IBM Magstar MP 3570
Tape Data Recovery - IBM Magstar MP 3570
IBM Magstar MP 3570 is a series of multipurpose tape drives and their corresponding magnetic tape data storage media formats developed by IBM. IBM 3570 was designed for use in mid-range computer systems and automated tape libraries, especially for fastest access to the data.
Features
Magstar MP 3570 uses small dual-reel tape cartridge which was introduced in1996. The design enabled quick tape load and unload. They used heavy duty media and cartridges, and so they were highly reliable. They were used extensively for tape handling in automated libraries.
IBM improved 3570 in 1998 to increase both capacity and speed. In this, the tape format was based on an 8-mm tape with 128 tracks arranged in longitudinal serpentine format. While the tapes used a metal particle technology, the tape drives used a magneto-resistive head technology. 3570 was also featured with built-in LZ1 data compression method.
IBM 3570 originally used B-type tapes, which had a native capacity of 5 GB. They were followed by C-type tapes with the same capacity, but higher speed. The last tape media, called the C-XL had a native capacity of 7 GB and had 3:1 data compression ratio.
IBM 3570 product line consists of three types of tape systems: individual tape drives such as IBM 3570-B00, table-top or rack-mounted tape auto-loaders with one or two drives such as the IBM 3570-B12, and stand-alone tape libraries such as the IBM 3575.
Magstar MP 3570 was specifically designed for fastest access to the data. Interestingly, slower tape technologies with higher per-tape capacities owned more success in the marketplace, and the IBM 3570 technology could not gain significant share of the market.
