10 Managing Cartridges

See Also:

Moving Cartridges (Recovery Moves)

Moving a cartridge using SLC only updates the cartridge's location in the library controller database. You must perform an audit from the host software to update the host database to prevent mount failures.

To view a table of all cartridges in the library, see "Viewing Cartridge Information".

Caution:

To avoid data loss, use caution when moving cartridges in partitioned libraries. Accidentally moving a cartridge from one partition to another will orphan the cartridge and the new partition may overwrite the existing data.
  1. In SLC, select Tools > Diagnostics. Select the Library in the device tree.

  2. Click the RcvrMove tab.

  3. Select the Source Location Mode:

    • For VOLID, enter the vol-id of the cartridge to move.

    • For Location, select the cartridge's current location (CAP, Slot, Drive, Reserved Slots).

  4. Select the Destination Location type (CAP, Storage Slots, Drive, and Reserved Slots) and select the destination address.

    Note:

    Only select Drive if the source is a CAP or reserved slot.

    Do not move data cartridges into reserved slots. Reserved slots should only contain diagnostic or cleaning cartridges.

  5. Click Start.

  6. Initiate a library audit from the host software to update the host database (see the tape management software documentation).

Locating Cartridges

You can search for a cartridge by volume ID, internal library address, or HLI address.

To view a table of all cartridges in the library, see "Viewing Cartridge Information".

Locating a Cartridge by Volume ID

  1. In SLC, select Tools > Diagnostics. Select the Library in the device tree.

  2. Click the Search tab.

  3. Select VOLID.

  4. Enter the volume ID (use * as a wildcard).

  5. From the Requester drop-down list, select the format for the search results:

    • default to display in library internal address format.

    • hli0 or hli1 to display in HLI-PRC address format.

  6. Select the Cartridge Type.

  7. Click Search.

Locating a Cartridge by Address

  1. In SLC, select Tools > Diagnostics. Select the Library in the device tree.

  2. Click the Search tab.

  3. Select Location.

  4. Select the search criteria from the drop-down list, and enter the address (wildcards are invalid).

  5. From the Requester drop-down list, select the type of address you entered in the Location field.

  6. Click Search.

  7. Click . . . to see details about the cartridge.

Viewing Cartridge Information

  1. In SLC, select Tools > Reports.

  2. Expand the Status Summary folder in the navigation tree.

  3. Select the Cartridge Table.

See Also

Importing or Exporting Diagnostic or Cleaning Cartridges

Caution:

The library will treat used cleaning cartridges as new. To avoid equipment damage, do not re-import used cleaning cartridges.

The library stores diagnostic and cleaning cartridges in reserved system slots. Host library applications cannot access these cartridges. The library can perform only one diagnostic or cleaning cartridge import or export operation at a time. The library controller reserves the CAP for the entire operation.

Before importing, verify all cartridges have a proper label. Diagnostic cartridges must have DG as the first two characters of the eight character volume ID. Cleaning cartridges must have CLN as the first three characters.

Importing Diagnostic or Cleaning Cartridges

Note:

As of SL8500 firmware FRS_7.00 and SLC 5.50, host applications (such as ACSLS or ELS) must manage drive cleaning. For host managed cleaning, do not use the following procedure. Instead, enter cleaning cartridges using the host software.
  1. Verify that the library has enough empty system slots. Robot recovery and library initialization requires one empty system slot on each side of the library.

  2. Verify that the CAP is empty, not reserved by a host, closed, and locked (see "Viewing Device Status and Properties").

  3. In SLC, select Tools > Diagnostics.

  4. Expand the CAP folder in the device tree. Select a CAP to use.

  5. Click the Import/Export tab.

  6. In the Operation section, select Import Cleaning/Diagnostic cartridges.

  7. In the "Select favored rail for import" list, select the preferred storage rail or No affinity.

    Note:

    The library enters diagnostic and cleaning cartridges into system slots on the selected rail if space is available. Otherwise, the library distributes cartridges among all system slots.
  8. Click Start.

  9. Load the cartridges into the CAP (see "Entering Cartridges Using a CAP").

Exporting Diagnostic or Cleaning Cartridges

  1. Verify that the library has enough empty system slots. Robot recovery and library initialization requires one empty system slot on each side of the library.

  2. Verify that the CAP is empty, not reserved by a host, closed, and locked (see "Viewing Device Status and Properties").

  3. In SLC, select Tools > Diagnostics.

  4. Expand the CAP folder in the device tree. Select a CAP to use.

  5. Click the Import/Export tab.

  6. Select the type of export operation.

  7. Click Start.

  8. When the unload notification appears, unload the CAP (see "Ejecting Cartridges Using a CAP").

Cartridge Types

Cartridge Labels

For information about media label standards, see the Barcode Technical Brief on OTN. All library cartridges must have a readable external label. The robot reports an error when it encounters an unreadable label.

Non-labeled cartridges are not supported. The library exports any non-labeled cartridges it finds through the CAP. A non-labeled or unknown type cartridge will not mount to a drive.

Handling Cartridges

Caution:

When cartridges are improperly handled, loss of data or damage to a library component can occur.
  • Keep cartridges clean and inspect them for damage before each use.

  • Never open a cartridge.

  • Do not handle tape that is outside the cartridge.

  • Do not expose the tape or cartridge to direct sunlight, moisture, or magnetic fields.

Inspecting a Cartridge

Always inspect a cartridge before you insert it into a tape drive or a library. A defective or dirty cartridge can damage a tape drive. Never use a damaged cartridge. Look for:

  • Dirt or debris

  • Cracked or broken housing

  • Damaged write-protect switch

  • Liquid in the cartridge

  • Labels not firmly attached, or that extend over the cartridge edge

Cleaning the Cartridge Exterior

Wipe all dust, dirt, and moisture from the cartridge with a lint-free cloth. Use Oracle StorageTek Tape Cleaner Wipes to clean the cartridges. These wipes are saturated with isopropyl alcohol. Do not let any solution touch the tape or get inside the cartridge.

Caution:

Potential damage to cartridges. Do not use acetone, trichloroethane, toluene, xylene, benzene, ketone, methylethyl ketone, methylene chloride, ethyldichloride, esters, ethyl acetate, or similar chemicals to remove labels or clean cartridges.

Storing Cartridges

Store cartridges in a clean environment. Do not take a cartridge out of its protective wrapping until you are ready to use it. Use the tear string, not a sharp instrument, to remove the wrapping. Before using a cartridge, ensure that it has been in its operating environment for at least 24 hours.

Maximizing Library Performance Though Cartridge Placement

  • Group together cartridges and compatible drives on the same rail. Mount cartridges in tape drives that are on the same rail and limit the distance cartridges must travel. Minimize elevator operations between rails within a library and pass-thru operations between libraries.

  • Ensure that each rail has the enough empty slots, data cartridges, scratch cartridges, and tape drives to support peak usage.

  • Move inactive cartridges out of the library. Move less frequently used cartridges away from the drives and more frequently used cartridges closer to the drives.

  • Load magazines adjacent to the rail in which the cartridges will reside..

  • Use Library Content Manager (LCM) to automatically manage free slots for z/OS customers.

  • Use the float option available with host management software (ACSLS and HSC).

  • Place cartridges that require significant enters and ejects on rails adjacent to a CAP. In libraries with rotational CAPs, place inactive cartridges on the top rail.