Bulk Operations with the AEM

This section describes bulk operations with the Access Expansion Module (AEM).

The AEM is essentially a very large CAP that has all of the characteristics of a CAP, such as online/offline states and the ability to be shared by partitions.

The AEM allows you to perform bulk loads or unloads of up to 234 cartridges at a time, to or from the library. It also allows for the non-disruptive maintenance of a library TallBot.

For more information about the AEM, see Using the AEM.

Bulk Enters

Bulk enters on an AEM enable to you to enter up to 234 cartridges at a single time. You must start a normal enter specifying the AEM cap_id. This can either be a manual enter or you can set the AEM to automatic enter mode.

In a partitioned library, you can only set a CAP to automatic enter mode if the CAP is dedicated to your partition. Dedicating an AEM to only your partition makes it unavailable to other partitions. Consider other SL4000 users before doing this.

Bulk Ejects

When ejecting more than 42 volumes to the AEM, the preferred tool for larger ejects is lib_cmd or ejecting.sh. Any other user interface, including cmd_proc, xeject, or an ACSAPI eject will limit the eject load to 42 cartridges at a time.

See Using lib_cmd and ejecting.sh.

Caution:

When performing a bulk eject using the AEM, ensure all CAP magazines are present. The eject fails if there are missing CAP magazines at locations where ACSLS is attempting to eject cartridges.

The AEM should not to be used for entering or ejecting small numbers of cartridges. It should only be used for bulk enters and ejects.

Using the AEM for small enters and ejects is much slower since the service safety door must be lowered when the AEM is accessed to enter or remove volumes, and raised when access to the AEM is completed. For smaller numbers of cartridges, use rotational CAPs.

Since the AEM should not be used for small enters and ejects, the maximum CAP priority is 1. This aids in preventing the AEM from being selected when the CAP ID is wild-carded with an asterisk on an audit, enter, or eject.