LTFS implements a true file system for tape. LTFS also supports library automation, including the ability to find data on a tape in a library without mounting and searching tape volumes. 

IBM Spectrum Archive supports IBM tape automation in addition to the single drive edition. 

By using IBM Spectrum Archive Library Edition, you can create a single file system mount point for a logical library that is managed by a single instance of the software, which runs on a single server. In addition, it provides for caching of tape indexes and for searching, querying, and displaying tapes’ contents within an IBM tape library without the requirement to mount tape cartridges. 

For more information about IBM Spectrum Archive and LTFS, see 2.10, “IBM Spectrum Archive” on page 165. 

## 2.8 IBM LTO Ultrium 6 tape drive (Model 3588 F6C) 

The IBM LTO-6 tape drive was released in 2012. At the time, IBM LTO-6 tape drive offerings represented significant improvements in capacity and performance over the previous generation, LTO-5, while they protected the client’s investment in the previous technology. 

The 3588 F6C tape drive is a high-performance, high-capacity tape drive. The drive records data by using a linear serpentine recording format on half-inch tape that is housed within a cartridge. The data tracks are located by using preformatted servo tracks. 

The 3588 F6C tape drive provides the following improvements over the older LTO models: 

GLYPH<SM590000> The 3588 F6C tape drive increases the native transfer speed to 160 MBps compared with 140 MBps for the LTO-5 tape drive. 

GLYPH<SM590000> The 3588 F6C tape drive increases the compressed speed to 400 MBps compared with 280 MBps for the LTO-5 tape drive. 

GLYPH<SM590000> The 3588 F6C tape drive more than doubles the potential capacity of a cartridge in LTO-5 format. 

## 3588 F6C tape drive features at a glance 

The LTO-6 (3588 F6C) tape drive has the following characteristics: 

GLYPH<SM590000> Native data transfer rate of up to 160 MBps 

GLYPH<SM590000> Compressed data transfer rate of up to 400 MBps 

GLYPH<SM590000> LTO-6 data and WORM tape cartridge native physical capacity of up to 2.5 TB 

GLYPH<SM590000> Dual-ported 8 Gbps Fibre Channel attachment option 

GLYPH<SM590000> 1,024 MB internal data buffer for full-high drives 

GLYPH<SM590000> Application-managed encryption (AME) and Library-managed encryption (LME) support 

GLYPH<SM590000> Sixteen KB cartridge memory with LTO-6 media 

GLYPH<SM590000> IBM Spectrum Archive Single Drive Edition, Library Edition, and Enterprise Edition support 

GLYPH<SM590000> IBM Linear Tape File System (LTFS) partitioning support 

The LTO Ultrium 6 supports integration in the IBM TS4500 library by using a compact drive sled. 

