IBM 3592
Encyclopedia
The IBM 3592 is a series of tape drive
s and corresponding magnetic tape data storage
media formats developed by IBM
. The first drive, having the IBM product number 3592, was introduced under the nickname Jaguar. The next drive was the TS1120, also having the nickname Jaguar. As of June, 2011, the latest and current drive is the TS1140. The 3592 line of tape drives and media is not compatible with the IBM 3590
series of drives, which it superseded. This series can store up to 4 TB of data (uncompressed) and has a native data transfer rate of up to 250 MB/s.
Like the 3590 and 3480 before it, this tape format has half inch tape spooled onto 4-by-5-by-1 inch data cartridges containing a single reel. A take-up reel is embedded inside the tape drive. Because of their speed, reliability, durability and low media cost, the 3592 tape drives are still in high demand. A hallmark of the genre is transferability. Tapes recorded with one tape drive are generally readable on another drive, even if the tape drives were built by different manufacturers.
The TS1120, TS1130, and TS1140 drives all include built-in encryption processing, with platform software (for example, z/OS
Security Server) managing encryption keys. Prior drives require server-based software to encrypt and decrypt tapes.
Older generation tapes can be reformatted to higher capacitites with every new drive generation, according to the table below. Cartridges are expected to operate in read and write mode across at least three drive generations. The observed media replacement rate in large archives is therefore lower than with most other standards.
Technically, reformatting a cartridge means increasing its track density (only), as the linear bit density is limited by the tape coating. In the table below, a 'JA' type cartridge can be reformatted from 300GB initially to 640GB in the TS1130 drive. A later 'JB' type cartridge will carry 1TB since its better coating also permits a higher linear bit density. Generally speaking, linear density is limited by material, semiconductor and signal processing technologies, whereas track density is limited by the servo technology that prevents track runout.
Tape drive
A tape drive is a data storage device that reads and performs digital recording, writes data on a magnetic tape. Magnetic tape data storage is typically used for offline, archival data storage. Tape media generally has a favorable unit cost and long archival stability.A tape drive provides...
s and corresponding magnetic tape data storage
Magnetic tape data storage
Magnetic tape data storage uses digital recording on to magnetic tape to store digital information. Modern magnetic tape is most commonly packaged in cartridges and cassettes. The device that performs actual writing or reading of data is a tape drive...
media formats developed by IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
. The first drive, having the IBM product number 3592, was introduced under the nickname Jaguar. The next drive was the TS1120, also having the nickname Jaguar. As of June, 2011, the latest and current drive is the TS1140. The 3592 line of tape drives and media is not compatible with the IBM 3590
IBM 3590
The IBM 3590 is a series of tape drives and corresponding magnetic tape data storage media formats developed by IBM. The first drive, having the IBM product number 3590, was introduced in 1995 under the nickname Magstar. The 3590 series of tape drives and media are not compatible with the IBM...
series of drives, which it superseded. This series can store up to 4 TB of data (uncompressed) and has a native data transfer rate of up to 250 MB/s.
Like the 3590 and 3480 before it, this tape format has half inch tape spooled onto 4-by-5-by-1 inch data cartridges containing a single reel. A take-up reel is embedded inside the tape drive. Because of their speed, reliability, durability and low media cost, the 3592 tape drives are still in high demand. A hallmark of the genre is transferability. Tapes recorded with one tape drive are generally readable on another drive, even if the tape drives were built by different manufacturers.
The TS1120, TS1130, and TS1140 drives all include built-in encryption processing, with platform software (for example, z/OS
Z/OS
z/OS is a 64-bit operating system for mainframe computers, produced by IBM. It derives from and is the successor to OS/390, which in turn followed a string of MVS versions.Starting with earliest:*OS/VS2 Release 2 through Release 3.8...
Security Server) managing encryption keys. Prior drives require server-based software to encrypt and decrypt tapes.
Drives
- IBM3592 ("Generation 1")
- TS1120 ("Generation 2")
- TS1130 ("Generation 3")
- TS1140 ("Generation 4")
Re-usable Media
Unlike many other tape standards, the 3592 format allows an extensive re-use of cartridges previously purchased:Older generation tapes can be reformatted to higher capacitites with every new drive generation, according to the table below. Cartridges are expected to operate in read and write mode across at least three drive generations. The observed media replacement rate in large archives is therefore lower than with most other standards.
Technically, reformatting a cartridge means increasing its track density (only), as the linear bit density is limited by the tape coating. In the table below, a 'JA' type cartridge can be reformatted from 300GB initially to 640GB in the TS1130 drive. A later 'JB' type cartridge will carry 1TB since its better coating also permits a higher linear bit density. Generally speaking, linear density is limited by material, semiconductor and signal processing technologies, whereas track density is limited by the servo technology that prevents track runout.
| Tape length (m) | 3592 J1A drive | TS1120 drive | TS1130 drive | TS1140 drive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3592 JJ/JR cartridge | 246 m | 60 GB | 100 GB | 128 GB | n/a |
| 3592 JA/JW cartridge | 610 m | 300 GB | 500 GB | 640 GB | n/a |
| 3592 JB/JX cartridge | 825 m | 700 GB | 1 TB | 1.6TB | |
| 3592 JC/JY cartridge | 880 m | n/a | n/a | 4TB | |
| 3592 JK (short JC) cartridge | 146 m | n/a | n/a | 500GB | |