IBM 3580-L33 Tape drive

The new IBM TotalStorage® 3580 Tape Drive Model L33 is designed to offer high capacity, performance, and technology designed for the midrange open systems environment. This model incorporates the new Linear Tape-Open (LTO) IBM TotalStorage Ultrium 3 Tape Drive , which more than doubles maximum tape drive throughput data rate performance over the LTO generation 2 Tape Drive (Ultrium 2), up to 80 MB/sec native data transfer rate. In addition, with the use of the new IBM TotalStorage LTO Ultrium 400 GB Data Cartridge , the Ultrium 3 Tape Drive doubles the tape cartridge capacity up to 400 GB native physical capacity (800 GB with 2:1 compression). IBM Ultrium 3 Tape Drives can read and write LTO Ultrium 2 Data Cartridges and read LTO Ultrium 1 Data Cartridges. The Model L33 comes with a SCSI Ultra160 LVD attachment, for connection to a wide spectrum of open system servers.

Other Ultrium 3 Tape Drive enhancements:

New dual stage 16 channel head actuator — designed to provide precision head alignment to help support higher track density and improved data integrity and backwards compatibility with previous LTO generations.
New independent tape loader and threader motors and positive pin retention — designed to help improve drive reliability.
Graceful dynamic braking — designed to maintain tension to help prevent stretching or breaking the tape and loose tape wraps.
Larger internal buffer — the internal buffer size has been doubled over the Ultrium 2 to 128 MB.
Highly integrated electronics using IBM engineered copper technology — designed to provide for a more reliable drive.
The 3580 Tape Drive is an external stand-alone or rack-mountable unit and is the entry point for the family of IBM Ultrium tape products. The 3580 Tape Drive provides an excellent migration path from digital linear tape (DLT or SDLT), 1/4-inch, 4mm, or 8mm tape drives.

Product preview

IBM intends to further introduce and integrate the IBM TotalStorage Ultrium 3 Tape Drive technology in selected existing, additional, or alternative IBM TotalStorage 358x products.

Previews provide insight into IBM plans and direction. Specific availability dates, ordering information, and terms and conditions will be provided when the product is announced.