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Definition: Magstar
An earlier high-performance half-inch magnetic tape technology from IBM. Designated 3590 and enhancing the 3480 line, Magstar provided ESCON and SCSI connectivity to IBM mainframes and midrange systems. Tape libraries were available that held from a handful to thousands of cartridges.
The 3480
In 1984, the 3480 was a breakthrough tape technology, providing more storage in a cartridge than in reels, the common tape housing at that time. In addition, the drives took up half the floor space. In 1995, the new 3590 line was branded Magstar. See Magstar MP, half-inch tape and magnetic tape.
Magstar Cartridges
L490E Tape Library
The 3480
In 1984, the 3480 was a breakthrough tape technology, providing more storage in a cartridge than in reels, the common tape housing at that time. In addition, the drives took up half the floor space. In 1995, the new 3590 line was branded Magstar. See Magstar MP, half-inch tape and magnetic tape.
# of Tape Raw
Type Year Tracks Length Capacity
3590 Magstar
3590H 2002 284 320 m 30GB
3590E 1998 256 300 m 20GB
3590B 1995 128 300 m 10GB
34xx
3490E 1991 36 300 m 800MB
3490 1989 18 160 m 400MB
3480 1984 18 160 m 200MB
Magstar used a half-inch, single-hub cartridge, while Magstar MP used an 8mm cassette-style cartridge that started mid-tape for faster retrieval. Both used linear recording. See Magstar MP.
This earlier tape library from Overland Data supported 3490 cartridges. Overland Data's tape drives were the first to support multiple cartridge formats. (Image courtesy of Overland Data Inc.)