LTO media should always have a unique ID or number. With multiple media being used in data backup and archiving processes, it’s a good idea to define a number range in which new LTO tapes can be allocated consecutive numbers. They require a total of eight alphanumeric characters, the first six of which can be freely chosen. The last two characters, however, identify the LTO media standard, e.g. L1, L2 up to L8, L9. An examples of a standard number range is BD0001L8, BD0002L8, etc.
Media identifiers (i.e. the last two characters) are as follows:
L3 = Generation 3, L4 = Generation 4, L5 = Generation 5, L6 = Generation 6, L7 = Generation 7, L8 = Generation 8, L9 = Generation 9, LT = Generation 3 WORM, LU = Generation 4 WORM, LV = Generation 5 WORM, LW = Generation 6 WORM, LX = Generation 7 WORM, LY = Generation 8 WORM, LZ = Generation 9 WORM
Cleaning cartridges are a little different, but must also be easily identifiable and assigned in the LTO tape library. They usually have a code like “CLNxxxLx” (e.g. CLN001L9, CLN002L9, etc.).
Library system:
Manufacturer + Model, e.g. HPE MSL4048