Product Description
IBM 3573-8248 Ultrium 5 Half-High Fibre Channel Drive for TS3100/TS3200 Tape Library
The IBM 3573-8248 is an Ultrium 5 half-high Fibre Channel tape drive designed for the TS3100 Tape Library Express Model L2U. It delivers 1.5 TB native capacity (up to 3.0 TB compressed with 2:1 ratio) and up to 140 MB/sec native transfer rate, with hardware-based AES-256 encryption support when feature #5900 is enabled, making it ideal for secure backup, archival, disaster recovery, and compliance storage in AIX, IBM i, Linux, and VIOS environments.
Product Description
The IBM 3573-8248 Ultrium 5 Half-High Fibre Channel Drive is a field-installable drive for the TS3200 L4U library (machine type 3573). It uses an 8 Gb/s Fibre Channel interface (dual-ported with two LC Duplex connectors) and supports LTO Ultrium 5 media at 1.5 TB native capacity. With 2:1 compression, it achieves up to 3.0 TB per cartridge. The drive writes 16 data tracks simultaneously, includes a 256 MB internal buffer, and features digital speed matching from 40 to 140 MB/sec for optimal performance. It supports library-managed encryption (#5900 prerequisite) using AES-256, along with WORM media for regulatory compliance. The drive is read/write compatible with LTO-4 cartridges and read compatible with LTO-3. It fits in the TS3100 L2U library (up to two half-high drives or one full-high drive) and is designed for high-reliability operation with TMR head technology, dual-stage actuators, and advanced error correction. The 3573-8248 is perfect for enterprise backup and long-term archival in Power Systems environments attached via Fibre Channel HBAs.
Features
- 1.5 TB native / up to 3.0 TB compressed capacity per LTO-5 cartridge
- Up to 140 MB/sec native transfer rate with digital speed matching
- 8 Gb/s dual-ported Fibre Channel interface (two LC Duplex connectors)
- Hardware AES-256 encryption support with Library Managed Encryption (#5900)
- Backward read/write compatibility with LTO-4; read compatibility with LTO-3
- WORM media support for compliance and data retention
- 256 MB internal data buffer and LTO-DC compression (Lempel-Ziv with Scheme-Swapping)
- Advanced reliability features: TMR heads, dual-stage actuators, graceful dynamic braking, SARS failure isolation
- Hot-plug drive sled support in the TS3100 library
- LED indicators for drive status, activity, and error conditions
Technical Specifications
- Feature Code: 8248
- CCIN: Not assigned (drive, no CCIN)
- Part Number: Varies by configuration (typically included with library orders)
- Capacity: 1.5 TB native / up to 3.0 TB compressed (2:1 ratio)
- Transfer Rate: Up to 140 MB/sec native
- Interface: 8 Gb/s Fibre Channel (dual-ported LC Duplex)
- Form Factor: Half-high (one fits in TS3100 L2U library, two fit in TS3200 L4U library)
- Media Compatibility: LTO Ultrium 5 (RW), LTO-4 (RW), LTO-3 (read only), LTO-5 WORM
- Buffer Size: 256 MB
- MTBF: High reliability with TMR heads, dual-stage actuator, and advanced error correction
- Power Consumption: Integrated in library power budget (~0.1 kVA total for library)
- Compatibility: TS3100 L2U library only (up to two half-high drives)
Compatibility
The IBM 3573-8248 Ultrium 5 Half-High Fibre Channel Drive is compatible with:
- Tape Library: TS3100/TS3200 Tape Library Express Model L2U/L4U (machine type 3573)
- Power Systems Models: All Power8, Power9, Power10, and legacy Power servers with supported 8 Gb/s Fibre Channel HBAs
- Operating Systems: AIX, IBM i (i5/OS V6R1+), Linux (RHEL/SUSE/Ubuntu), VIOS, Windows, HP-UX, Solaris
- Media: LTO-5, LTO-4, LTO-3 Ultrium cartridges (including WORM)
- Encryption: Requires feature #5900 (LTO Library Managed Encryption) and IBM Security Key Lifecycle Manager V1
- Limitations: Field installation only; maximum two half-high drives per TS3100 L2U; Fibre Channel cable length limited to 500 m; older LTO generations have reduced capacity/performance; encryption requires compatible key management software
Verify exact library configuration, Fibre Channel HBA compatibility, firmware levels, and OS patch levels via IBM documentation for the TS3100 Tape Library.
Warranty
This product comes with a 60-day warranty covering parts and functionality.
