Using these ACSAPI Requests & ACSLS Commands

This section describes how to use the ACSAPI requests and commands for improving tape library performance.

In the following discussion, the term “request" is used for both ACSAPI requests and cmd_proc commands.

When mounting a specific cartridge (where the vol_id is known):

• Precede the mount request with a query mount request.

• Pick the first “available" drive, and specify this drive in the mount request.

When mounting a scratch cartridge on a specific drive, there are two options:

• To select the closest scratch cartridge to a specific drive:

  Use a mount scratch request specifying a drive and, optionally, a scratch pool.

  For ACSAPI requests, specify one of the following:

  • ALL_MEDIA_TYPE (compatible media is selected)

  • ANY_MEDIA_TYPE (uses the scratch preference list).

  For cmd_proc commands, select one of the following:

  • Do not specify a media type (compatible media is selected)

  • Specify media * (uses the scratch preference list).

• To select a specific drive from a list of drives, and then select the closest scratch cartridge:

  Pick the drive, then pick the scratch tape: This ensures the drive is close to the scratch cartridge.

  • Enter a query mount scratch request to identify the closest available drive to the most scratch media in the desired scratch pool.

  • Enter a mount scratch request to mount a scratch cartridge on the selected drive. Optionally, specify the scratch pool.

  For ACSAPI requests, either specify:

  • ALL_MEDIA_TYPE (and compatible media will be selected), or

  • ANY_MEDIA_TYPE (to use the scratch preference list).

  For cmd_proc commands, either:

  • Do not specify a media type (and compatible media will be selected), or

  • Specify media * (to use the scratch preference list).