The StorageExpress system is designed to deliver reliable protection for network data. Each element is vital to the integrity of the system. This technical brief will focus on the proper selection, care and maintenance for the media and tape drives.
Clean tape drives regularly and often, always marking the date on the cartridge label.
Plan to retire data tapes well in advance of the manufactures recommended duty cycle. The quality and condition of media used in a data protection system will impact the performance and the length of service for that device. For this reason it is imperative to use high quality data grade tapes. These tapes are not manufactured to the tight specifications of data-grade tapes. Central Console software on the StorageExpress system automatically alerts you to clean the tape drives after 30 hours of drive use.