Format tape cartridges

Use iSeries™ navigator to format at tape cartridge. When you format a tape cartridge, a standard volume label is recorded at the beginning of the magnetic tape medium.

When you format a tape, any information previously recorded on the tape medium is erased and written over with new information. Information is also written over when new data files are appended to the newly recorded volume label.

Note: Do not reuse an old tape volume if permanent read or write errors have been detected more than two times. Also do not reuse an old tape volume if temporary read or write errors for that volume are excessive. To determine if temporary errors are excessive, see Ensure tapes are in good condition.

To format a tape cartridge, perform the following steps:

Parent topic: Use tape cartridges
Related tasks
Duplicate tape cartridges
Ensure tapes are in good condition

Tape libraries

To format a tape, the cartridge must have a status of Available or Mounted. Then it is possible to do the following:

  1. In iSeries Navigator, expand your server > Configuration and Service > Hardware > Tape Devices > Tape Libraries > your tape library.
  2. Select Cartridges.
  3. Right-click the cartridge that you want to format and select Format. You can select multiple cartridges to format.

Stand-alone tape devices

To format a tape, the stand-alone device must have a status of Available. Then it is possible to do the following:
  1. In iSeries Navigator, expand your server > Configuration and Service > Hardware > Tape Devices > Stand-Alone Devices.
  2. Right-click your tape device and select Format.

Commonly used options for formatting a tape cartridge

The most commonly used options for formatting a tape cartridge are:

  • New volume label
  • Check for active files
  • Tape density

The online help in iSeries Navigator has more detailed information about these options.