Differences between 3590 Model B , E, and H Tape Drives

Resolving The Problem

i OS Supported Release Note: The 3590 tape devices and libraries are not supported at V7R2 and above.

The 3590 tape drives, models B , E, and H, can all use the 3590 High Performance (blue) and Extended High Performance cartridges.

The 3590 Model Bxx can read and write at a density of *FMT3590. The 3590 Model Bxx cannot read *FMT3590E or *FMT3590H formatted cartridges.

The 3590 Model Exx can read and write at a density of *FMT3590E formatted cartridges and can read *FMT3590 cartridges; however, it cannot write to a density of *FMT3590. These drives cannot initialize cartridges at a density of *FMT3590.

The 3590 Model Hxx can read and write at a density of *FMT3590H formatted cartridges and can read *FMT3590 and *FMT3590E cartridges; however, it cannot write to a density of *FMT3590 or *FMT3590E. These drives cannot initialize cartridges at a density of *FMT3590 or *FMT3590E. There is no performance increase over E models.

The only difference between the blue and green cartridges is that the green cartridges are extended-length cartridges.

Model	3590 B	3590 B-Ultra	3590 E	3590 H
Data Transfer Rate (see Note 1)	13 MB/s	13MB/s	13 MB/s	13 MB/s
Data Transfer Rate (see Note 2)	14 MB/s	17 MB/s	17 MB/s	17 MB/s
Data Transfer Rate (see Note 3)			27 MB/s	27 MB/s
Data Transfer Rate (see Note 4)			42 MB/s @ 3:1 compression	42 MB/s @ 3:1 compression
Read Formats	FMT3590	FMT3590	FMT3590 FMT3590E	FMT3590, FMT3590E, FMT3590H
Write Formats	FMT3590	FMT3590	FMT3590E	FMT3590H

FMT3590 is 128 track and FMT3590E is 256 track and FMT3590H is 384 track.

Notes:

1.	Attached to IOP 2729 (under a 2809) and running R450 and below.
2.	Attached to IOPs 6501 or 6534 and running R450 and below. (3590 Hxx is not supported on 6501 IOPs).
3.	Attached to IOP 2749 and running R450 or above.
4.	Attached to IOA 2765 running R510 or above (the IOA has a transfer rate of 100 MB/s) . The Native transfer rate for the drive is 14MB/s. Compression is the default setting for these drives.

Refer to document N1017940, D/T3590 Tape Drive Performance.

3590 Tape drives cannot read or write 3480 or 3490 cartridges and, therefore, are not compatible with 3480, 3490, or 3490E drives. In addition, 3490 and 3490E drives cannot read 3590 cartridges.

High Performance cartridges have a blue leader block assembly and blue labels.

Write Format	FMT3590	FMT3590	FMT3590E	FMT3590H
Data Capacity -	10GB	10GB	20GB	30GB
with compression (3:1)	30GB	30GB	60GB	90GB

The new Extended High Performance cartridges have a green leader block assembly and green labels.

Write Format	FMT3590	FMT3590	FMT3590E	FMT3590H
Data Capacity -	20GB	20GB	40GB	60GB
with compression (3:1)	60GB	60GB	120GB	180GB

Type K media (green) requires hardware upgrade on 3590 drives to support it. To use new, extended length media, the required hardware and microcode updates must be installed:

o	MES upgrade for 3590 Model B is FC5780.
o	MES upgrade for 3590 Model E is FC5781.
o	New 3590 Model E drives shipped after 03/03/2000 come equipped with the extended length feature.
o	3590 Model B-to-E conversion requires FC5781.
o	Models A14/C12/C14 and 3494 L10/L12/L14/D12/D14 is FC9780, This is plant only to track that drives are K ready.

A physical check to see if the drive is K ready is to look at rear of drive. There will be a 2X label below the serial number if it is ready for K media. In addition, the HGA will have a 2X label on it and the machine reel flange will be green.

CE Drive Options Menu has a setting that must be set after hardware and microcode upgrade: Hdwr present/Not present for Dbl Lngth Tape.

Type K media is supported at the following levels or higher:

o	Base 3590Bxx D0IA_4F6
o	Ultra 3590Bxx D0IB_8BE
o	3590Exx D0IC_AB5
o	3590AXX 1.10.4.2 includes above drive levels.
o	3494 Library Manager LM521.17 or LM523.06 and higher is required.