Library Configuration Best Practices

Follow library configuration guidelines to ensure the tape libraries send data to STA.

Verify library and drive firmware levels

To ensure richer library and drive data, use the most current library and drive firmware levels. See Library Requirements and Tape Drive Requirements.

Set library parameters before installing STA

To ensure complete compatibility with STA, you must set some library parameters to specific values. Make the following changes before configuring the library connection to STA.

• For SL8500 libraries, make sure the complex ID is unique for each monitored SL8500 complex. See Ensure the Correct Library Complex ID (SL8500 only).
• For SL150 and SL500 libraries, ensure the volume label format is set correctly. See Set Element Addressing Mode (SL150 only) and Set Volume Label Format.

Stop library activity before changing library parameters

You should stop all activity on a library before changing any library parameters. In addition, tape applications and hosts may require configuration changes after updating the library parameters.

Avoid duplicate volsers

Because all history for a particular piece of media is tied to its volume serial number (volser), you should avoid duplicate volsers in your tape library environment. See Avoid Duplicate Volume Serial Numbers.