Preface

Oracle's StorageTek Enterprise Library Software (ELS) is a solution consisting of the following base software:

  • StorageTek Storage Management Component (SMC)

  • StorageTek Host Software Component (HSC)

  • StorageTek Virtual Tape Control Software (VTCS)

  • StorageTek Concurrent Disaster Recovery Test (CDRT)

Additionally, the following software is provided with the ELS package:

  • StorageTek Library Content Manager (LCM) (formerly ExLM). LCM includes an enhanced version of the product formerly known as Offsite Vault Feature.

  • StorageTek Client System Component for MVS Environments (MVS/CSC)

  • StorageTek LibraryStation

Audience

This guide is for Oracle or customer personnel who are responsible for managing ELS.

Prerequisites

To perform the tasks described in this guide, you should already understand the following:

  • The MVS operating environment

  • JES2 or JES3

  • Enterprise Library Software (ELS)

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About This Book

This book is designed for anybody whose job is to keep HSC and VTCS up and running. HSC/VTCS is basically a server, and like all servers, if you install and configure it correctly, construct effective policies, and provide a reasonable amount of careful management, it takes care of itself. HSC and VTCS share some common tasks, such as maintaining the CDS, and have some parallel but separate tasks, such as working with real volumes versus working with VTVs and MVCs. For information about managing the allocation member of the trio, see Managing SMC.

What kind of ”conscientious management” is required? What does it take to ”manage HSC and VTCS?” The following list describes the sections of this book and the corresponding management tasks:

  • "The Toolkit(s)" describes, in table format, the tools you use to manage HSC and VTCS. This section describes the specific tasks and functions for these tools. For the details, you want to have within easy reach ELS Command, Control Statement, and Utility Reference.

  • "Managing the CDS" tells how to safeguard the CD and how to recover it if you lose one or more copies of the CDS.

  • "Managing a TapePlex" describes the periodic and as-needed tasks required to manage a TapePlex.

  • "Using the VTCS Dashboard" talks about the tasks you need to do on an ongoing basis. In addition to monitoring the health of your VTCS system, there are several key items you want to put in place, such as a Demand MVC Space Reclamation batch job.

  • "Working the VTCS Must Do (Sometime) Chores List" consists of items you do for VTCS as they need to be done.

    There is some overlap between periodic and as-needed management, just as there is some overlap between these two categories and resolving problems. Most likely, if you are scrupulous about your management tasks, you will not have to resolve many problems, and vice versa. ”Periodic” and ”As-Needed” are two general categories, and you have to adjust according to the needs of your shop.

  • "Leading Edge Solutions with Management and Storage Classes" is about Management and Storage Classes, which are the basics of anything leading edge in VTCS land.

  • "Finding and Fixing VTCS Problems" is about what to do when problems occur.

  • "LCM Control Statements" is a handy cross-reference of things you can do with HSC that you can also do with LCM.