connecting to FC/SAS, replacing drives, and installing in libraries.

Standalone Drive Installation and Moving

Guides for installing standalone drives and precautions for moving drives with tape.

Operating the Drive

Power-On Self-Test and Basic Operations

Explains the drive's self-test sequence and initial status LEDs.

Cartridge Loading and Unloading

Provides procedures for loading and unloading tape cartridges into the drive.

Drive Cleaning and Resetting

Details the process for cleaning drive heads and resetting drives in a library.

Troubleshooting

General Troubleshooting Guidelines

Provides basic steps for isolating problems and general advice for troubleshooting.

Host Computer and Software Issues

Addresses problems related to the host computer, OS, and backup application recognition.

Drive and Cartridge Problems

Covers issues like the drive not powering up, application not recognizing it, or cartridge issues.

Cartridge Ejection and Acceptance Issues

Details troubleshooting for cartridges that won't eject or be accepted by the drive.

Tape Array and Cleaning Problems

Addresses issues with the computer not recognizing drives in an array and cleaning-related problems.

Special Features for Automation

Introduction and Backup Software

Overview of automation features, backup software, and drive ID strings for libraries.

Automation Front Panel Designs

Details on front panels for automation use and for autoloaders.

Automation Interface Protocols

Explains ACI, ADI, and iADT interfaces for library automation.

Security and Configuration

Covers Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and network security configurations.

Autoload, Cartridge Handling, and Scenarios

Details autoload configuration, cartridge positions, load/unload scenarios, and CM usage.

Drive Error Codes

Generic Module and Automation Interface Errors

Lists error codes for generic module (0000h) and Automation Control Interface (0400h).

Buffer Manager and Diagnostic Control Errors

Details errors from buffer manager (0800h) and diagnostic control (1800h).

Drive Control, Monitor, and Interface Errors

Covers errors for drive control (1C00h), monitor (2000h), and interfaces (2400h, 2800h, 2C01h).

Logical and Pipeline Control Errors

Lists error codes for logical formatter (3000h) and logical pipeline control (3800h).

Media and Mechanism Errors

Covers errors related to logical media (3400h) and mechanism control (3C00h).

Data Management and System Errors

Details errors from non-volatile data manager (4000h), OS (4400h), and physical formatter (4C00h).

Pipeline, Recovery, and Read;Write Errors

Lists errors for physical pipeline (5000h), side error recovery (5400h), and read/write control (5800h).

System and Interface Errors

Covers errors from system architecture (6400h), tight integ (6800h), trace logger (6C00h), and mechanical interface (7400h).

Interface and Module Specific Errors

Lists errors for SPI interface (7C00h), cartridge memory (8000h), and fault log manager (8400h).

Infrastructure and SCSI Module Errors

Covers errors from infrastructure (8800h), critical section (8C00h), and SCSI module (9400h).

Automation;Drive Interface Errors

Details errors related to the Automation/Drive Interface (ADI) (9800h).

Management API and Servo Errors

Lists errors for Management API (9C00h) and Servo (A000h).

Certificate Manager and Cryptographic Errors

Covers errors from Certificate Manager (A400h) and Cryptographic Algorithms (A800h).

Support and Other Resources

Documentation Navigation Map

Provides cross-references to locate information across different volumes of the manual.

Drive General Information

Maps topics like connectors and LEDs for FC and SAS drives across manual sections.

Installation and Configuration Information

Guides users to relevant chapters for installing and configuring drives by type.

System Configuration and Operation Details

Directs users to chapters covering system configuration and drive operation for different drive types.

Cartridge and Interface Information

Points to chapters detailing cartridge memory, management, and host interface guides.

Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Errors

Guides users to chapters on maintenance, troubleshooting, and dealing with drive errors.

LTO Ultrium Features and Support

Lists key LTO Ultrium features and relevant support information.

Glossary

AL_PA

Arbitrated Loop Physical Address, a 1-byte value used to identify L_ports on a loop.

ANSI

American National Standards Institute, sets standards for Fibre Channel, SCSI, and electrical devices.

Arbitrated Loop

A Fibre Channel topology with up to 126 NL_ports, allowing unidirectional loops with priority access.

HP LTO Ultrium Specifications

General

Category	Tape Drive
Capacity (Compressed)	Up to 30 TB (LTO-8), Up to 45 TB (LTO-9)
Transfer Rate (Compressed)	Up to 900 MB/s (LTO-8), Up to 1000 MB/s (LTO-9)
Interface	SAS, Fibre Channel
Technology	Linear Tape-Open (LTO)
WORM Support	Yes
Encryption Support	Yes (AES 256-bit)
Partitioning Support	Yes
Capacity (Native)	Up to 12 TB (LTO-8), Up to 18 TB (LTO-9)
Transfer Rate (Native)	Up to 360 MB/s (LTO-8), Up to 400 MB/s (LTO-9)
Backward Read Compatibility	Yes (LTO-8 reads LTO-7, LTO-6; LTO-9 reads LTO-8, LTO-7)
Backward Write Compatibility	Yes (LTO-8 writes to LTO-7; LTO-9 writes to LTO-8)