6 Site Planning

Floor Template

A floor template is available to help with planning. This template is an actual size, multi-module design made of corrugated plastic.

Figure 6-1 Floor Planning Template

Weight

Ensure the site floor can physically support the weight of the library.

Depending on the number of modules, tape drives, and tape cartridges, the weight of the library can vary. See Table 6–1, " Library Weights and Measures" for more information.

Additionally, if the equipment must be transported on elevators, the elevator cars must be capable of safely handling the weight. See "Shipping Weights and Dimensions" on page 7-4 for more information.

Weight Distribution Pads

The customer's floor must be capable of supporting 454 kg (1,000 lb) per weight distribution pad. These pads measure 4 inches by 8 inches. The minimum weight limit includes the modules plus a factor of safety to accommodate torque values, installation procedures, and component variances.

The figure below shows the weight distribution pad placements for the various modules. The distribution pads are represented by the dark grey boxes.

Note: Notice the placement and direction of the pads.

Figure 6-2 Weight Distribution Pad Locations (viewed from top of library)

Co-planar Requirements

The customer's floor should be laser-leveled before receiving any equipment. The library modules must be level across the width (from left to right) and installed on the same horizontal plane to within ±25 mm (1 in.) tolerance.

For future library complex expansion, check the entire floor adjacent to the library for pass-thru port operations or in front of the library for storage expansion modules.

Because the HandBots travel along rails, the library must be adjusted for the rails to be on the same plane (co-planar). Some customer floors may contain slight slopes in them (despite the laser leveling requirement).

• The floor variations cannot exceed 28 mm ± 0.8 mm (1.1 in. ± 0.0325 in.) throughout the length of the library.

Height Adjustments

The figure below shows the minimum and maximum library height specifications:

• Minimum height =231.4 cm (91 in.)

• Maximum height =236.6 cm (93.15 in.)

On a level floor, the first module's height, between the module and floor, should be adjusted to 25.4 mm ± 0.8 mm (1 in. ± 0.0325 in.). The absolute minimum module-to-floor height permitted is 19 mm (0.75 in.). Following these guidelines allows you to adjust the library to meet the "Co-planar Requirements".

Figure 6-4 Height Adjustment Specifications

Clearances

The table below lists the clearances—library to ceiling—required to install side covers, front and rear doors, and the upper modules.

To calculate maximum height and installation clearances, use the library height range and add the overhead clearance.

Floor Cutouts

Floor cutouts for cable routing must be supplied for the library. Cables include:

• Power cables

• Ethernet cables

• Interface cables

The figure below shows an example with dimension for the floor cutouts which are placed near the two, rear corners of the Drive and Electronics Module.

Figure 6-6 Floor Cutouts for Power and Signal Cables

The recommended "rough-in" AC feed (power cable) measured from the top of the raised floor to the input of the power distribution unit is 46 cm (18 in.).

Internal Cabling

When routing cabling, avoid the accessory racks, tape drives, the electronics module, and any obstructions noted in the figure below.

If the existing fire suppression cutouts are not being used, use flexible conduit or cables to route power connections to the AC power supply from above the library. If the fire suppression cutouts are being used, new cutouts should be made in the frame to route conduit or cables to the AC power supply.

Optional routing to the left of the tape drive bays may be used for clearance. However, use flexible conduit for the Tape Drive DC power supply grid.

Figure 6-7 Internal Conduit and Cable Routing

Tape Drive Cable

By consolidating network components in the SL8500 rack areas, cabling and establishing a storage area network (SAN) is less difficult. The figure below shows network components (Fibre Channel switches and Ethernet hubs) in the rack space of the SL8500 library with 16 tape drives.

Figure 6-8 Cabling Tape Drives (example only, figure is not exact)

Remember the following when routing cabling:

• Every tape drive needs an interface cable.

• Not all tape drives require an Ethernet cable.

• When ordering cables, plan for 1–2 m (3–7 ft) of slack cable for routing.

Make sure you have the correct tape drive and cartridge tape associated for every LSM in the library to support mixed media Any Cartridge Any Time.

Drive and Electronics Module

The figure below shows the location of components at the rear of the library (the Drive and Electronics Module). Up to 64 drives and 4 rack modules can be placed in the library. The power configuration and number of power supplies required depends on the library configuration selected. See Chapter 2, "Features, Software, and Connectivity" for more information.

Figure 6-9 Drive and Electronics Module Planning

Electronics Control Module

The figure below shows the electronics control module (ECM) which resides in a card cage in the rear of the library. The ECM is split into two parts and can hold two independent and redundant card sets and four AC-to-DC converters.

Figure 6-10 Electronic Control Module

Accessory Racks

The SL8500 library provides space where up to four standard RETMA 19 inch racks can be installed. Oracle cannot mandate what the customer installs in these racks; therefore, certain guidelines should be followed to prevent voiding the warranty.

Two of the racks (2 and 4) receive power from the primary AC power grid. The other two racks (1 and 3) require the 2N power configuration.

Tape Drives and Cartridges

The supported tape drives fit into a drive tray that slides into the slots of the drive bay in the rear of the library. The weights below are for reference only, check the drive specific documentation for the weights and measures of a specific generation of drive.

The total tape drive weights including drive trays are listed below, along with the tape cartridge weights.

Pass-thru Port Planning

For non-disruptive growth, the preferred method is to add libraries from right to left (viewed from front/CAP-side of library complex). However, the library can grow in the other direction, from left to right, but this requires a disruption to re-configuration the system, re-number the LSMs, and re-IPL the library.

The figure below shows two examples of three libraries connected with PTPs.

• Example A shows the LSM numbering as you add libraries to the left. Adding another library (C) to the left of the library complex increases the LSM numbering sequentially. This is the preferred method.

• Example B shows the LSM numbering as you add libraries to the right. Adding another library (C) to the right of the library complex requires a reconfiguration of LSM numbering.

Figure 6-11 Pass-thru Port Planning Example

To implement the pass-thru port feature, you must have:

• Accessory racks: 1 rack (required) 2 racks for power redundancy

• Inter-library Communications kit

• PTP conversion bill and instructions

• Software upgrade and reconfiguration

The following terms and definitions apply to SL8500 PTP operations:

• Home library: Provides power, signal, and control lines to the PTP mechanisms.

• Away library: Located on the left side of a Home library, as viewed from the front.

• Source: Contains the home slot for cartridges that pass to adjacent libraries.

• Destination: Contains the tape drive or slot location in the adjacent library where the cartridge will be mounted or stored.

AC Power

There are two possible AC power configurations for the library.

• N+1 power: the standard power configuration for DC power redundancy.

• 2N power: an optional configuration for both AC and DC power redundancy.

  
  

  Note: The 2N power distribution unit must connect to a separate power source to provide both AC and DC power redundancy.

  
  

There are three possible power source options:

• Delta: 200–240 VAC, three phase, 50–60 Hz, 40 Amps

• Wye: 200–240VAC, three phase, 50–60 Hz, 24 Amps

• Single-phase: 200–240 VAC, 50–60 Hz, 24 Amps (3-separate inputs)

For more information about AC power requirements of the SL8500, see "AC Power Options".

DC Power

The DC power grids use load sharing power supplies. The number of power supplies needed depends on the library configuration. For more information about DC power options, see "DC Power"

Temperature and Humidity

Optimal reliability of the SL8500 library is achieved if the environment is maintained between the recommended ranges.

Seismic or Earthquake Ratings

The requirements for seismic compatibility vary dramatically throughout the world. As such, a standard "seismic" feature for the SL8500 modular library system is not offered.

It is recommended that any customer who has seismic concerns work with local experts who are familiar with the local code and requirements. Professional Services can also be engaged to help coordinate this activity.

Air Flow

The air flow required to cool the SL8500 library depends on the total number of components installed, such as tape drives, load sharing DC power supplies, and accessory racks.

A maximum configured library with 64 tape drives, 24 DC power supplies, four rack modules, and the electronic control module would require:

• 112.0 m³/min. (3956 ft³/min.) of air supply to avoid recirculation.

Most configurations are smaller than this and require less air flow. For example, 12 tape drives split between drive bays for redundancy, one robot on each level, one rack module, and the electronic control module would require:

• 33.30 m³/min. (1176 ft³/min.)

The layout of the data center should account for the cooling requirements of SL8500 as well as other equipment in the center—possibly through the concept of having a cool aisle and hot aisle in accordance with environmental best practices and controls.

Airborne Contaminants

Control over contaminant levels in a computer room is an extremely important consideration when evaluating an environment. The impact of contamination on sensitive electronic hardware is well recognized, but the most harmful contaminants are often overlooked because they are so small.

Automated Tape Library components and electronics, tape drives, and media are subject to damage from airborne particulates. The operating environment must adhere to the requirements of:

• ISO 14644-1 Class 8 environment

For more information see Appendix C, "Controlling Contaminants".

Gasses that are particularly dangerous to electronic components include chlorine compounds, ammonia and its derivatives, oxides of sulfur and petrol hydrocarbons. In the absence of appropriate hardware exposure limits, health exposure limits must be used.

Humidification with chlorinated water is a common source of damaging airborne chlorine. Appropriately designed carbon filters must be used to insure safe levels of airborne chlorine when chlorinated water is used for humidification.

The following table lists some recommendations for gaseous limits.

PEL: Permissible Exposure Limit

ppm: Parts Per Million

µg/m³: Micrograms Per Cubic Meter

(c): ceiling