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StorageTek SL3000 User's Guide

E20875-05
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Glossary

2N

A PDU that supplies power to the redundant AC power grid and the third and fourth accessory racks. See also N+1 and 2N+1.

2N+1

Two PDUs for AC redundancy. Each PDU has extra DC power supplies for N+1 redundancy for each PDU.

ACSLS

See Automated Cartridge System Library Software (ACSLS).

ADI

Automation drive interface.

AEM

See access expansion module.

access expansion module

Essentially a very large CAP, with all the characteristics of a CAP, such as online/offline state, ability to be shared by partitions, etc. The cartridge slots in the AEM cannot be used for long-term cartridge storage.

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.

activated capacity

The number of storage cells the library is activated to use. This cannot exceed the installed capacity.

Automated Cartridge System Library Software (ACSLS)

An open systems software package that manages library contents and controls library hardware to mount and dismount cartridges on tape drives. This application also provides library management services such as cartridge tracking, pooling, reports, and library control.

audit

An inventory of cartridge locations in all areas of the library, including the slots in the storage and reserved areas. Audits occur when:

Also see host audit, physical audit, security audit, verified auditand virtual audit.

base module

Provides the entry level offering for an SL3000 library. Consists of a single frame and centralizes the infrastructure for all other modules in the library. This module includes the power supplies, robotic units, electronics control module, cartridge access port, storage slots, tape drives, and operator controls.

bar code line scan camera

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

bulk load

Manually loading cartridges into the library, for example, during library installation.

CAP

See cartridge access port (CAP).

CDS

Control data set.

CEM

See cartridge expansion module.

CLI

Command line interface.

capacity

The storage capacity of the library. See also activated capacityand installed capacity.

cartridge

A container holding magnetic tape that can be processed without separating the tape from the container. The library uses data, diagnostic, and cleaning cartridges.

cartridge access port (CAP)

A bi-directional port built into the door panel of the library which provides for the manual entry or automatic ejection of data or cleaning cartridges. Same as import/export mail slot in SCSI and open system libraries.

cartridge bias

Left or right justification of a cartridge within a storage cell, CAP, or tape drive.

cartridge expansion module

An optional module for the library that provides additional cartridge slot capacity and growth.

cartridge proximity detector

A component that determines if a cell is empty or contains an unlabeled cartridge during a label reading error recovery procedure. Same as empty cell detector.

cell

The location in the library in which a tape cartridge is stored. Same as slot.

cell array

An array that holds multiple cartridges when not in use.

cleaning cartridge

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

To remove and replace a system component (typically one such as a logic board that has no redundant backup) after system operations have been stopped and system power has been disabled. Contrast with hot swap.

control data set

Data set used by the host software to control the functions of the automated library. Also called a library database.

customer interface module

The front module of the library at which you has access to the touch screen operator panel and service personnel have access to the library and service bay.

DEM

See drive expansion module (DEM).

dWWN

See dynamic WWN.

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 used for diagnostic routines.

data path

The path where data is transferred between the host and tape drives.

drive and electronics module

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

drive array assembly

An array that is installed in the drive and electronics module for mounting tape drive tray assemblies. The drive and electronics module holds up to four array assemblies, and each array holds up to 16 tape drive tray assemblies.

drive bay

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

drive bay address

A two-digit integer (01–64) that represents the physical locations into which drive tray assemblies are inserted.

drive expansion module (DEM)

A module that allows further expansion of tape drives.

drop-off cells

Cells 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 the library controller.

dynamic WWN

When enabled, dWWN assigns names to library drive slots rather than devices. When a drive is replaced, the new drive receives the same name as the one it replaced, thereby eliminating the need for system re-configuration. dWWN assigns names to individual tape drive slots rather than devices

ECM

See electronics control module.

ELS

See Enterprise Library Software.

ESCON

See Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON).

EPO

See emergency power-off (EPO).

eject

See export.

electronics control module

A module that includes the HBK card, HBC/HBCR card and HBT card. The assembly that:

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.

enter

See import.

Enterprise Library Software

The software products that automate tape operations for mainframe users.

Enterprise Systems Connection (ESCON)

An optical fiber serial interface which supports half duplex data transfers.

environmental monitors

A collective term for the sensors that track temperatures, fan speeds, and the status of various other mechanism within a library.

Ethernet

A local-area, packet-switched network technology. Ethernet is a 10- or 100-megabytes-per-second LAN.

export

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. Same as eject.

FCP

See Fiber Channel Protocol (FCP).

FICON

See fibre connection (FICON).

FRU

Field replaceable unit.

failover

The act of moving to a secondary or redundant path when the primary path fails. Also, in ACSLS HA, failing over to the standby (alternate) ACSLS server.

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.

Fiber Channel Protocol (FCP)

A transport protocol (similar to TCP used in IP networks) which predominantly transports SCSI commands over Fibre Channel networks.

fibre connection (FICON)

An IBM FC 4 protocol that extends the capabilities of ESCON. Used to map either ESCON or parallel channel-to-control-unit cabling infrastructure and protocol onto standard FC services and infrastructure.S/390-based channel architecture that provides up to 256 channels in a single connection, each having a capacity of 100 MB per second.

front controller module

The module that houses the controller for the elevators, CAPs, turntables, and safety barrier.

front facade

The external portion of the customer interface module, between the access doors, that holds the:

get

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

gripper

(1) The portion of the hand assembly that grasps the cartridge. (2) The part of the hand assembly that grasps and holds a cartridge during transport.

HLI/PRC

Host Library Interface/Panel Row Column

hand assembly

A part of the library robot whose function is to grasp cartridges and move them between storage cells and drives. A camera on the hand assembly reads cartridge volume labels.

host audit

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

hot swap

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

hot-pluggable

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

import

The process of placing a cartridge into the cartridge access port so that the library can insert it into a storage cell.

installed capacity

The number of storage cells physically present in the library.

interlock switch

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

keypad interface

See membrane keypad.

LCM

See Library Content Manager (LCM).

LTO

See linear tape open format (LTO).

LUN

See logical unit number.

library controller (LC)

The HBC/HBCR card within the library that controls operations and communicates with the operator panel.

Library Content Manager (LCM)

Software that provides content management for mainframe automated tape environments. Works in conjunction with host software component, virtual storage manager and your tape management system.

library operator panel

See touch screen operator control panel.

linear tape open format (LTO)

A set of tape data format standards created to enable data interchange among different LTO Ultrium tape drive vendors. These standards allow data cartridges to be shared.

logical library

A virtual representation of a physical library. Same as virtual library partition.

logical unit number

A unique identifier for a physical storage allocation. A LUN could reference an entire RAID set, a single hard disk or partition, or multiple disks or partitions. Unlike a physical LUN, the virtual LUN does not map to a specific device or allocation of storage space but a virtualized space that can be created in excess of the actual physical space available.

magazine

A removable array that holds cartridges and is placed into the cartridge access port (CAP).

membrane keypad

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

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.

online replacement

Replacement or service of a module while the library remains operational. The service person may be required to power off the module before removing or replacing it. Same as hot swap.

operator panel

See touch screen operator control panel.

orphaned cartridge

A cartridge in a partitioned library that is located in an unallocated cell or drive (that is, a cell or drive not allocated to any defined partition). Cartridges may become orphaned when partition boundaries are changed, partitions are deleted, or cartridges are manually moved to unallocated or inaccessible cells.

PDU

See power distribution unit (PDU).

PEM

See power distribution unit (PDU).

PLI

See primary library interface (PLI).

parking expansion module

An additional module available for the SL3000 library that allows a redundant robot to be parked in it.

physical audit

Physical audits occur when the robots:

physical library

A physically present library as opposed to a logical library.

power distribution unit (PDU)

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 source if the PDUs use separate AC sources) loses power.

primary library interface (PLI)

The communication path between the operator panel and the library controller.

put

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

RE

See Redundant Electronics (RE).

RTD

See real tape drive (RTD).

rail

(1) That portion of the upper robot track assembly that provides power and communication to the robot. (2) All of the cartridge slots and drives accessible through a rail.

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.

real tape drive (RTD)

The physical transport attached to the LSM. The transport has a data path to a VTSS and may also have a data path to MVS or to another VTSS.

Redundant Electronics (RE)

A feature that provides failover protection in enterprise libraries. RE uses a two sets of library controller cards. At any given time, one set is active and the other set is standby. The active library controller can failover to the standby in response to a command from ACSLS or the SL Console. Automatic failover can be initiated by the library in the event of a library card failure.

remote operator console

The customer's operator panel that interfaces with the PLI. See also security software layer.

robot

A mechanism that moves horizontally along a track to transport tape cartridges to and from other locations in the library.

SSL

See Secure Sockets Layer (SSL).

security audit

The process of reading and storing in library memory the vol-ids and locations of all cartridges in the library. See also host audit.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

A cryptographic protocol that provides communication security. The communication path between the PLI and the remote operator console occurs through SSL.

service area

An area between the access doors of the customer interface module and the safety barrier. In the service area, a redundant or inoperable robot can be stored for service and other mechanisms can be repaired or replaced.

service safety door

A motor-driven barrier that lowers and raises. This door separates the service areas of the front interface assembly from the rest of the library. The SSD allows service personnel to safely repair or replace library mechanisms while the front access door is opened and closed., without interference with most library operations.

slot

Same as cell.

TTI

See tape transport interface (TTI).

tape cartridge

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.

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. Same as drive tray assembly.

tape storage area

The area in the library where cartridges are stored.

tape transport interface (TTI)

An interface to control and monitor tape movement.

touch screen operator control panel

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

track

The horizontal path upon which a robot travels.

track drive mechanism

The component that moves the robot along the track between the cell arrays, CAPs, and tape drives.

vol-id

Volume ID assigned to a cartridge. Same as VOLSER.

VOLSER

Volume serial number. Same as vol-id.

VSM

See virtual storage manager (VSM).

VTCS

See virtual tape control system (VTCS).

VTD

See virtual tape drive (VTD).

VTSS

See virtual tape storage subsystem (VTSS).

vacancy plate

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

verified audit

Verified audits are invoked from the SL Console and actually validate the status of a specific cartridge slot or range of slots.

virtual audit

Virtual audits are invoked from the SL Console and only display the cartridge inventory in the console screen (either local or remote).

virtual storage manager (VSM)

A storage solution that virtualizes volumes and transports in the buffer of a virtual tape storage subsystem to improve media and transport use.

virtual tape control system (VTCS)

The primary host code that controls activity and information about VTSSs, VTVs, RTDs, and MVCs.

virtual tape drive (VTD)

An emulation of a physical transport in the VTSS that looks like a physical tape transport to MVS. The data written to a VTD is really being written to DASD. The VTSS has 64 VTDs that do virtual mounts of VTVs.

virtual tape storage subsystem (VTSS)

The DASD buffer containing virtual volumes (VTVs) and virtual drives (VTDs). The VTSS is a STK RAID 6 hardware device with microcode that enables transport emulation. The RAID device can read and write tape data from/to disk, and can read and write the data from/to an RTD.

virtual tape volume (VTV)

A portion of the DASD buffer that appears to the operating system as a real tape volume. Data is written to and read from the VTV, and the VTV can be migrated to and recalled from real tape.

WWN

See World Wide Name.

wrist

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

World Wide Name

A 64-bit address that uniquely identifies each individual device and vendor, much like the MAC address of an Ethernet interface. Each port on a Fibre Channel network must have a its own WWN. The WWN is not just a physical hardware address. It also serves as the logical address of a node on the SAN. This means that the SAN configuration changes if any of the attached hardware changes. If a device fails and is replaced, the WWN of the node changes, forcing reconfiguration of the SAN. There are three World wide Names reserved for each drive bay: Node, Port A, and Port B.