KB article ID: 5012 (permalink)
Before you can use a new iSeries/AS400 backup tape, you need to initialize it.
This is an administrative function, performed while logged into a 'green screen' session. Use one of the following methods.
Method A#
Goto Tech menu
Use #81. Go to operating system menu
Use #52. Initialize tape or diskette
At ‘name of drive’, enter TAP01 (…provided this is name of your tape drive. For 90% of you, this is the name of your tape drive.)
At ‘Tape density’, enter the appropriate size-of-tape code -- see the Tape Density chart below.
And Enter.
A message will tell you to insert tape. Do so, if you haven’t already, and Enter.
Method B#
At Cmd line, type INZTAP and press F4
Device = TAP01
New volume identifier = IBMIRD
New owner identifier = *BLANK
Volume identifier = *MOUNTED
Check for active files = *NO
Tape density =
Code = *EBCDIC
End of tape option = *REWIND
Clear = *NO
Press Enter.
A message will tell you to insert tape. Do so, if you haven’t already, and Enter.
NOTE: With regard to initializing larger tapes: On account of the hours required to initialize larger tapes (13GB or larger), we recommend you start initializing a tape in the early a.m., leave the tape in to run backup that evening, then repeat the next day with the next tape. Proceed in this manner till all your tapes are initialized.
120 MB = *QIC120
525 MB = *QIC525
1.2 GB = *QIC1000
2 GB = *CTGTYPE
2.5 GB = *CTGTYPE
4 GB = *QIC4GB
8 GB = *QIC4DC
13GB = *QIC5010
16GB = *QIC5010
25GB = *MLR3
30GB = *SLR60
50GB = *SLR100
800GB = *ULTRIUM4
1.5TB = *ULTRIUM5
2.5TB = *ULTRIUM6 (LTO6 tapes)