Product Description
IBM 3573-L2U TS3100 Tape Library Express Model L2U with Encryption (Feature 5900)
The IBM TS3100 Tape Library Express Model L2U (machine type 3573) is a compact 2U tape library designed for entry-level unattended backup, archive, and data protection. With the optional Library Managed Encryption feature (#5900), it provides hardware-based AES-256 encryption on supported LTO Ultrium drives for secure, compliant data storage in AIX, IBM i, Linux, and VIOS environments.
Product Description
The IBM 3573-L2U TS3100 Tape Library Express Model L2U is a 2U stand-alone or rack-mountable (with separate #7002 kit) tape library supporting one full-high or up to two half-high LTO Ultrium drives. It holds 24 tape cartridges across two removable magazines (left magazine with 11 slots + 1 I/O station; right magazine with 12 slots). The library supports sequential or random access mode with a standard barcode reader and remote management unit for easy monitoring. Feature #5900 adds LTO Library Managed Encryption (System Managed and Library Managed modes) on compatible LTO Ultrium 4 and later drives, enabling transparent AES-256 encryption without host overhead. Encryption requires the IBM Encryption Key Manager and is supported on AIX, IBM i (i5/OS V6R1+), Linux, Windows, HP-UX, and Solaris platforms. The TS3100 is ideal for midrange backup, archival, disaster recovery, and compliance storage, offering high reliability at open-systems pricing with LTFS support for LTO-5 through LTO-8 drives.
Features
- 24 cartridge slots (two removable magazines for quick media handling)
- Standard 1-cartridge I/O station for continuous operation during import/export
- Supports one full-high or up to two half-high LTO Ultrium drives (intermixed generations where space allows)
- Barcode reader and remote management unit for automation and monitoring
- Library Managed Encryption (#5900) with AES-256 support on LTO-4 and later drives
- WORM media support for regulatory compliance and data retention
- LTFS (Linear Tape File System) support for LTO-5 through LTO-8 drives
- Path failover option (#1682) for automatic control/data path redundancy in SAN environments
- Customer-replaceable units (CRUs) for drives, power supply, and magazines
- Optional additional magazines (#8106 right-side, #8109 left-side 2U)
Technical Specifications
- Feature Code: 3573-L2U (library) + #5900 (encryption)
- CCIN: Not assigned (library model)
- Part Number: Varies by configuration (base library + drive and encryption options)
- Form Factor: 2U rack-mountable (requires separate #7002 rack kit) or stand-alone
- Dimensions (Rack-Mounted): 17.6 in W × 3.44 in H × 29.13 in D (447.5 mm × 87.6 mm × 740 mm)
- Cartridge Capacity: 24 (base); up to 36 with optional magazines
- Native Data Capacity: Up to 8.8 TB (LTO-8 example); varies by drive/media
- Compressed Data Capacity: Up to 17.6 TB (2:1 typical); up to 30 TB (LTO-8 with 2.5:1)
- Drive Support: LTO Ultrium 3–8 (half-high or full-high, SAS/FC/SCSI)
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- Support for a single IBM LTO Ultrium 7 Full-High Tape Drive:
- Support for a single IBM LTO Ultrium 6 Full-High Tape Drive:
- Support for a single IBM LTO Ultrium 5 Full-High Tape Drive:
- Support for a single IBM LTO Ultrium 4 Full-High Tape Drive:
- Support for up to two IBM LTO Ultrium 8 Half-High Tape Drives:
- Support for up to two IBM LTO Ultrium 7 Half-High Tape Drives:
- Support for up to two IBM LTO Ultrium 6 Half-High Tape Drives:
- Support for up to two IBM LTO Ultrium 5 Half-High Tape Drives:
- Support for up to two IBM LTO Ultrium 4 Half-High Tape Drives:
- Support for Ultrium 8, 7, 6, 5, and 4 Tape Drives
- Ultrium 8 drive data rate of up to 300 MB/sec native
- Ultrium 7 drive data rate of up to 300 MB/sec native
- Ultrium 6 drive data rate of up to 160 MB/sec native
- Ultrium 5 drive data rate of up to 140 MB/sec native
- Ultrium 4 drive data rate of up to 120 MB/sec native
- Ultrium 8 Tape Cartridge capacity of up to 12 TB (30 TB with 2.5:1 compression)
- Ultrium 7 Type M Tape Cartridge capacity of up to 9 TB (22.5 TB with 2.5:1 compression)
- Ultrium 7 Tape Cartridge capacity of up to 6 (15 TB with 2.5:1 compression)
- Ultrium 6 Tape Cartridge capacity of up to 2.5 TB (6.25 TB with 2.5:1 compression)
- Ultrium 5 Tape Cartridge capacity of up to 1.5 TB (3.0 TB with 2:1 compression)
- Ultrium 4 Tape Cartridge capacity of up to 800 GB (1.6 TB with 2:1 compression)
- Power: 100–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; ~0.1 kVA
- Compatibility: Open systems attachment (AIX, IBM i, Linux, Windows, HP-UX, Solaris)
Compatibility
The IBM 3573-L2U TS3100 Tape Library Express Model L2U with Encryption is compatible with:
- Power Systems Models: All Power8, Power9, Power10, and legacy Power servers with supported SAS/FC/SCSI HBAs or tape controllers
- Operating Systems: AIX, IBM i (i5/OS V6R1+), Linux (RHEL/SUSE/Ubuntu), VIOS, Windows, HP-UX, Sun Solaris
- Drive Options: LTO Ultrium 3–8 half-high or full-high drives (encryption supported on LTO-4 and later with #5900)
- Media: LTO-3 to LTO-8 Ultrium cartridges (including WORM)
- Enclosures: Stand-alone or rack-mounted (with #7002 kit)
- Limitations: Encryption (#5900) requires compatible LTO-4+ drives and Encryption Key Manager; some older drive features no longer available; SAS cable length limited to 6 m; Fibre Channel cable length limited to 500 m; operating environment must meet media requirements
Verify exact drive configuration, 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.
