3590

3590 is the machine type of a tape backup system based on the 1/2-inch cartridge, which is also used on the IBM mainframe.

Tape Drive

There are several models of 3590s: standalone single drive, rackmounted with autoloader, etc.
The alpha character following the dash indicates what kind of read/write drive is used.

• 3590-B drive (oldest)
• 3590-E drive
• 3590-H drive (newest)

Media

There are two kinds of 3590 media, distinguishable by the color of the plastic insert on the cartridge and the single letter designation.

3590-J media

blue tab

1050 feet

3590-J tapes can be referred to as just "3590" tapes, as they were the original length

3590-K media

green tab

2070 feet

3590-K tapes can be referred to as "3590E" tapes, as they are the "extended" length. This has nothing to do with the 3590-E drive model.

Capacity

The capacity of a given 3590 cartridge depends on the drive, the media, and compression.
It varies from 10GB to 120GB per cartridge.

Drive	3590-J media	3590-K media
3590-B	10GB (20GB)	20GB (40GB)
3590-E	20GB (40GB)	40GB (80GB)
3590-K	30GB (60GB)	60GB (120GB)

Note: (##GB) denotes capacity with compression.

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