Before data can be stored to tape a tape device must be added to the software. Assuming the device has been attached to the computer and necessary drivers loaded, select the Tape Storage folder and choose its Configure Tape Devices action to launch the Configure Tape Devices wizard. After completing the wizard the tape devices will appear in the Tape Storage folder as a <device name> sub-folder.


The tape device folder will contain one or more tape drives, and a Volumes folder that shows each volume (tape) and its status. Standalone tape drives will have the same name for the tape device folder and the tape drive sub-folder.


Barcodes are required for tapes in libraries and are optional but recommended for standalone drives in case a library is added at some point in the future. Tapes in libraries are automatically labeled by the software using the barcode label of the tape. Tapes in standalone drives should be labeled to match the barcode using the barcode format of 6 alpha-numeric characters plus the LTO generation of the tape, for example 123456L6 or DEV001L5. To label a tape click its Label and Assign action from the standalone device's Volumes folder. See Label and Assign for more information.


Actions for a tape device include:

  • Synchronize Library Inventory - This action launches a library inventory command to synchronize the software with the current state of the library. Because the media will be mounted and read, this action can take several minutes.
  • Device Properties - This action opens the Windows properties for the device.