Dell Tape Compatibility Matrix Compatibility-matrix2
Dell Tape Compatibility Matrix Compatibility-matrix2
Rev. A53
Revisions
Revisions
Date Description
February 2022 Rev. A53
Acknowledgments
Author: Dell Tape Development Engineering
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or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners. [2/14/2022] [Compatibility Matrix] [Rev. A53]
Table of contents
Revisions............................................................................................................................................................................. 2
Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................................................................... 2
Table of contents ................................................................................................................................................................ 3
1 Overview....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2 Dell PowerVault Tape Compatibility ............................................................................................................................. 5
2.1 PowerVault Drives Internal to Servers ............................................................................................................... 5
2.2 PowerVault 114X and Desktop Models .............................................................................................................. 6
2.3 Dell EMC ML3/ML3E .......................................................................................................................................... 7
2.4 PowerVault TL1000 ............................................................................................................................................ 8
2.5 PowerVault TL2000/4000 ................................................................................................................................... 9
2.5 ML6000 .............................................................................................................................................................10
2.6 Dell PowerEdge Server to HBA Compatibility ..................................................................................................11
3 Operating System Compatibility .................................................................................................................................13
4 Backup Software Compatibility...................................................................................................................................14
5 Linear Tape File System Single Drive Edition (LTFS-SDE) Compatibility .................................................................15
6 Linear Tape File System Library Edition (LTFS LE) Compatibility .............................................................................16
7 Library Encryption ......................................................................................................................................................17
8 Dell Encryption Key Manager 3.0 Support .................................................................................................................18
9 Media Compatibility ....................................................................................................................................................19
10 LTO7 Type M media ...................................................................................................................................................20
10.1 Using LTO7 Type M media in Dell EMC tape libraries .....................................................................................20
10.2 Using LTO7 Type M media in Dell EMC tape drives ........................................................................................20
10.3 Formatting an LTO7 Type M tape in a Dell EMC library ..................................................................................20
11 Enterprise Infrastructure Planning Tool ......................................................................................................................21
1 Overview
Dell tape solutions are tested with a wide range of platforms, backup software, and media to help ensure
trouble-free, reliable performance. This matrix can help you determine if your tape backup components are
compatible. See the Dell Support website at www.dell.com/support for service and warranty-related items.
Some products that are listed may no longer be offered for sale. Check with your Sales Representative for
current portfolio offerings.
Dell has not tested or validated tape drives or tape libraries that are connected to Virtual Machines.
Note: Dell is providing the information in this matrix as a convenience to its customers. THE INFORMATION
IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE AND IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF
ANY KIND. The limited warranties for Dell products are set forth exclusively in the documentation
accompanying such products. Nothing herein should be construed as modifying those limited warranties in
any way.
Dell recommends using the driver that is supplied with the operating system (INBOX) for proper operation
when the backup software does not provide a driver. Always consult the backup software documentation for
drive requirements.
Note: LTO8 requires a HOTFIX for INBOX device driver recognition with Windows Server 2012 R2 and
Windows Server 2016. Go to the LTO8 product page on https://www.dell.com/support for additional
information.
Dell recommends using the driver that is supplied with the operating system (INBOX) for proper operation
when the backup software does not provide a driver. Always consult the backup software documentation for
drive requirements.
Note: LTO8 requires a HOTFIX for INBOX device driver recognition with Windows Server 2012 R2 and
Windows Server 2016. Go to the LTO8 product page on https://www.dell.com/support for additional
information.
Drive Model Dell HBA Dell 12 Gbps LPe1600x LPe1200x LPe31xxx/ QLE246x QLE256x QLE26xx BR8x5
355e SAS HBA FC HBA FC HBA 35xxx FC HBA FC HBA FC HBA FC HBA
Note: Model BR815 and BR825 do not support direct attach to tape drive. LPe31002/35002 and the ML3
Drive/Set to Fabric passed testing direct connect.
Dell recommends using the driver that is supplied with the operating system (INBOX) for proper operation
when the backup software does not provide a driver. Always consult the backup software documentation for
drive requirements. The IBM device drive is provided for failover purposes and backup applications that do
not permit INBOX drive usage.
Dell recommends using the driver that is supplied with the operating system (INBOX) for proper operation
when the backup software does not provide a driver. Always consult the backup software documentation for
drive requirements. The IBM device drive is provided for failover purposes and backup applications that do
not permit INBOX drive usage.
X = Supported
Note: Model BR815, BR825, and LPe31xxx do not support direct attach to tape drive.
Dell recommends using the driver that is supplied with the operating system (INBOX) for proper operation
when the backup software does not provide a driver. Always consult the backup software documentation for
drive requirements. The IBM device drive is provided for failover purposes and backup applications that do
not permit INBOX drive usage.
2.5 ML6000
Drive Model Dell 6 Gbps Dell 12 Gbps LPE1200x LPe1600x LPe31xxx QLE246x QLE256x QLE26xx BR8x5
SAS HBA SAS HBA FC HBA FC HBA FC HBA FC HBA FC HBA FC HBA
Note: Model BR815, BR825, and LPe31xxx do not support direct attach to tape drive.
Dell recommends using the driver that is supplied with the operating system (INBOX) for proper operation
when the backup software does not provide a driver. Always consult the backup software documentation for
drive requirements. The IBM device drive is provided for failover purposes and backup applications that do
not permit INBOX drive usage.
Note: LTO8 requires a HOTFIX for INBOX device driver recognition with Windows Server 2012 R2 and
Windows Server 2016. Go to the LTO8 product page on https://www.dell.com/support for additional
information.
NX3240 NX3340
Note: 6 Gbps and 12 Gbps cards are not interchangeable between the server generations. 13G and 14G
servers only support 12 Gbps SAS adapters.
Note: IBM support for a SAS interposer/fan-out cable is mentioned in Chapter 3 of the ML3 Users Guide. As
a convenience we are including the comment from that section as well as the part numbers here.
The fan out cables are sold by ATTO and are available through our S&P org.
Excerpt from ML3 users guide: If you are using a SAS fanout / Interposer cable, the end of the cable with only
one connector must be plugged into the HBA.
Note: Model BR815 and BR825 do not support direct attach to tape drive. The LPE31002 with ML3 Drives set
to Fabric have passed ISV testing with Direct Connections. For more information, see your Server Specific
Supported HBA list.
Always consult with your ISV application for specific operating system version compatibility.
*All Dell tape drives supported in Data Protection Manager 2007 are also supported in Data Protection
Manager 2010.
Click on the link below for the Dell EMC NetWorker Hardware Compatibility Guide.
https://www.delltechnologies.com/asset/en-us/products/storage/technical-support/docu34173.pdf
Use the Find Product tab and enter IBM Spectrum Archive Single Drive Edition (SDE) for the Product
Selector.
Additional Information:
http://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/STZMZN/com.ibm.storage.hollywood.doc/ltfs_le_ichome.html
Other countries and languages can be selected from www.ibm.com. Customers must search for “LTFS LE” to
locate the local link.
Dell customers must purchase the IBM LTFS LE software directly from IBM. Dell customers with existing IBM
sales relationships can purchase through their IBM sales representative.
7 Library Encryption
Dell PowerVault tape libraries support both Application-Managed Encryption and Library-Managed
Encryption.
Library-Managed Encryption – Library encryption activation license is required for the PowerVault TL2000,
TL4000 and ML60x0 libraries, contact Dell sales. The PowerVault TL1000 is sold as encryption enabled or
disabled at the time of purchase. TL1000 units cannot be changed from the original factory configuration of
encryption disabled. The Dell EMC ML3/ML3E library has an LME feature that is enabled by Default and no
further licensing is required.
Compatibility testing is ongoing to ensure that basic LME connectivity and functionality exists with commercial
key management software applications. Always consult the independent software provider for full application
support.
Dell customers using Dell Encryption Key Manager 3.0 (EKM 3.0) may use the software through the end of
support life of the initial support contract of the PowerVault TL2000, TL4000, and ML6000 tape libraries with
which EKM 3.0 was purchased. However, no operating system or hardware updates or fixes are available for
the EKM 3.0 software. Customers needing updates (such as Microsoft Windows 2012 and LTO7) must
purchase the IBM SLKM software.
Dell customers must purchase the IBM SKLM software directly from IBM. US customers can purchase the
software at the following link. Non-US customers can access additional countries and languages on the upper
right side of the page. These pages only list the purchase requirements for Dell customers using the
supported PowerVault tape libraries.
https://www.ibm.com/products/software
For more information about the IBM SKLM software, see the IBM SKLM Knowledge Center at
https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/#!/SSWPVP/welcome.
The latest IBM Tivoli Key Lifecycle Manager Fix Pack (FP7 or greater) is required for migration from the Dell
EKM 3.0 to the IBM SKLM software. This fix pack must be applied to the Dell EKM 3.0 software installation
before starting the migration. This fix pack can be obtained at the IBM Fix Central at the following link:
https://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/
Other countries and languages can be selected at the upper right of the page. A user account must be
created to access Fix Central if an account does not exist.
9 Media Compatibility
LTO media compatibility can be found in the LTO Media Handbook that is in the Manuals and Documents
section at the following link:
https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/product-support/product/ml3-tape-library/docs
Tape Drive
LTO9 LTO8 LTO7 LTO6 LTO5
LTO9 Data Write/Read
LTO9 Worm Write/Read
LTO8 Data Write/Read Write/Read
LTO8 Worm Write/Read Write/Read
LTO7 Type M Write/Read
LTO
Cartridge LTO7 Data Write/Read Write/Read
LTO7 Worm Write/Read Write/Read
LTO6 Data Write/Read Write/Read
LTO6 Worm Write/Read Write/Read
LTO5 Data Read Write/Read Write/Read
LTO5 Worm Read Write/Read Write/Read
LTO Supported Supported Supported Supported Supported
Cleaning
Note: PowerVault RD1000 is not compatible with RDX cartridges that are greater than 2 TB.
ML3–1.1.1.1-B00 or higher
TL1000–0080.3000 or higher
TL2000/TL4000–F.10/3.20e or higher
ML6000 – 710G.GS007 or higher
When a backup job begins, the backup application signals to the library to move a piece of media from a slot
to a drive. The library scans the barcode, picks the media, and signals to the drive the media type before
inserting it into the drive. The tape cartridge is initialized when it is first loaded into the drive and the backup
application writes data at the beginning of tape. This action is sometimes called "labeling a tape" or "writing
from BOT." The tape drive then establishes the density of the media. There must be a “Write from BOT”
before the media can be formatted to the 9 TB capacity. Loading a tape into the drive and ejecting does not
format the media.
http://dell-ui-eipt.azurewebsites.net/#/