Installing the IBM tape driver for Windows

How to install the IBM® tape driver for IBM Spectrum Archive™ on a Windows system.

Before you install the tape device driver, ensure that the following tasks are completed:
  • The host bus adapter (HBA) and its device driver were installed automatically.
  • The tape drive and HBA are connected.
  • The tape drive is powered on.
  • The tape drives in the library are powered on.
  • The server is powered on.
Use one of the following procedures, Find product or Select product, to access the IBM Fix Central portal and download the most recent version of the tape device driver. Then, see Installing the IBM tape device driver for instructions on how to access the IBM Tape Device Drivers Installation and User's Guide.
Note: For the most recent tape drive for Windows, see Required software. IBM maintains the most current levels of product software and documentation on the IBM Fix Central website. IBM Fix Central is the preferred location for IBM tape device driver downloads and replaces any FTP sites that are used for the same purpose.

Find product

Open the following IBM Fix Central URL in your web browser: https://www.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/.
  1. Click the Find product option.
  2. In the Product selector field, type in Tape device drivers.
  3. From the Platform menu, select your operating system.
  4. Click Continue to go to the Select fixes page, view the list of available downloads.
  5. Select a download from the options presented, and click Continue.
  6. Follow the instructions on the IBM Fix Central download page to download the new version.

Select product

Open the following IBM Fix Central URL in your web browser: https://www-945.ibm.com/support/fixcentral/.
  1. Click the Select product option.
  2. From the Product Group menu, select System Storage.
  3. From the Select from System Storage menu, select Tape systems.
  4. From the Select from Tape systems menu, select Tape drivers and software.
  5. From the Select from Tape drivers and software menu, select Tape device drivers.
  6. From the Platform menu, select your operating system.
  7. Click Continue to go to the Select fixes page. View the list of available downloads.
  8. Select a download from the options presented, and click Continue.
  9. Follow the instructions on the IBM Fix Central download page to download the new version.

Installing the IBM tape device driver

Installation and usage information about IBM tape device drivers is available in the PDF document IBM Tape Device Drivers Installation and User's Guide. Click the following link to access the PDF in a new browser window: http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?rs=577&uid=ssg1S7002972.
Note: The IBM tape device driver has two installers: exclusive and nonexclusive. Use the exclusive installer with IBM Spectrum Archive LE.