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“No suitable tape drives found!” upgrading to Quantum LTO-7
I just purchased a Quantum LTO-7 Tape Drive (TC-L72BN-AR) to replace the Quantum LTO-5 drive we’ve been using for several years. We use LTFS to format the tapes for drag-and-drop archiving.
The drive is recognized in Windows BUT the LTFSConfigurator gives a “No suitable tape drives found! Attach a supported LTO tape drive and then refresh the list…”
The drive is recognized in Windows Device Manager:
I’ve tried several versions of the LTFS software including the one Quantum provides (here) and recent versions of HP OpenStore (3.1.0 and 3.2.0). No version seems to recognize this tape drive.
The LTO-5 drive still works and is recognized by all versions LTFS software (can only connect 1 or the other to my SAS card).
In case it matters my SAS card is an LSi SAS 9212-4I4E
Any help/insights appreciated!
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7 Replies
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Resolved.
Quantum has 2 different versions of LTFS Configuration software on their site: Model B and Model C. Model C software is required for LTO-7 drives; I was trying to use Model B (from the LTO-5 installation).
The Model C software works much differently than the Model B software but it works and it’s backward compatible with my LTO-5 tapes.
Unfortunately the Model B software can’t be installed at the same time as the Model C version so I can’t operate my LTO-5 drive without uninstalling/reinstalling software.
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To add, both Model B and Model C are available from Quantum here:
https://www.quantum.com/serviceandsupport/softwareanddocumentationdownloads/ltfs/index.aspx?whattab=third -
You’ll need a card with an external SAS connector. Most of these cards are Controller cards. I’m using an LSI 9212-4i4e RAID Controller Card.
Depending on the generation of LTO you want to use, you’ll need to ensure your SAS card meets the spec. For LTO-7 you’ll need a 6Gb/s SAS connection.
I learned most of what I needed from a Cow article a few years ago:
https://library.creativecow.net/article.php?author_folder=kobler_helmut&article_folder=LTO6-Review&page=1Feel free to respond here or PM me if you have any more questions.
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In my opinion trying to use BRU and LTFS could become an issue since the tapes are formatted differently (BRU has a proprietary format).
I used LTFS because it doesn’t require a particular software to use it (LTFS is an open standard) and we already have a decent media management/archiving solution for our company.
You might look into PreRoll Post if you need archive management and want to use LTFS
https://www.imagineproducts.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=54 -
Regarding speed: LTO-7 is way faster than LTO-5 and I’m really glad I upgraded. I get about 245MB/s average on LTO-7. LTO-5 was slow to begin with (~145MB/s peak) and often slowed to halt during reads/writes.
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Benjamin,
Looks like you already resolved your issue. Just to elaborate a little further, the Quantum LTO5 was an HP made drive. B = HP, C = IBM with Quantum. Going forward only IBM is making LTO7’s, so the B will be phased out eventually I’m sure.
I also recommend PreRollPost to anyone trying to backup w/ LTFS. LTFS is non-proprietary so you can’t be held hostage by the software down the road.
If anyone finds that connecting by SAS is too much of an issue, we offer Thunderbolt connected drives at magstor.com
Tim Gerhard
Magnext
614-433-0011 x114
tgerhard@magnext.com
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