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Oracle® SL8500 StorageTek Modular Library System Systems Assurance Guide E24254-08 |
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# Glossary

This glossary defines terms and abbreviations in this and other SL8500 library related publications.

2N

A power configuration that gives the Product Name library full AC and DC power redundancy. This configuration allows AC line cords on two separate circuits, either of which can power the entire system. See also N+1.

access door

A door on either side of the front facade through which service personnel can enter the library. Optional CAPs are attached to the right access door.

accessory rack

An area of the drive and electronics module that is used for Product Name library electronic and power equipment and for other standard 19-inch rack-mount electronic equipment. Up to four racks are permitted in the electronics/drive assembly. Rack-mount equipment must be on the approved equipment list.

ACS

Automated cartridge system. The ACS consists of host software, a library management unit, a library control unit, library storage modules, and cartridge subsystems. These components provide automatic mounting and dismounting of cartridge tapes into a transport, cartridge access port, or pass-thru port. This term is synonymous with library.

ACSLS

Automated Cartridge System Library Software. Software that manages ACS library contents and controls ACS library hardware to mount and dismount cartridges on ACS drives.

Any Cartridge Any Slot technology

The StorageTek technology that allows seamless sharing of different media types and drives without hard partitions.

array

A partitioned unit that holds multiple objects, such as cartridges or tape drive tray assemblies.

audit

A physical inventory of the contents of all or part of a library.

Automated Cartridge System Library Software (ACSLS)

See ACSLS.

barcode line scan camera

A component of the robot that is used for cartridge identification and position calibration.

camera

(1) The barcode line scanner that is part of the robot hand assembly.

(2) The two LibCam monitoring cameras that display activity inside the library on the touch screen operator control panel.

CAP

Cartridge access port. A device in the library that allows an operator to insert or remove cartridges during library operations.

cartridge access port (CAP)

See CAP.

cartridge array

An array that holds multiple cartridges. The SL8500 library contains 8, 13, or 14 slots, depending on their location.

cartridge tape

A container holding magnetic tape that can be processed without separating the tape from the container. The library uses data, diagnostic, and cleaning cartridges. These cartridges are not interchangeable.

CIM

Customer interface module. The front module of the SL8500 library at which the customer has access to the touch screen operator panel and CAPs, and service personnel have access to the library and service bay.

cleaning cartridge

A tape cartridge that contains special material to clean the tape path in a transport or drive.

CLI

Command line interface.

CompactPCI (cPCI®)

See cPCI.

controller

The module that houses the controls for the elevators, CAPs, and service safety door.

cPCI

CompactPCI. Industry standard bus used for card-to-card bus expansion.

customer interface module (CIM)

See CIM.

database.

A collection of interrelated data records.

database management system.

The process that accesses, controls, organizes, and modifies a database.

data cartridge

A term used to distinguish a cartridge onto which a tape drive may write data from a cartridge used for cleaning or diagnostic purposes.

diagnostic cartridge

A data cartridge with a "DG" label that is used for diagnostic routines.

drive and electronics module

The module in an Product Name library that contains the electronics control module, power distribution units (PDUs), power supplies, accessory racks and equipment, and tape drives for the library.

drive bay

A partitioned section of the tape drive array assembly that holds one tape drive tray assembly.

drop-off slots

Slots used to hold a cartridge in the event of a robot failure that occurs while a cartridge is in the robot hand.

Dual TCP/IP

Provides two separate host connections between the host software (ACSLS or HSC) and a library.

dWWN

Dynamic World Wide Name. A feature that applies dynamic names to network devices rather than fixed names. When a dWWN-named device is replaced, it is assigned the same WWN as the one replaced, preventing reconfiguration of the network.

dynamic World Wide Name (dWWN)

See dWWN.

ECM

Electronics control module. The assembly that processes commands from a host system, coordinates the activities of robots, elevators, pass-thru ports, and tape drives, and monitors status inputs from sensors and switches.

eject

The action in which the library places a cartridge into the cartridge access port so that the operator can remove the cartridge from the library. Synonymous with export.

electronics control module (ECM)

See ECM.

elevator

The device that transports cartridges vertically, across rail boundaries.

emergency power-off (EPO)

(1) A safety scheme that allows a "power down" of a subsystem or a system as a whole instead of powering it down component-by-component. (2) A safety switch on a machine or in a data center that allows a user to immediately power down a machine or a data center power supply by cutting off the external source power.

Emergency Robotics Stop

A button on the Customer Interface Module keypad that removes power to the robotics power grid, leaving the remaining library power on.

Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON)

See ESCON.

ESCON

Enterprise Systems Connection. A set of fiber-optic based products and services developed by IBM that allows devices within a storage environment to be dynamically configured. A channel-to-control unit I/O interface that uses optical cables as a transmission medium.

Ethernet

A local-area, packet-switched network technology. Originally designed for coaxial cable, it is now found running over shielded, twisted-pair cable. Ethernet is a 10 or 100-megabits-per-second LAN.

external label identifiers

A six–character alphanumeric label on the outside edge of a cartridge used to identify a physical tape volume. It may consist of uppercase letters A through Z, numerals 0 through 9, $, #, and blanks.

failover

The act of moving to a secondary or redundant path when the primary path fails.

Fibre Channel

A bidirectional, full-duplex, point-to-point, serial data channel structured for high performance capacity. The Fibre Channel is an interconnection of multiple communication ports, called N_Ports. These N_Ports are interconnected by a switching network, called a fabric, to a point-to-point link, or an arbitrated loop. Fibre Channel is a generalized transport mechanism with no protocol of its own. A Fibre Channel does not have a native input/output command set, but can transport existing Upper Level Protocols (ULP) such as SCSI and IPI. Fibre Channel operates at speeds of 100 Mb per second (full speed), 50 Mb per second (half speed), 25 Mb (quarter speed), or 12.5 Mb (eighth speed). Fibre Channel operates over distances of up to 100 m over copper media or up to 10 km over optical links.

fibre connection (FICON)

See FICON.

FICON

Fibre connection. An IBM S/390-based channel architecture that provides up to 256 channels in a single connection, each having a capacity of 100 MB per second.

FRU

Field-replaceable unit

get

An activity in which a robot obtains a cartridge from a slot or drive.

gripper

The portion of the hand assembly that grasps the cartridge.

hand assembly

A part of the library robot whose function is to grasp cartridges and move them between storage slots and drives. A bar-code line scan camera on the hand assembly reads cartridge volume labels.

HandBot

High performance small robot. Four or eight HandBots are used in an SL8500 library. Contrast with TallBot.

HBZ module

See controller.

HLI

Host/Library Interface. One way that the library management software (HSC and ACSLS) communicates with a library.

HLI-PRC address

A four-digit, comma-separated value (L,P,R,C) that represents LSM, Panel, Row, and Column. This addressing scheme is used by host LMU interface (HLI) clients, including ACSLS and HSC, to represent library components accessible to those HLI clients.

host audit

The process of updating the cartridge VOLIDs and locations (collected by a security audit) in a host CDS. This audit is initiated by a host command.

Host Software Component (HSC)

See HSC.

hot swap

Removal and replacement of a system component while system power remains on and system operations continue. Contrast with cold swap and hot-pluggable. Synonymous with online servicing.

hot-pluggable

The capability that allows a service representative to replace FRUs while power to the FRU is maintained. This feature allows hardware maintenance actions and hardware upgrades to proceed without disrupting subsystem availability. Contrast with hot swap.

HSC

Host Software Component. Software running on an IBM mainframe that controls multiple libraries as a library server.

import

The process of placing a cartridge into the cartridge access port so that the library can insert it into a storage slot. Synonymous with enter.

interlock switch

A switch that disconnects power to library mechanisms, excluding tape drives, when the front door is opened.

initial program load (IPL)

A process that activates a machine reset and loads system programs to prepare a computer system for operation. Processors having diagnostic programs activate these programs at initial program load execution. Devices running firmware usually reload the functional firmware from a diskette or disk drive at initial program load execution. Synonymous with initial microprogram load (IML).

keypad interface

A keypad mounted on the front facade used to monitor the status of the SL8500 library and to operate the CAPs.

library

A library is composed of one or more ACSs, attached cartridge drives, volumes in the ACSs, and the library management software that controls and manages the ACSs.

library complex

Two or more SL8500 libraries attached to each other with PTPs.

Library Console

The operator panel software application used for the SL8500.

library controller

The HBC card within the Product Name library that controls operations and communicates with the operator panel.

library operator panel

See touch screen operator control panel.

library storage module (LSM)

A term used to identify each level of the SL8500, including the rail assembly, robotics, tape drives, power supplies, electronics modules, and accessory rack. The LSMs are numbered top-to-bottom, 0–3.

logical library

A virtual representation of a physical library. Synonymous with virtual library partition. See also physical library.

magazine

A removable array that holds cartridges and is placed into the cartridge access port (CAP). Each SL8500 CAP holds up to three magazines, each of which holds up to 13 cartridges.

master (pass-thru port)

The side of a pass-thru port (PTP) that contains the electronics that control the actions of the PTP. See also standby (pass-thru port).

Multi-TCP/IP

Using TCP/IP connections to multiple libraries to provide redundant communication paths between the host software (ACSLS or HSC) and an SL8500 library complex.

N+1

A power configuration that provides AC power and redundant DC power by adding a second DC power supply to each DC bus. See also 2N.

operator panel

See touch screen operator control panel.

partition

Partition of a library cell's, cartridges, drives, and CAPs assigned to a physical partition that is managed by ACSLS as a separate ACS.

pass-thru port (PTP)

A mechanism that enables a cartridge to pass through from one library to another in a multiple modular library complex.

PCI

Peripheral component interconnect.

PDU

Power distribution unit. A device for the distribution of AC line power from one inlet to multiple outlets. Multiple PDUs provide higher availability because the power continues if one PDU (or its alternating current [AC] source if the PDUs use separate AC sources) loses power.

physical library

A single SL8500 library consisting of a customer interface module, robotics interface module, and a drive and electronics module, with one to five storage expansion modules optional. See also logical library.

power distribution unit (PDU)

See PDU.

power grid

A power circuit that minimizes power failures that cause the library to cease operations. An Product Name library has five power grids, two for AC power and three for DC power.

power/communication bus rail

A rail that sits on the robot track to provide 48 VDC power and communication to the robot.

primary library interface (PLI)

The communication path between the operator panel and the library controller (the HBC card.) This consists of Ethernet with TCP/IP and XML.

put

An activity in which a robot places a cartridge into a slot or drive.

RaceTrack architecture

The design and implementation of the SL8500 library's multiple high performance robotics.

rail

That portion of the upper robot track assembly that provides power and communication to the robot.

rail assembly

The mechanism on which the robot travels between cartridge arrays and tape drives.

reach mechanism

A component of the robot that moves the gripper to get or put a cartridge at a designated location.

RealTime Growth capability

The capability to add pass-thru ports dynamically while the library is operating.

Redundant Electronics

Redundant electronics is a hardware activated and software controlled optional feature for the SL8500 Library. This feature supplies automatic and manual switch over for failing HBC and HBT controller cards.

remote operator console

The customer's operator panel that interfaces with the PLI. See also Library Console.

reserved slots

Cartridge slots that are used only for cleaning and diagnostic cartridges and as drop-off slots.

robot

A mechanism that moves horizontally along a track in the Product Name to transport tape cartridges to and from other locations in the library. Also called a HandBot or TallBot.

robotics interface module (RIM)

The module containing the curved rails and pass-through port (PTP) assemblies. See also RaceTrack architecture.

security audit

The process of reading and storing in Product Name library memory the VOLIDs and locations of all cartridges in the library. See also host audit.

SEM

Storage expansion module. An optional module for the SL8500 library that provides up to 1728 additional cartridge storage slots. Up to five modules can be attached to each SL8500 library.

service area

An area between the access doors of the customer interface assembly and the service safety door in which an inoperable robot is stored for service and other mechanisms can be repaired or replaced.

service safety door

A motor-driven barrier that separates the service areas of the front interface assembly from the rest of the library so that service personnel can safely repair or replace failed library mechanisms while the library continues normal operations. Synonymous with safety barrier.

SL8500

See SL8500 modular library system.

SL8500 address

A five-digit, comma-separated value (L,C,R,S,W) that represents Library, Rail, Column, Side, and Row. This addressing scheme is used by SL8500 firmware and internal communications to represent all devices and locations within the library.

SL8500 modular library system

An automated tape library comprised of: customer interface module, robotics interface module, drive and electronics module, and storage expansion module (optional).

slot

Location in the library in which a tape cartridge is stored. Synonymous with cell.

standby (pass-thru port)

The side of a pass-thru port (PTP) that operates in response to actions initiated by the master side of the PTP. See also master (pass-thru port).

storage expansion module

See SEM.

TallBot

High capacity tall robot. One or two TallBots are used in an SL8500 library. Contrast with HandBot.

tape drive

An electromechanical device that moves magnetic tape and includes mechanisms for writing and reading data to and from the tape.

tape drive tray assembly

The mechanical structure that houses a tape drive, fan assembly, power and logic cards, cables, and connectors for data and logic cables. Synonymous with drive tray assembly.

touch screen operator control panel

A feature consisting of a flat-panel display with a touch screen interface and a panel mount computer. This feature is attached to the front facade.

turntable

A mechanism that transfers cartridges between the aisles within a single library.

U

A standard unit of measurement of vertical space inside a rack-mount cabinet equal to 44.5 mm (1.75 in.).

unlocked

In the SL8500 library, status indicating that software has made a CAP available for operator use. An LED is lit when a CAP is unlocked.

vacancy plate

A plate that covers an unused bay, such as a drive bay or power supply bay.

VOLSER

Volume serial number. A synonym for external label identifier.

volume

A tape cartridge.

volume identifier

A six–character string that uniquely identifies a tape cartridge to the database.

World Wide Name

A 64-bit integer that identifies a Fibre Channel port. See also dWWN.

wrist

A mechanism in the robot assembly that allows the robot to access the outer and inner storage walls.