IBM 3580-E4S TS2240 LTO 4 Tape Drive | Parts & Specs

IBM TS2240 3580-E4S LTO 4 SAS Tape Drive

IBM 3580-E4S TS2240 External LTO Ultrium 4 SAS Tape Drive – 800GB Native, 1.6TB Compressed, Up to 120 MB/s

The IBM TS2240 3580-E4S is an external LTO Ultrium 4 tape drive designed for enterprise backup, archive, disaster recovery and long-term removable data storage. The 3580-E4S belongs to IBM's TS2240 generation of standalone LTO tape drives and uses a half-height LTO 4 SAS tape mechanism.

Each LTO 4 cartridge provides up to 800GB of native capacity or approximately 1.6TB with 2:1 compression. Native sustained transfer performance reaches approximately 120 MB/s, making the E4S suitable for server backup, IBM Power Systems, IBM i, AIX, Linux and other supported environments.

The LTO 4 generation also introduced important enterprise features including hardware-based tape encryption and WORM media support. Backward media compatibility allows the drive to read and write LTO 3 cartridges and read older LTO 2 media.

IBM 3580-E4S Technical Specifications

IBM TS2240 comparted to new IBM 3580 Tape Drive Models

IBM TS2240 3580-E4S Performance

The LTO 4 half-height tape drive used in the 3580-E4S provides native sustained transfer performance of up to approximately 120 MB/s. At this rate, the theoretical maximum amount of uncompressed data that can be transferred in one hour is approximately: 120 MB/s × 3,600 seconds = 432,000 MB/hour ≈ 432GB/hour

Assuming data compresses at the LTO 4 planning ratio of 2:1, the theoretical compressed throughput is approximately: 240 MB/s × 3,600 seconds = 864,000 MB/hour ≈ 864GB/hour

Actual backup and restore performance depends on the source storage, server performance, SAS adapter, operating system, backup software, file sizes and whether the host can provide data quickly enough to keep the tape mechanism streaming continuously.

IBM LTO 4 Cartridge Capacity

The primary media used by the IBM 3580-E4S is the LTO Ultrium 4 data cartridge.

Compressed capacities are theoretical and depend on the type of data being written. Already compressed or encrypted data may achieve little additional reduction.

IBM 3580-E4S Media Compatibility

Media compatibility is one of the most important reasons to maintain an LTO 4 drive in an existing environment. The 3580-E4S can:

• Read and write LTO 4 cartridges
• Read and write LTO 3 cartridges
• Read LTO 2 cartridges
• Not read or write LTO 1 cartridges

This makes the E4S useful for organizations that must retain access to historical LTO 2, LTO 3 and LTO 4 backup media.

Hardware Tape Encryption

LTO 4 introduced native hardware encryption into the Ultrium technology family. The IBM TS2240 generation can encrypt data within the tape drive as it is written to compatible LTO 4 media. Hardware encryption can protect removable backup cartridges during:

• Off-site media rotation
• Long-term storage
• Disaster-recovery transportation
• Secure archive retention
• Third-party vault storage

The exact encryption-management method depends on the host operating system, backup software and IBM tape configuration.

WORM Media Support

The 3580-E4S supports LTO 4 Write Once, Read Many (WORM) tape cartridges. WORM media is designed to prevent recorded data from being altered or overwritten. Typical uses include:

• Financial records
• Regulatory archives
• Audit information
• Legal records
• Long-term business records
• Immutable archive copies

SAS Host Connectivity

The IBM TS2240 3580-E4S uses a Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) host interface. SAS provides a serial point-to-point storage connection and replaced the parallel SCSI interfaces used by many earlier standalone IBM tape drives. The exact host adapter and cable required depend on the server and SAS connector type. Compatibility should be verified before moving an E4S between IBM Power Systems or attaching it to another server platform.

IBM TS2240 Model Comparison

IBM offered several closely related TS2240 models. The physical LTO 4 technology is similar, but ordering channel, enclosure and configuration details differ.

IBM LTO 4 Drive Part Number Cross-Reference

IBM used several numbers for LTO 4 hardware depending on whether the item represented the complete external unit, an internal drive mechanism, an IBM Power feature or a service replacement FRU.

IBM Feature Code 5746

IBM Power Systems documentation identifies Feature Code 5746 as an 800GB / 1.6TB Ultrium 4 SAS tape drive. Feature 5746 identifies an IBM Power Systems tape-drive configuration rather than the complete external 3580-E4S enclosure, but it provides a useful cross-reference for the underlying LTO 4 SAS technology.

IBM 3580-E4S for IBM Power Systems

The TS2240 generation can provide removable backup storage for supported IBM Power Systems running IBM i, AIX and Linux. Common uses include:

• IBM i system saves
• SAVSYS backups
• GO SAVE procedures
• BRMS-managed backup
• AIX system backup
• Linux backup
• Application and database saves
• Off-site media rotation
• Disaster-recovery copies

Support depends on the exact Power System model, SAS adapter, operating-system release, drive firmware and backup software.

IBM 3580-E4S for IBM i

For IBM i environments, the E4S can be useful where an existing system needs a standalone SAS LTO 4 tape drive for backup or where historical LTO cartridges must remain accessible.

Important compatibility considerations include:

• IBM Power System model
• IBM i release
• SAS tape adapter
• System firmware
• BRMS level
• Tape-drive microcode

Older IBM i environments with LTO 2, LTO 3 or LTO 4 media may have a particular need for an LTO 4 drive because later LTO generations eventually lose backward compatibility with these cartridges.

IBM 3580-E4S Backup and Archive Uses

• IBM i backup
• AIX backup
• Linux backup
• Windows server backup
• Database backup
• Application backup
• BRMS tape rotation
• Off-site backup storage
• Disaster recovery
• Historical LTO cartridge recovery
• WORM archival storage
• Long-term data retention

Why Maintain an LTO 4 Drive?

The E4S is no longer a current-generation high-capacity tape solution. Its value today is primarily in replacement, compatibility and archive-recovery applications.

An LTO 4 drive can be important because it can:

• Read and write LTO 4 tapes
• Read and write LTO 3 tapes
• Read LTO 2 tapes
• Replace failed TS2240-generation hardware
• Maintain compatibility with older IBM Power Systems
• Recover historical backup cartridges before migration

For a new backup environment without legacy-media requirements, a later-generation LTO drive generally provides much greater cartridge capacity. However, newer is not always better when historical cartridges must remain readable.

IBM TS2240 vs. Later IBM 3580 Tape Drives

IBM 3580-E4S Frequently Asked Questions

What is the IBM 3580-E4S?

The IBM 3580-E4S is an IBM TS2240-generation standalone LTO Ultrium 4 SAS tape drive.

Is the 3580-E4S an IBM TS2240?

Yes. IBM support documentation explicitly identifies 3580-E4S as an IBM System Storage TS2240 tape drive.

What capacity does the 3580-E4S provide?

An LTO 4 cartridge provides 800GB native capacity and approximately 1.6TB compressed using a 2:1 compression assumption.

How fast is the IBM 3580-E4S?

The LTO 4 drive provides native sustained transfer performance of up to approximately 120 MB/s.

What interface does the 3580-E4S use?

The E4S is a SAS-based TS2240 configuration.

Can the 3580-E4S read LTO 3 tapes?

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

Can the 3580-E4S read LTO 2 tapes?

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

Does the IBM 3580-E4S support encryption?

Yes. LTO 4 provides hardware-based tape encryption in supported configurations.

Does the IBM 3580-E4S support WORM tapes?

Yes. LTO 4 WORM cartridges are supported.

What is IBM part number 44E8895?

44E8895 is identified by IBM as a half-high LTO Generation 4 SAS tape drive.

What is IBM feature code 5746?

IBM Feature Code 5746 identifies an 800GB / 1.6TB LTO Ultrium 4 SAS tape-drive option used in supported IBM Power Systems.

Can the 3580-E4S be used with IBM i?

It can be used in supported IBM Power Systems configurations. Compatibility depends on the Power System model, IBM i release, SAS adapter and tape-drive firmware.

IBM TS2240 3580-E4S Summary

The IBM TS2240 3580-E4S is a standalone LTO 4 SAS tape drive providing 800GB native capacity, approximately 1.6TB compressed capacity and up to approximately 120 MB/s native transfer performance.

The drive supports hardware encryption, WORM media, read/write access to LTO 4 and LTO 3 cartridges, and read compatibility with LTO 2 media. These capabilities make the E4S especially valuable for maintaining existing backup environments and accessing historical Ultrium media.

For IBM Power Systems and IBM i customers, the 3580-E4S can also serve as replacement hardware for supported legacy SAS tape configurations. Before ordering a replacement, verify the existing machine type, installed FRU, SAS attachment and required tape-media compatibility.