Product Description
IBM 5544-E8A TS4300 Tape Library Expansion Module with Expert Care
The IBM 5544-E8A is the TS4300 Tape Library expansion module under the Expert Care machine type. It adds cartridge slots and drive bays to a 5544-L8A base module.
Product Description
The IBM 5544-E8A TS4300 Tape Library Expansion Module with Expert Care is the 3U expansion unit for machine type 5544. IBM introduced machine type 5544 so new TS4300 deployments can use Service Expert Care. Firmware is the same as machine type 3555. Most customer-replaceable units are interchangeable between 3555-E3A and 5544-E8A unless IBM notes a specific exception.
Each E8A module adds 40 cartridge slots in two removable magazines, including a five-slot I/O station. Each module supports up to three half-high LTO drives, one full-high LTO drive, or one full-high plus one half-high drive. A complete library is one 5544-L8A base plus up to fifteen 5544-E8A expansions, for 640 slots and 48 drives.
Machine type 5544 supports LTO-8, LTO-9, and LTO-10 SAS and Fibre Channel drives. Native cartridge capacity is 12 TB for LTO-8, 18 TB for LTO-9, and 40 TB for LTO-10. One expansion module can store up to 480 TB native with LTO-8, 720 TB native with LTO-9, or 1.6 PB native with LTO-10.
Features
- 3U TS4300 expansion module
- Adds 40 cartridge slots and 5 I/O station slots
- Up to 3 half-high LTO drives, 1 full-high drive, or 1 full-high plus 1 half-high drive
- LTO-8, LTO-9, and LTO-10 SAS and Fibre Channel drive support
- Stacks with 5544-L8A to 16 modules, 640 slots, and 48 drives
- Same robotics path and barcode handling as the base module
- IBM Expert Care service machine type
Technical Specifications
- Machine Type-Model: 5544-E8A
- Product Family: IBM TS4300 Tape Library with Expert Care
- Module Role: Expansion module
- Form Factor: 3U
- Cartridge Slots: 40 per module
- I/O Station Slots: 5 per module
- Maximum Drives per Module: 3 half-high, or 1 full-high, or 1 full-high + 1 half-high
- Supported Drives: LTO-8, LTO-9, LTO-10
- Drive Interfaces: SAS and Fibre Channel
- Native Media Capacity: 12 TB (LTO-8), 18 TB (LTO-9), 40 TB (LTO-10)
- Native Capacity per Module: Up to 480 TB (LTO-8), 720 TB (LTO-9), 1.6 PB (LTO-10)
- Maximum Library: 1 x 5544-L8A + 15 x 5544-E8A = 640 slots, 48 drives
- Required Base Module: 5544-L8A
Compatibility
The IBM 5544-E8A TS4300 Tape Library Expansion Module is compatible with:
- Library family: Requires an IBM TS4300 base module. Use 5544-L8A for Expert Care machine type 5544. CRUs are generally interchangeable with 3555-E3A unless IBM documents an exception
- Drives: LTO-8, LTO-9, and LTO-10 half-high and full-high SAS or Fibre Channel drives only. Machine type 5544 does not support LTO-6 or LTO-7 drives
- Hosts: IBM Power Systems running IBM i, AIX, Linux, or VIOS, plus other hosts that support the installed SAS or Fibre Channel LTO interface
- IBM i attach examples: SAS LTO-8 and LTO-9 in 5544/3555; Fibre Channel LTO-8, LTO-9, and LTO-10 in 5544/3555 using supported 8 Gb / 16 Gb / 32 Gb Fibre Channel adapters
- Requirements: Each drive needs a matching SAS or Fibre Channel cable. Rack-mount use requires the TS4300 rack-mount kit
- Limitations: Confirm drive generation, interface, and firmware against the installed 5544 machine type before populating drives or media
Warranty
This product comes with a 60-day warranty covering parts and functionality. IBM Expert Care is the IBM service offering associated with machine type 5544.
