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StorageTek SL150 Modular Tape Library User's Guide Revision 6 E24606-06 |
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# 5 Importing and Exporting Media

This chapter outlines the basic processes for handling and moving media stored in a StorageTek SL150 Modular Tape Library. It begins with an overview of basic precautions and requirements for working with tape media:

- Using Supported Media

- Handling Cartridges

- Labeling Cartridges

- Inspecting Cartridges

Then it outlines the basic approaches to importing and exporting media and moving cartridges within the library:

- Loading and Unloading Magazines

- Loading and Unloading Individual Cartridges

- Moving Tape Cartridges with the SL150 User Interface.

## Using Supported Media

The half-height, Hewlett-Packard Linear Tape Open drives in SL150 libraries are designed to read and write Ultrium cartridges, both standard and WORM (write-once/read-many). Each of the Ultrium Gen-6 cartridges used in LTO-6 drives holds 2.5 TB of uncompressed data or up to 5 TB of compressed data. The Gen-5 cartridges used in LTO-5 drives hold 1.5 TB of uncompressed data or up to 3 TB of compressed data. (Some data types, such as JPEG imagery and binary files, do not compress appreciably, so results can vary).

For best capacity and performance, always use cartridges of the same generation as your drives (Gen-5 cartridges in LTO-5 drives, Gen-6 in LTO-6, etc.). You can, however, access data on older LTO cartridge formats as well. LTO-6 drives can read and write Ultrium Generation-5, standard and WORM cartridges, and they can read Ultrium Generation-4 media. LTO-5 drives can read and write Ultrium Generation-4 media and can read Generation-3. Remember, however, that using any significant number of these older media types reduces the overall storage capacity and performance of the library. Older cartridges hold substantially less data, and current LTO drives have to access them at the reduced data-transfer rate specified for each older format.

A typical LTO Ultrium cartridge is a plastic box, 10.2 cm by 10.54 cm by 2.15 cm (4 in by 4.14 in by 0.85 in). There are ribbed, gripping surfaces on the top, bottom, left, and right sides of the case. There is a pronounced, tapered step at the left, rear corner. A triangular depression on top of the case points to the back, where the cartridge inserts into a drive or storage slot. A sliding, write-protection switch is on the front face on the far left, with an indentation for the cartridge label to its right. A sliding plastic door on the right side near the rear of the cartridge provides access to the leader pin, a dumbbell-shaped steel roller that lets the drive grip the end of the tape and wind it onto a take-up reel in the drive.

## Providing Diagnostic Cartridges

Diagnostic cartridges are specially labeled data cartridges that are used for testing library robotics and drives. You can purchase diagnostic cartridges or you can create them by applying an Oracle-supplied diagnostic label to any available, blank LTO tape.

Oracle recommends having a diagnostic tape on hand if at all possible. A diagnostic tape lets you efficiently calibrate library robotics before placing a new or expanded/reconfigured library into production. This saves time overall and smooths production deployments. You may also need a diagnostic tape for drive diagnostics.

## Handling Cartridges

Improper handling of cartridges can result in a loss of data or damage to library components. So observe the following, basic precautions when adding or removing cartridges from the library and when storing cartridges outside the library:

- Keep cartridges clean and free of dust and contaminants. Leave new cartridges in their protective wrapping until you are ready to use them.

- Do not expose cartridges to direct sunlight, heat, or moisture.

- Do not carry cartridges loosely in a container. Movable parts, such as leader doors and leader pins, can snag and be damaged by other cartridges.

- Do not drop or strike cartridges. Shocks can crack the case and bend or unseat the leader pin. Recording media and internal mechanical parts may be damaged.

- Take special care to protect cartridges from strong magnetic fields, such as those associated with bulk erasure (degaussing), computer monitors, electric motors, and loudspeakers. Magnetic fields can erase data and can make LTO cartridges unusable (blank LTO Ultrium media hold magnetically recorded signalling information that is required by LTO drives).

- Before you pick up a cartridge, make sure that the leader pin is latched. Never unlatch the leader pin or pull tape from the cartridge.

- Never open a cartridge, and never handle exposed tape.

- Use only standard LTO cartridge labels and apply them only in the specified area, adjacent to the read/write tab. Never affix anything to other parts of the cartridge case.

- Use the minimum necessary quantity of an isopropyl alcohol-based cleaning solution when removing labels or cleaning the outside of the cartridge cases. Do not let liquid contact tape media or penetrate the interior of the cartridge case.

- Do not use any other solvents to remove labels or to clean cartridges! Acetone, trichloroethane, toluene, xylene, benzene, ketone, methylethyl ketone, methylene chloride, ethyldichloride, esters, and ethyl acetate, among others, are known to damage the plastic used in cartridge cases.

## Labeling Cartridges

SL150 libraries identify individual storage volumes using ANSI standard, code 39 barcode labels that are attached to the front of the tape cartridge. The label carries both a human-readable, alphanumeric identifier and a corresponding, machine-readable barcode. If the library encounters a physical cartridge that lacks a label or if the label is damaged or in an incompatible format, the library assigns the label value [UNREADABLE] to the cartridge.

Standard LTO data-cartridges are labeled with a unique, customer-assigned, six-character volume ID, followed by a media ID field. For LTO-6 data cartridges, the media ID can be either L6 for read/write and diagnostic cartridges or LW for WORM cartridges. Corresponding LTO-5 media are identified by L5 and LV, LTO-4 by L4 and LU, and LTO-3 by L3 and LT. (If you need to configure the library for a non-standard labeling scheme, see Accommodating Non-Standard Label Formats.)

LTO cleaning and diagnostic cartridge labels include a three-character prefix—CLN or DG , respectively (the diagnostic prefix includes a trailing space)—followed by a sequence number and media descriptor. Diagnostic cartridges and drive-specific cleaning media use the same media descriptors as the corresponding data cartridges. So, for example a Gen-5 diagnostic cartridge would carry a label of the form DG xxx L5.

Universal cleaning cartridges that are suitable for all LTO generations are identified by a CLNU prefix, a sequence number, and the media descriptor CU: CLNU xx CU. Note that Oracle recommends using the generic CU media descriptor rather than other, vendor-specific variations.

### Apply Cartridge Labels

For each cartridge that requires a label, proceed as follows:

1. Make sure that the cartridge has been at room temperature for at least 24 hours.

2. Unwrap each new cartridge as you are ready to label it. Remove the wrapper using the string or pull tab provided for the purpose. Do not use letter openers, knives, box cutters, scissors, or other sharp instruments.

3. Clean the surface where the label will be placed using the smallest practical quantity of an isopropyl alcohol-based cleaning solution. Never use other solvents!

4. Locate the correct type of label (data, cleaning, or diagnostic).

5. Peel the backing from the label.

6. Hold the cartridge so that the write-protect switch is toward you.

7. Position the cartridge label with the bar-code characters at bottom (towards the hub side of the cartridge) and the alphanumeric characters at the top.

8. Carefully align the label with the slight indentation provided, and press the label into place. The label must not overlap the edges of this indentation!

9. Go to Inspecting Cartridges.

## Inspecting Cartridges

Broken or improperly labeled cartridges can damage library and drive hardware. So, before you load media into a library, carefully inspect each cartridge for defects.

### Inspect LTO Cartridges

1. Make sure that the cartridge is at operating temperature and free of condensation. If the cartridge appears to have been stored below operating temperature, stop. Before proceeding, leave the cartridge in its intended operating environment for 24 hours, so that temperature and humidity can equalize.

2. Make sure that the cartridge is properly labeled, as described in "Labeling Cartridges". Make sure that cartridge labels are firmly attached and correctly positioned within the indented labeling area. Relabel mislabeled cartridges before proceeding.

3. Hold the cartridge hub down, with the write-protect switch and the label facing you and the leader latch at right rear.

4. Make sure that the cartridge is an LTO Ultrium Gen-6, Gen-5, Gen-4, Gen-3, or universal-cleaning cartridge. The media type is shown in the last field of the label, adjacent to the write-protection switch at left: L6 or LW indicates Gen-6 media, L5 or LV indicates Gen-5, L4 or LU indicates Gen-4, L3 or LT indicates Gen-3, and CU indicates universal cleaning.

5. Make sure that the case is not cracked, split, or otherwise visibly damaged. If you note damage, do not use the cartridge!

6. On the right side of the cartridge near the rear, make sure that the spring-loaded leader door opens cleanly and snaps shut when released. If the door is damaged or does not open and close properly, do not use the cartridge!

7. Open the leader door, and make sure that the leader pin is straight, undamaged, and correctly positioned in its detents within the case. If the leader pin is damaged or out of position, do not use the cartridge!

8. Make sure that the write-protect switch can slide from side to side and snaps into position with a positive click. If the write-protect switch is broken or does not latch positively, do not use the cartridge!

9. Turn the cartridge over, and examine the plastic teeth and tabs that surround the metal hub. If any parts are broken or significantly worn, do not use the cartridge!

10. If you are loading cartridges during initial installation or, for any reason, need to load or unload cartridges in bulk, go to Loading and Unloading Magazines.

11. If you only need to load or remove a small number of cartridges, go to Loading and Unloading Individual Cartridges.

## Loading and Unloading Magazines

The StorageTek SL150 stores tape cartridges in detachable, 15-slot magazines that slide in and out of the front of the library, much like drawers. Each library module holds two of these magazines, one on the left side of the enclosure and one on the right. These magazines let you quickly and efficiently bulk-load cartridges.

If the library has been partitioned, be careful to keep cartridges that belong in one partition together, apart from cartridges owned by the other partition. A host application cannot access cartridges that are not in its partition, and applications may treat foreign cartridges as scratch volumes and accidentally overwrite valid data. So, before you load or unload a magazine, be sure that you know which partition and host owns it and which owns the cartridges that you add or remove.

If you reserved system slots for cleaning cartridges or diagnostic cartridges, be sure to place the desired type and number of cartridges in the reserved slots, found at library slot address 1, Left, 1, 1 and/or 1, Left, 2, 1 (library slot addresses take the form library-module, magazine, row, column, where rows are counted from the top down and columns are counted starting from the front of the library).

When loading cleaning cartridges, be aware that the library software considers any imported cleaning cartridge to be new and sets its usage counter to zero. So make sure that you do not load used cleaning cartridges that cannot be used for a full cycle of cleanings.

To bulk-load the library, carry out the tasks listed below:

- Unlatch the Magazine

- Load and/or Unload the Magazine

- Reinstall the Magazine and Engage the Latch

WARNING: Oracle's StorageTek SL150 Modular Tape Library contains a Class-1 laser, as defined by IEC 60825-1 Ed. 2 (2007). Use of controls or adjustments or performance of procedures other than those specified herein may result in hazardous radiation exposure.

### Unlatch the Magazine

For routine loading, unloading, and maintenance of SL150 magazines, always use the browser-based user interface, as described in the procedure below.

Caution: Do not manually override the automatic magazine latches except as directed by installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures or by Oracle service representatives.

1. Log in to the browser-based user interface using an account that fills the administrator or operator role.

2. Before proceeding further, take the library offline as described in "Take the Library Off Line".

3. From the menu on the left side of the user interface, select the Library screen.

4. Select the module that you intend to load.

5. Click on Right Magazine or Left Magazine, and select Unlatch from the context menu.

   Note that you can only unlatch one magazine at a time.

6. When the confirmation dialogue appears at the top of the screen, press OK to continue or Cancel to leave the magazine latched.

7. Press the Close button to dismiss the dialogue.

8. Using the handle on the front, draw the magazine out of the library module with one hand while supporting the body of the magazine with the other. If the magazine already contains tapes, be careful to hold it so that tape cartridges do not fall out of the slots.

9. Go to Load and/or Unload the Magazine.

### Load and/or Unload the Magazine

1. Place each magazine upright on a clean, level surface, where you have room to work and where cartridges will not be subjected to magnetic fields.

2. Pull each cartridge that you need to remove out of its slot in the magazine, and set the cartridge aside in a suitable storage container.

3. Place the cartridges that you will load into the magazine on your work surface, and carefully examine them for defects, temperature, and missing or misplaced labels, as described in "Inspecting Cartridges".

4. Insert each cartridge into a magazine slot with the cartridge hub down and the label and write-protect switch visible on the open side of the magazine. Push the cartridge into the slot until the plastic retention spring snaps into place.

5. When all desired cartridges have been installed in the magazine, go to Reinstall the Magazine and Engage the Latch.

### Reinstall the Magazine and Engage the Latch

1. Grasp the handle on the front of the magazine with one hand while supporting the magazine's weight with the other. Be careful to hold the magazine so that tapes do not fall out of the slots.

2. Carefully align the magazine with the correct magazine bay of the correct library module. Magazines are handed, so a right-side magazine will only fit in the right-side bay and a left-side magazine will only fit a left-side bay.

3. Gently push the magazine into the magazine bay until it latches into place with a noticeable click. The library will not use the magazine until the magazine is positively latched. Once the magazine is latched, the library automatically audits the contents.

   See "Auditing" for a full description of the process.

## Loading and Unloading Individual Cartridges

When you only need to add or remove one to four cartridges at a time, use the SL150 mailslot (also known as the cartridge access port or CAP).

To load or unload cartridges using the mailslot, carry out the following tasks:

- Assign the Mailslot to a Partition (if the library is partitioned)

- Move Cartridges into the Mailslot

- Empty and/or Load the Mailslot

- Import or Export Tape Cartridges.

### Assign the Mailslot to a Partition

Host applications must have exclusive control over the media that they use. So, if your library is partitioned for the use of two separate host applications, you must assign the mailslot to the partition that controls the media that you need to export or import. You may proceed in either of two ways, depending on where you are at the moment:

- Assign the Mailslot Using the Remote User Interface

- Assign the Mailslot Using the Local Operator Panel.

#### Assign the Mailslot Using the Remote User Interface

1. Log in to the browser-based user interface.

2. Select the Library screen from the menu on the left side of the interface.

3. In the graphical library map, click on the Mailslot icon and select Assign from the context menu.

4. When the Assign Mailslot to a Partition dialog appears, select a partition from the drop menu.

   Select either Partition 1 or Partition 2.

5. Press OK to assign the mailslot or Cancel to abort.

6. If you simply need to remove cartridges that the host application has already moved to the mailslot, go to Opening the Mailslot.

7. Otherwise, go to Move Cartridges into the Mailslot.

#### Assign the Mailslot Using the Local Operator Panel

1. On the Home screen, tap the Mailslot button.

   The Mailslot page appears. Buttons for assigning the mailslot to partitions are at upper right.

2. To assign the mailslot to partition 1, press the Assign to Partition 1 button.

3. To assign the mailslot to partition 2, press the Assign to Partition 2 button.

4. When the confirmation dialog appears, press OK to assign the mailslot to the selected partition or Cancel to return to the previous page without assigning the mailslot.

5. If you simply need to remove cartridges that the host application has already moved to the mailslot, go to Opening the Mailslot.

6. Otherwise, go to Move Cartridges into the Mailslot.

### Move Cartridges into the Mailslot

1. Log in to the browser-based user interface, if you have not already done so.

2. Select the Library screen from the menu on the left side of the interface.

3. In the graphical library map, click on the cartridge that you want to move.

4. When the context menu appears, select Move Tape. The Move Tape panel appears at the top of the screen. The Source field of the Move Tape panel displays the address of the cartridge that you selected.

5. In the graphical library map, click on an empty mailslot position. The Destination controls of the Move Tape panel display the address of the mailslot position that you selected.

6. In the Move Tape panel, press the OK button to perform the move or Cancel to abort.

7. When the Move Tape panel shows that the move is complete, press the OK button to close the panel.

8. Go to Opening the Mailslot.

### Opening the Mailslot

You can open the mailslot using either the remote user interface or the local operator panel.

#### Open the Mailslot from the Remote User Interface

1. Log in to the browser-based user interface, if you have not already done so.

2. Select the Library screen from the menu on the left side of the interface.

3. Click on the Mailslot label, and select Open from the context menu.

4. When the confirmation dialogue appears at the top of the page, press the OK button to open the mail slot or Cancel to leave it closed.

5. If you have opened the mailslot, go to Empty and/or Load the Mailslot.

#### Open the Mailslot from the Local Operator Panel

1. On the Home screen, tap the Mailslot button.

   The Mailslot page appears.

2. If you have partitioned the library and do not see an Open Mailslot button at upper right, you need to Assign the Mailslot Using the Local Operator Panel before proceeding further.

3. Press the Open Mailslot button.

4. If you have opened the mailslot, go to Empty and/or Load the Mailslot.

### Empty and/or Load the Mailslot

1. Draw the mailslot out of its bay at the upper right corner of the front of the base module.

2. Pull each cartridge that you need to remove out of the mailslot, and set the cartridge aside in a suitable storage container.

3. Place cartridges that you will load into the library on your work surface, and carefully examine them for defects, temperature, and missing or misplaced labels, as described in "Inspecting Cartridges".

4. If you need to import cartridges into the library, insert each one into one of the four mailslot positions. Make sure that the cartridge hub is down and the label and write-protect switch is visible on the open side of the mailslot. Push the cartridge in until the plastic retention spring snaps into place.

5. When all desired cartridges have been inserted, push the mailslot into the mailslot bay using a single, steady motion, so that it latches into place with a noticeable click.

   If you do not insert the mailslot smoothly, you may fail to engage the latch and may trigger needless, multiple re-audits of the mailslot. Note that the library will not be able to access mailslot positions until the mailslot is positively latched.

6. If you are an Operator, Service representative, or Administrator, go to Import or Export Tape Cartridges.

### Import or Export Tape Cartridges

1. When possible, you should move tape cartridges to and from the mailslot using host application interfaces. This insures a single, consistent view of the contents of the library with a minimum of auditing.

2. However, if you cannot import and export cartridges using your host application, you can Move Tape Cartridges Using the Browser-Based User Interface.

3. When you are finished with the mailslot, go to Unassigning the Mailslot from the Partition.

### Unassigning the Mailslot from the Partition

You should unassign the mailslot from a partition when you are finished with it so that the other partition can access it if necessary. You use either the remote, browser-based user interface or the local operator panel.

#### Unassign the Mailslot Using the Remote User Interface

1. Log in to the browser-based user interface.

2. Select the Library screen from the menu on the left side of the interface.

3. In the graphical library map, click on the Mailslot icon and select Unassign from the context menu.

4. When the Unassign Mailslot from a Partition dialog appears, press OK to unassign the mailslot or Cancel to abort.

#### Unassign the Mailslot Using the Local Operator Panel

1. On the Home screen, tap the Mailslot button.

   The Mailslot page appears.

2. Press the Unassign Mailslot button.

3. When the Unassign Mailslot from a Partition dialog appears, press OK to unassign the mailslot or Cancel to abort.

## Moving Tape Cartridges with the SL150 User Interface

Generally, the host backup or storage-management application should control all data cartridge movements. If you move cartridges with the browser-based user interface, you can cause inconsistencies in application catalogs and force time-consuming audits.

However, when circumstances require, an Operator, Service representative, or Administrator can proceed as follows:

### Move Tape Cartridges Using the Browser-Based User Interface

1. If you are not currently logged in, log in as an administrator or operator.

2. Select the Library screen from the screens menu on the left side of the interface.

3. In the graphical library map, click on one of the cartridges that you need to move.

4. When the context menu appears, select Move Tape. The Move Tape panel appears at the top of the screen. In the Source field, the address of the cartridge that you chose appears.

5. In the graphical library map, click on the desired destination cartridge slot (it must be empty). In the Destination controls on the Move Tape panel, the address of the cartridge slot that you chose appears.

6. In the Move Tape panel, press the OK button to perform the move or Cancel to abort.

7. When the Move Tape panel shows that the move is complete, press the OK button to close the panel.