Vendor-Specific Library Operational Procedures

Certain operations for some automated libraries may differ from those described in this section. To determine whether your automated library has additional vendor-specific operating instructions in a SAM-QFS environment, see Chapter 8, Managing Vendor-Specific Libraries.

How to Start Removable Media Operations

Typically, removable media operations commence when a file system is mounted.

• Start removable media operations manually without mounting any file systems.

  # samd start

  If removable media operations are already running when you run the samd start command, you will see the following message:

  SAM-FS sam-amld daemon already running

How to Stop Removable Media Operations

You can stop removable media operations and leave the file system mounted. You might do this, for example, if you want to manipulate cartridges manually.

1. Issue the idle command to enable the archiver, stager, and other processes to complete current tasks.

   You can also idle drives by using the samu operator utility or by using SAM-QFS Manager

   # samcmd aridle 
   # samcmd stidle

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   Note - Failing to follow these procedures could result in tape media issues.

   Issue the samd unload command for each idle tape drive. If you attempt to restart an idle drive without unloading it, you might experience unpredictable events when archiving, staging, and other activities are resumed.

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2. Monitor the tape drive activity with the samcmd r command.
   1. Wait until all the tape drives have stopped.
   2. Unload the tape drives.

      # samcmd unload eq

      eq specifies the equipment number of the drive being unloaded as defined in the mcf file.

      To unload multiple drives, issue a samcmd unload for each drive.

   3. When the drive is empty, stop removable media operations by running the samd stop command.

   When you restart operations, pending stages are reissued and archiving is resumed.

How to Turn On an Automated Library

A library in the on state is under the control of the SAM-QFS system and can proceed with general operations. When you turn on a library, the SAM-QFS software performs the following actions:

• Queries the device about its state, for example where tapes are, whether barcodes are used, and so on.

• Updates the catalog and other internal structures.

• Start an automated library.

  # samcmd on eq

  eq specifies the equipment number of the automated library as defined in the mcf file.

  You can also perform this task by using samu or SAM-QFS Manager.

How to Turn Off an Automated Library

Placing a library in the off state stops I/O operations and removes the automated library from SAM-QFS control. No automatic movement of cartridges occurs, and the drives in the automated library remain in the on state. You turn off an automated library to perform the following tasks:

• Stop SAM-QFS operations for this automated library only.

• Power down the automated library.

• Turn off an automated library.

  # samcmd off eq

  eq specifies the equipment number of the automated library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.

  You can also perform this task by using samu or SAM-QFS Manager.

How to Load a Cartridge Manually

When a cartridge is loaded, it moves from a storage slot to a drive and it is made ready to receive data. A cartridge is loaded automatically when a volume serial name (VSN) is requested for archiving or staging. You can load a cartridge at any time by issuing one of the following commands. You might do this, for example, during a disaster recovery operation or to analyze a tape.

1. # samcmd load eq:slot[:partition]
2. # samcmd load media-type.vsn
   

   Argument Definition eq Specifies the equipment number of the drive as defined in the mcf file. slot Specifies the number of a storage slot as recognized in the library catalog. media-type Specifies the media type. For a list of valid media types, see mcf(4) in Sun QFS and Sun Storage Archive Manager Reference Manual . partition Specifies a side of a magneto-optical disc. The partition must be 1 or 2. This argument is not applicable to tape cartridges. vsn Specifies the volume serial name assigned to the volume.

   You can also perform this task by using samu or SAM-QFS Manager.

   When you load a cartridge manually, it is loaded in the next available drive in the library. If you want to make a drive unavailable for this purpose, use the samu utility's :unavail command or change the state of the device using SAM-QFS Manager.

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   Note - SAM-QFS does not support mixed media in direct attached libraries. If the library is partitioned, each partition must contain only one media type.

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How to Unload a Cartridge Manually

When a cartridge is unloaded, it is removed from a drive. Unloading occurs automatically when a volume is no longer needed. Unload a drive at any time, even if the drive is in unavail status.

• # samcmd unload eq

  eq specifies the equipment number of the drive as defined in the mcf file.

  You can also perform this task by using samu or SAM-QFS Manager.