Duplicate tape cartridges

You can duplicate tapes by using a tape library or a stand-alone device.

Follow the instructions that describe the device you are using.
Parent topic: Use tape cartridges
Related tasks
Format tape cartridges

Prerequisites for duplicating a tape cartridge

For stand-alone devices, you must have two tape devices and do the following steps before you can duplicate a tape:
  1. Make sure the tape devices are available (varied on).
  2. Load the tape to be copied into one tape device.
  3. Load the tape receiving the information in the other tape device.

For tape library devices you must have a library device with two or more tape resources or two devices, then do the following:

  1. Make sure the tape library devices are available.
  2. Make sure that the cartridges you want to duplicate are available for use by the tape library device.

If the tape that receives the information is new, you must format it before continuing.

For a tape library

To duplicate a cartridge, 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.
  2. Expand the tape library that contains the tapes you want to duplicate.
  3. Select Cartridges.
  4. Right-click the tape that you want to duplicate and select Duplicate. You can select multiple cartridges to duplicate.

For a stand-alone tape device

To duplicate 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 the tape device that contains the cartridge you want to duplicate and select Duplicate.