IBM Magstar MP 3570
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Data storage |
| Predecessor | Magstar MP |
| Founded | September 1996 |
| Products | Tape drives, magnetic tape data storage media |
The IBM 3570 series encompasses a range of tape drives and associated magnetic tape data storage media formats created by IBM. Initially released under the name Magstar MP—which merges IBM's Magstar branding with MP denoting MultiPurpose—the IBM 3570 label refers to both the tape drives and the libraries utilizing Magstar MP cartridges.
Targeted primarily at mid-tier computer systems, the IBM 3570 was engineered for automated tape libraries featuring swift robotic tape handling and a near-instantaneous head-to-tape engagement occurring at the midpoint of the tape after loading. Although designed to facilitate rapid data retrieval, the product faced limited adoption due to competition from slower tape technologies that provided greater storage capacity.
Technology
Debuting in September 1996, IBM's Magstar MP introduced compact dual-reel 8mm tape cartridges with several key business benefits:
- Accelerated data access enabled by fast load and unload cycles combined with a unique mid-tape loading point
- Exceptional durability of media and cartridges under intensive read/write operations
- Seamless compatibility with automated tape library systems for streamlined management
- Performance tailored specifically for mid-range computing platforms
An upgrade released in 1998 enhanced both capacity and speed, utilizing metal particle tape technology paired with magneto-resistive read heads and integrated LZ1 compression. The hallmark feature of this format was its mid-tape load-point design, which positioned the logical start-of-tape at the physical center of the medium, allowing data tracks to extend bidirectionally from that midpoint.
This configuration minimized average seek times by restricting maximum seek distance to half the tape length, in contrast to conventional linear formats requiring traversal of the entire tape. Alongside StorageTek's 9840 drives, the IBM 3570 remains one of the rare contemporary tape systems employing this mid-tape loading principle.
Media
The initial B-type tapes offered an uncompressed storage capacity of 5 GB. Subsequent C-type tapes maintained this storage volume but delivered enhanced performance speeds. The later C-XL media variant increased uncompressed capacity to 7 GB. IBM promoted an anticipated average data compression ratio of approximately 3:1.
Drives and Libraries
The IBM 3570 lineup included three main categories of tape systems:
- Standalone drives such as the IBM 3570-B00 model
- Auto-loaders designed for tabletop or rack installation containing one or two drives, functioning effectively as small-scale libraries (e.g., IBM 3570-B12)
- Independent tape libraries capable of housing multiple drives and extensive cartridge inventories, exemplified by the IBM 3575
Original B-type drives supported a native data transfer rate of 5 MB per second uncompressed, with real-time compression enhancing throughput based on data compressibility. C-type drives improved this baseline to a native rate of 7 MB per second.
The IBM 3575 libraries allowed partitioning into several logical libraries accessible by multiple hosts simultaneously. Cartridges were arranged in vertical columns; however, alternating cartridge orientation between columns occasionally introduced complexity during manual cartridge insertion.
Interfaces
Device drivers were available for prominent mid-range operating systems including MS Windows, Unix variants, and IBM AS/400, alongside support from leading backup management software solutions prevalent at the time.