IBM TS3200 3573-F4H LTO 4 Fibre Channel Tape Library

IBM TS3200 3573-F4H Tape Library Express Model – 4U 48-Slot LTO 4 Library with 4Gb Fibre Channel Tape Drive

The IBM TS3200 3573-F4H is an IBM System Storage TS3200 Tape Library Express Model originally configured with an IBM LTO Ultrium 4 full-height 4Gb Fibre Channel tape drive. The IBM TS3200 3573-F4H combines automated LTO cartridge handling, enterprise Fibre Channel connectivity, hardware tape encryption, remote management and up to 48 physical cartridge positions in a 4U rack-mounted tape library. Unlike the driveless IBM TS3200 3573-L4U, the 3573-F4H Express Model was sold as a preconfigured solution that included the LTO 4 Fibre Channel tape drive. IBM documentation identifies the installed LTO 4 FC drive as Feature Code 8144 / IBM part number 95P5004.

The LTO 4 drive provides 800GB native capacity per cartridge, approximately 1.6TB at the LTO 4 2:1 compression assumption, and native sustained data transfer performance up to approximately 120 MB/s per drive.

The IBM TS3200 is designed for automated backup, archive, disaster recovery, off-site media rotation and long-term data retention in supported IBM Power Systems, IBM i, AIX, Linux, Windows and enterprise backup environments.

IBM TS3200 3573-F4H Technical Specifications

IBM 3573-F4H Express Model Configuration

The F4H designation identifies a specific TS3200 Express configuration rather than merely the empty 4U library chassis.

The F4H therefore provides a useful exact machine-model identifier for organizations replacing an existing Fibre Channel TS3200 or maintaining compatibility with an older LTO 4 backup environment.

IBM TS3200 3573-F4H LTO 4 Performance

The LTO 4 full-height tape drive included with the F4H provides a native sustained transfer rate of approximately 120 MB/s.

The theoretical native data transfer per hour is:

120 MB/s × 3,600 seconds
= 432,000 MB/hour
≈ 432GB/hour per drive

At the original LTO 4 2:1 compression assumption:

240 MB/s × 3,600 seconds
= 864,000 MB/hour
≈ 864GB/hour per drive

A qualifying two-drive TS3200 configuration could theoretically increase aggregate throughput when backup software can feed both drives concurrently.

IBM TS3200 F4H Maximum Tape Capacity

Each LTO 4 cartridge provides:

• 800GB native capacity
• Approximately 1.6TB compressed at 2:1 compression

The TS3200 contains 48 physical cartridge positions. Multiplying all physical positions by LTO 4 cartridge capacity gives a theoretical maximum media capacity of:

IBM's original TS3200 Express documentation specifically advertised up to 38.4TB native / 76.8TB compressed capacity for the LTO 4 library generation.

IBM TS3200 LTO 4 Fibre Channel Drive

The defining hardware component of the 3573-F4H is the IBM LTO Ultrium 4 4Gb Fibre Channel tape drive.

IBM TS3200 3573-F4H Fibre Channel Connectivity

The 3573-F4H was designed for environments requiring Fibre Channel tape connectivity rather than direct SAS or parallel SCSI attachment.

Fibre Channel can provide advantages where:

• The organization already maintains a Fibre Channel SAN
• Backup servers require shared access to tape resources
• The library is located away from the host server
• Multiple servers need SAN-based tape connectivity
• Redundant host paths are required
• IBM Power Systems use Fibre Channel storage infrastructure

The original LTO 4 F4H drive uses a 4Gb Fibre Channel interface.

IBM LTO 4 Media Compatibility

The LTO 4 drive in the IBM TS3200 F4H provides backward media compatibility with earlier Ultrium cartridges.

This compatibility is an important reason organizations may still maintain an F4H today. A later LTO drive may no longer read the LTO 2 or LTO 3 cartridges required by an older archive.

IBM TS3200 Hardware Encryption

LTO 4 introduced drive-based AES hardware encryption into the Ultrium family. The TS3200 supports encrypted LTO 4 backup when used with appropriate encryption management.

IBM offered Transparent LTO Encryption Feature Code 5900 for qualifying TS3200 configurations.

IBM TS3200 WORM Media

The LTO 4 technology used by the 3573-F4H supports Write Once, Read Many (WORM) cartridges.

WORM media can be useful for:

• Compliance archives
• Financial records
• Audit data
• Legal records
• Long-term business records
• Retention workloads requiring write-once media

IBM TS3200 Path Failover

IBM offered Path Failover Feature Code 1682 for the TS3200. Path failover requires a qualifying multiple-drive and host configuration.

In a properly configured Fibre Channel environment, path failover can help maintain access when a supported data or control path becomes unavailable.

IBM TS3200 Rack Mount Kit

The TS3200 occupies 4U of standard 19-inch rack space.

IBM TS3200 Magazine Part Numbers

The TS3200 uses removable cartridge magazines that allow multiple LTO cartridges to be inserted or removed efficiently.

IBM TS3200 Optional Power Supply

IBM also offered a second power supply for improved library availability.

IBM TS3200 F4H Part and Feature Quick Reference

IBM TS3200 Remote Management

The TS3200 includes remote management capability through a web-based management interface. Administrators can monitor library status and perform configuration tasks without being physically present at the tape library.

Management functions include:

• Library inventory
• Tape-drive status
• Cartridge status
• Library diagnostics
• Firmware management
• Network configuration
• Error and event review
• Logical-library configuration
• Drive cleaning status

IBM TS3200 Barcode Reader

A barcode reader is standard with the TS3200 Express Model. Barcode labels allow the library to identify and inventory cartridges automatically.

This simplifies:

• Media inventory
• Backup software integration
• BRMS media management
• Off-site cartridge tracking
• Automated cartridge selection

IBM TS3200 I/O Station

The TS3200 contains an I/O station that allows administrators to import or export cartridges without opening the complete magazine area.

The TS3200 provides a three-cartridge I/O station in qualifying configurations.

This is particularly useful for daily backup rotation because completed backup tapes can be exported for off-site storage while new cartridges are imported into the library.

IBM TS3200 Logical Libraries

The TS3200 supports IBM Multi-Path Architecture and can be divided into logical libraries when multiple compatible drives are installed.

Logical partitioning can allow different servers or backup applications to share one physical TS3200 while maintaining separate logical tape resources.

For example:

• IBM i can use one logical library
• AIX can use another logical library
• A backup server can use a separate drive and media set

IBM TS3200 F4H for IBM Power Systems

The Fibre Channel architecture of the 3573-F4H makes it especially relevant to IBM Power Systems environments using SAN connectivity.

Supported environments historically included:

• IBM i / i5/OS / OS/400
• AIX
• Linux
• IBM System i
• IBM System p
• Windows servers
• Other supported open-system platforms

IBM TS3200 F4H for IBM i

The 3573-F4H can provide automated Fibre Channel tape backup for supported IBM Power Systems running IBM i.

Typical IBM i applications include:

• SAVSYS
• GO SAVE
• SAVLIB
• SAVOBJ
• BRMS-managed backup
• Multi-volume system saves
• Off-site media rotation
• Disaster-recovery copies
• Long-term archives

Automated cartridge handling can eliminate many manual media changes required by a standalone tape drive.

IBM TS3200 F4H and BRMS

In a supported IBM i configuration, IBM Backup, Recovery and Media Services for i (BRMS) can manage tape-library operations, media inventory and backup rotation.

BRMS can help automate:

• Backup scheduling
• Media selection
• Cartridge expiration
• Multi-volume backup
• Off-site movement
• Recovery planning
• Backup history

IBM TS3200 F4H vs. S4H

The F4H and S4H use the same general LTO 4 TS3200 generation but differ primarily in host interface.

IBM TS3200 F4H vs. L4U

Why Maintain an IBM 3573-F4H?

The F4H is no longer a current-generation tape library, but it can remain important where organizations need:

• Existing LTO 4 library compatibility
• Access to LTO 2, LTO 3 and LTO 4 archives
• Replacement for failed TS3200 hardware
• Fibre Channel tape connectivity
• IBM i legacy backup compatibility
• BRMS tape-library functionality
• Historical data recovery
• Migration of older LTO media to newer generations

For new backup deployments, newer LTO generations provide much greater capacity. However, newer tape drives may not read the older media that an LTO 4 drive can access.

IBM TS3200 3573-F4H Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IBM TS3200 3573-F4H?

The 3573-F4H is an IBM TS3200 Tape Library Express Model originally configured with an LTO Ultrium 4 full-height 4Gb Fibre Channel tape drive.

What tape drive was included with the F4H?

The original configuration includes an IBM LTO Ultrium 4 4Gb Fibre Channel tape drive.

What is the IBM feature code for the F4H tape drive?

The LTO 4 Fibre Channel tape-drive feature is Feature Code 8144.

What is IBM part number 95P5004?

95P5004 is the IBM LTO Ultrium 4 full-height 4Gb Fibre Channel tape-drive option associated with Feature Code 8144.

How many tapes does the TS3200 F4H hold?

The TS3200 contains up to 48 physical cartridge positions.

What is the maximum LTO 4 capacity?

Forty-eight LTO 4 cartridges provide a theoretical maximum of 38.4TB native or 76.8TB at 2:1 compression.

How fast is the LTO 4 drive?

Native sustained transfer performance is up to approximately 120 MB/s per drive.

Can the F4H read LTO 3 tapes?

Yes. LTO 4 drives can read and write LTO 3 cartridges.

Can the F4H read LTO 2 tapes?

Yes. LTO 4 drives can read LTO 2 cartridges but cannot write to them.

Does the F4H support hardware encryption?

Yes. LTO 4 provides hardware encryption, and IBM offered Transparent LTO Encryption Feature Code 5900.

Does the F4H support WORM media?

Yes. LTO 4 WORM cartridges are supported.

What is IBM Feature Code 1682?

Feature Code 1682, IBM part 45E9503, provides TS3200 Path Failover in qualifying configurations.

What is IBM Feature Code 7002?

Feature Code 7002, part number 23R6998, identifies the TS3200 rack-mount feature.

Can the IBM TS3200 F4H be used with IBM i?

Yes, in supported IBM Power Systems configurations using compatible Fibre Channel adapters, IBM i releases, device support and backup software.

Is F4H the same as L4U?

No. The L4U is the general/base TS3200 4U library model, while the F4H identifies an Express configuration containing an LTO 4 full-height Fibre Channel tape drive.

Is the F4H a Fibre Channel model?

Yes. The “F” configuration identifies the Fibre Channel LTO 4 Express model.

IBM TS3200 3573-F4H Summary

The IBM TS3200 3573-F4H is a 4U TS3200 Tape Library Express Model originally configured with an IBM LTO Ultrium 4 full-height 4Gb Fibre Channel tape drive, Feature Code 8144 / part number 95P5004.

The library contains up to 48 physical cartridge positions and the original generation supports up to two full-height tape drives. Each LTO 4 cartridge provides 800GB native capacity, while the drive can sustain up to approximately 120 MB/s native transfer performance.

The F4H supports LTO hardware encryption, WORM media, barcode inventory, remote management, automated cartridge handling and optional Path Failover. LTO 4 media compatibility includes read/write access to LTO 3 cartridges and read access to LTO 2 media.

For organizations maintaining older IBM Power Systems or IBM i environments, the 3573-F4H remains particularly useful where Fibre Channel connectivity and access to historical LTO 2, LTO 3 or LTO 4 media are required.

When purchasing a replacement F4H library or tape drive, verify the complete 3573-F4H machine type/model, 8144 feature code, 95P5004 tape-drive part number, library firmware and host compatibility.