Glossary

arm

The robotic assembly that is lowered between the columns of tapes. The arm hangs on four wires from the Z mechanism. The arm includes the hand, the rails the hand rides on, the track motor that moves the hand along the rails, and the KLT card.

alphanumeric

A character or group of characters that identifies a register, a particular part of storage, or some other data source or destination. (A).

audit

The process of recording the location of all tapes in a library.

base chassis

The sheet metal and plastic chassis that makes up the framework of Module 1.

base module

The smallest, fully functional library consisting of the base chassis with the midplane, robot, front control panel, mailslot, one or two power supplies, up to two half-height LTO Ultrium tape drives, left magazine, and right magazine.

cartridge

A storage device that consists of magnetic tape on a supply reel in a protective housing. The spine of the cartridge usually contains a label listing the volume identification number. Also called tape, tape cartridge, tape volume, or cassette.

cell

See slot.

cleaning cartridge

A tape cartridge that contains special material to clean the tape path in a transport or drive. LTO Ultrium cleaning cartridge labels have a CLN prefix and a CU media identifier.

configuration

The manner in which the hardware and software of an information processing system is organized and interconnected. (T)

data cartridge

A term used to distinguish a cartridge onto which a tape drive may write data.

diagnostics

Pertaining to the detection and isolation of errors in programs and faults in equipment.

dismount

To remove a tape from a drive.

drive

A drive controls the movement of the tape and records or reads the data on the tape as desired by the customer (see tape drive).

drive cleaning

The device feature that uses a cleaning cartridge to clean a tape drive.

drive slot

The space in the library where the tape drive resides.

drive tray

See tape drive.

dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)

A network protocol that enables a server to automatically assign an IP address to devices on a network. DHCP assigns a number dynamically from a defined range of numbers for a given network.

encryption

The process of changing data into a form that cannot be read until it is deciphered, protecting the data from unauthorized access and use.

Ethernet

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

expansion cable

A cable used to connect modules 2–10 to Module 1. Each end of the cable has a USB A style connector.

expansion chassis

The sheet metal and plastic chassis that makes up the framework for Module 2–10.

expansion module

A module that can be added to the bottom of an existing library to increase its capacity for drives and tape cartridges (tapes). The module consists of the expansion chassis, a module controller, up to two power supplies, up to two half-height LTO Ultrium tape drives, a left magazine, and a right magazine. The expansion module connects to the base module by an expansion cable.

export

The action in which the device places a cartridge into the mailslot so that the operator can remove the cartridge. Also called eject.

FC

See Fibre Channel.

fiber optics

The branch of optical technology concerned with the transmission of radiant power through fibers made of transparent materials such as glass, fused silica, and plastic. (E)

fiber-optic cable

A cable made of ultra-thin glass or silica fibers which can transmit data using pulses of laser light. Fiber-optic cables have several advantages over copper cables: they have much less signal loss; they allow information to be transmitted at higher speeds and over longer distances; they are not affected by external electrical noise; and they are better for transmissions which require security.

Fibre Channel

The National Committee for Information Technology Standards standard that defines an ultrahigh-speed, content-independent, multilevel data transmission interface that supports multiple protocols simultaneously. Fibre Channel supports connectivity to millions of devices over copper and/or fiber-optic physical media and provides the best characteristics of both networks and channels over diverse topologies.

front control panel

An assembly mounted on the front of the base chassis. It includes the touch screen operator panel, various LEDs and switches, and associated electronics.

get

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

gripper

The portion of the hand assembly that grasps and holds a cartridge.

GUI

Graphical user interface. Software that allows the user to control the device through visual screens.

hand

The robotic mechanism that grabs tape cartridges and moves them between slots and the drive. It is a component of the arm. The hand has a reach mechanism that gets tape cartridges from slots or drives and puts them into slots or drives. The hand also has a wrist mechanism that rotates the hand to allow it to reach cartridges on either side or the drives at the back of the library.

hardware

All or part of the physical components of an information processing system, such as computers or peripheral devices. (T) (A)

HBA

See host bus adapter.

host computer

In a computer network, a computer that usually performs network control functions and provides end users with services such as computation and database access. (T)

host bus adapter (HBA)

A circuit installed in a multi-platform host or device that interfaces between the device and the bus.

host interface

An interface between a network and host computer. (T)

import

The process of bringing a cartridge into the library from the mailslot. Also called enter.

indicator

A device that provides a visual or other indication of the existence of a defined state. (T)

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.

initialization

The operations required for setting a device to a starting state, before the use of a data medium, or before implementation of a process. (T)

interface

Hardware, software, or both, that links systems, programs, or devices. (IBM)

internet protocol (IP)

A protocol used to route data from its source to its destination in an Internet environment. (IBM)

inventory

The process of reading and storing in memory the bar code identification and location of all tape cartridges in a library.

IP

See internet protocol.

IPL

See initial program load.

LC connector

A standard fiber-optic cable connector for Fibre Channel data transfer.

LED

Light emitting diode. An electronic device that lights up when electricity is passed through it.

left magazine

A plastic assembly containing 15 tape slots that can be inserted into the left side (as viewed from the front) of Modules 1–10. Left magazines and right magazines are not interchangeable.

library

A robotic system that stores, moves, mounts, and dismounts tape cartridges that are used in data read or write operations.

LTO

An acronym for Linear Tape-Open technology. An ”open format” technology, which means that users will have multiple sources of products and media.

LUN

Logical Unit Number. An address for a component of a SCSI device. In this device, the host computer sends the SCSI commands to for the library to LUN 1 of the master tape drive and sends SCSI commands for the tape drive itself to LUN 0.

magnetic tape

A tape with a magnetizable layer on which data can be stored. (T)

magnetic tape drive

A mechanism for controlling the movement of magnetic tape, commonly used to move magnetic tape past a read head or write head, or to allow automatic rewinding. (I) (A)

mailslot

A plastic and metal assembly located in the upper right corner of the base chassis used to enter tapes into the library and to remove tapes from the library. Previous StorageTek libraries called this a CAP (Cartridge Access Port).

midplane

A card mounted in the base chassis or expansion chassis that is behind the tape slots and in front of the tape drives. Other cards connect to it either by direct connection or by a cable.

Module 1

See base module.

module controller

A card inserted into the back of Modules 2–10 that controls the operation of the module. It is connected to the robot by an expansion cable.

Module X (2 through 10)

See expansion module.

mount

To place a tape in a drive and make it accessible to the host system.

multimode fiber

An optical fiber designed to carry multiple signals, distinguished by frequency or phase, at the same time.

net mask

A 32-bit, or 4-byte number, in dotted decimal format (typically written as four numbers separated by periods, such as 255.255.0.0 or 255.255.255.0) that is applied to an IP address to identify the network and node address of a host or router interface. (Synonymous with subnet mask.)

network

An arrangement of nodes and branches that connects data processing devices to one another through software and hardware links to facilitate information interchange.

offline

Neither controlled by, nor communicating with, a computer. (IBM)

online

Pertaining to the operation of a functional unit when under the direct control of the computer. (T)

operator panel

A component of the front control panel consisting of a seven inch WVGA color touch screen.

port

A specific communications end point within a host. A port is identified by a port number. (IBM) (2) In Fibre Channel, an access point in a device where a link attaches.

put

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

power supply

An AC to DC power supply that mounts into the rear of a module Module (1–10). Referred to as top power supply or bottom power supply when referring to a power supply installed in a specific module.

power supply filler

A metal frame that slides into a power supply slot when a power supply will not be used in that slot.

release

A distribution of a new product or new function and fixes for an existing product. (IBM)

right magazine

A plastic assembly containing 15 tape slots that can be inserted into the right side (as viewed from the front) of Modules 1–10. Right magazines and left magazines are not interchangeable.

robot

An assembly that incorporates the bulk of the Module 1 electronics and the robotic components. This assembly is a combination of mechanical components, electronics, and a sheet metal housing. It is located at the top of the base chassis and incorporates the arm, Z mechanism, a CPU board, plus the KLC and KLZ cards.

SAS

Serial Attached SCSI. A computer bus technology and serial communication protocol for direct attached storage devices, including disk drives and high-performance tape drives.

SCSI

Small Computer System Interface. A standard interface and command set for transferring data between mass storage and other devices. The host computer uses SCSI commands to operate the device. Depending on the model, physical connection between the host computer and the tape drive will use a parallel SCSI, SAS, or Fibre Channel interface.

slot

An empty location into which something else may be placed. Most commonly used when referring to the locations in the magazine or mailslot where tape cartridges are placed. Power supplies and drives are also placed in slots.

switch

In Fibre Channel technology, a device that connects Fibre Channel devices together in a fabric.

tape

Also known as cartridge, tape cartridge, tape volume, volume, or cassette.

tape cartridge

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

tape drive

An electro-mechanical device that moves magnetic tape and includes mechanisms for writing and reading data to and from the tape. The drive is mounted into a proprietary tray (sometimes called a sled).

tape drive filler

A metal frame that slides into a tape drive slot when a tape drive will not be used in that slot.

Terabyte

A unit of storage, abbreviated T or TB, equal to 1,024 Gigabytes.

U

A measure of chassis height. 1U in rack measurement is 44.45 millimeters (1.75 inches).

USB

Universal Serial Bus. A serial bus standard used to interface devices.

World Wide Name

A unique identifier in a Fibre Channel or SAS storage network. The first three bytes are derived from an IEEE Organizationally Unique Identifier (OUI), which defines the manufacturer or vendor. The remaining five bytes are assigned by the vendor.

WORM

An acronym for Write Once Read Many times, a class of recording systems that allow recording and adding data, but not altering recorded data.

wrist

A component of the hand assembly that rotates the hand horizontally.

Z mechanism

The robotic assembly mounted at the back of the robot that raises and lowers the arm. The Z mechanism includes a motor, gears, the bullwheel, and the wires and pulleys that hold the arm. As the motor turns, the bullwheel rotates and extends or retracts the wires to lower or raise the arm.