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NOTE: A partial availability state is most commonly an indication of a configuration issue and does not necessarily indicate a hardware failure. |
The center icon button on the Home screen is a shortcut to the Library Status menu and partial availability information. This icon, as well as the icon on the status bar, shows a reverse video reminder (icon background reverses to black) when the library’s partial availability status changes. You may clear this reminder by viewing the Library Status screen.
To view more information about the partial availability error, you can access the log by following this menu path:
Main Menu -> Information -> Library Information -> Library Status
The partial availability state is caused by one of the conditions listed below. The condition will be displayed on the library front panel or the RMC Web-Based Library Administrator pages.
Table 1. Partial Availability Conditions
| Library Status | Cause | Solution |
| Date and time not set | The date and time are not set on the front panel |
Set the date and time. |
| Drive(s) not present |
The library could not detect all the expected drive modules.
|
If a drive is present in the library:
|
| Drive(s) off-line |
Drive(s) taken off-line because of the following:
|
|
| Drive(s) online pending | Drive(s) are present and powered up, but have outdated firmware. | Update drive firmware. (See "Upgrading Firmware.") |
| Drive firmware mismatch | Drives are present and powered up, but have different revisions of firmware. | Update drive firmware. (See "Upgrading Firmware.") |
| Drive(s) needs cleaning | One of more drives need to be cleaned. | Clean the drive(s). (See "Cleaning a Drive.") |
| Drive(s) critical error | A critical error has occurred on a drive. |
|
| Drive(s) not on Fibre Channel | Drive(s) are detected by library controller, but are not detected by any of the Fibre Channel controllers. |
|
| Firmware update needed | A library component has firmware that is different from the rest of the library. | Update library firmware. (See "Upgrading Firmware.") |
| Library fan failure | A library card cage fan has failed. |
|
| Magazine(s) missing | Library could not detect all the magazines. |
|
| Door(s) open | One or more tape doors are open. The library robotics will not move until the door is closed. | Ensure that doors are closed. |
| Incompatible magazine(s) | The magazine is incompatible with the drive type. | Ensure that you use the correct magazine for your drive type. Refer to the Dell PowerVault 128T Tape Library Drive Manual - HP Ultrium for more information. |
| Mailslot open | Mailslot door is open. The library robotics will not more until the mailslot is closed. | Ensure that the mailslot door is closed. |
| RMC not present | Library could not detect the remote management card. |
|
| Front panel not present | Library could not detect the front panel display |
|
| Remote management card failed | Remote management card failed power-up test. |
|
| Front panel failed | Front panel display failed power-up test. |
|
| Fibre Channel controller failed | Fibre Channel controller failed power-up test. (Usually due to problems on the SCSI bus, such as an LVDS drive or terminator on an HVDS bus, etc.) |
|
Hard (Unrecovered) Errors
|
SERVICE NOTE: The hard error codes are described on the front panel and can be found in "Error Code and Qualifier Reference." |
When a hard error occurs, the front panel will display an error message that indicates the problem, and the LED bar will be flashing amber. You cannot operate the library until this error is resolved.
|
NOTE: This information can also be found in the latest entry of the hard error log. |
View the hard error log to see the sequence of error events and more information on resolving the error condition. To view this log, access the following menu path from the front panel or press the center icon button.
Main Menu -> Information -> Library Information -> Hard Error Log
|
NOTE: The date and time stamp will help you resolve errors. When you review the error log, select [Older] to view error history and [Newer] to see more recent errors. |
Use the following steps to resolve the problem:
- From the screen with the initial error message or from the Hard Error
Log, select [More] to retrieve
more information about the error, which could include the following:
- Time stamp or error event
- Error code number
- Library component that potentially caused the problem
- Error code description
- Recovery suggestions
- Error code qualifier that provides more information on the type of error (see "Error Code and Qualifier Reference.")
- Sequence numbers, which are used for factory diagnostic
- Record all information from this screen for later reference.
- Select [More]. Record the list of recommendations on this and any subsequent screens. To retrieve this information after you exit, view the latest entry in the hard error log.
- Perform the recommendations in the order presented. Continue with each successive recommendation until the problem is isolated.
- If the problem persists after implementing all of the recommendations presented on the front panel display, contact your service representative.
- For Service Personnel: Select [More]. Note any FRUs listed.
|
SERVICE NOTE: When a failing assembly causes an error, up to three FRUs can be listed for possible replacement. The FRU replacement list, error code qualifiers, diagnostic tests, and sequence numbers should be used together to identify the problems. Use the FRU Replacement list only as a guide. The first FRU listed in most likely the FRU causing the error. Replace a subsequent FRU only after the first has been tested. If replacing the second or third FRU repairs the problem, test to establish that previously replaced FRUs were faulty. Return the FRUs that are not needed. |
Clearing the Failed State
The status bar on the front panel display shows a reverse video reminder (icon background reverses to black) of the drive or library fault that caused the log entry. You may clear this reminder by viewing either the Library Hard Error Log or Drive Log screens by selecting the center icon button on the Home screen.
The library’s reverse video reminder will also be set if the library’s partial availability status changes. (See “Partial Availability State.”) You can clear this reminder by viewing the Library Status screen.
When the library records a hard error, the library status icon in the front panel display is set to Failed. This state can be cleared (to either Healthy or Partly Available) by one of the following:
- Running the Recalibrate Library test
- Running the Clear Hard Log - Only available through the Service
menu
SERVICE NOTE: The Clear Hard Log function clears the error log and is only available from the Service menu. Ensure that you have recorded information from the error log before running this test.
- Power cycling the library
Host Software and Media Errors
The library depends on several other components to operate correctly. Errors that you believe are caused by the library often are a result of errors on the host, the network, or with the backup software. When troubleshooting the library, begin ruling out these components.
Use the following troubleshooting procedures to help determine if an error is caused by the library hardware, host, or backup software. Use the remote management card for troubleshooting media errors (see “Using the Remote Management Card”).
Figure 4. Host Software and Media Errors
Backup Software Errors: Service Personnel
Your software applications may need to be reconfigured or, in some cases, reinstalled
after you have installed additional drives or slots into the library. In addition,
some backup software applications may require the purchase of additional add-on
components and/or licenses when increasing the number of storage slots or drives.
Contact your software application provider for more information or if newly installed storage slots and drives are not recognized by your backup software application.
While the library itself is support by the library vendor, all software products are supported by individual software vendors. When contacting the software vendor, you will need the following information:
- Name and telephone number
- Product name, release number, operating system, build, and serial number
- Detailed list of error messages reported
- Configuration and log files related to the problem
- Screen dumps, if applicable
- Explanation of how to reproduce the problem, if possible
- Events that may have contributed to the problem, including the following:
- Recent operator actions
- Recent events in the software or the system
- Recent changes to the computer system, software or network environment
The software applications may need to be reconfigured or, in some cases, reinstalled after you have installed additional drives or slots into the library. In addition, some backup software applications may require the purchase of additional add-on components and/or licenses when increasing the number of storage slots or drives. Contact the software application provider for more information or if newly installed storage slots and drives are not recognized by the backup software application.
Drive Media Errors: Service Personnel
Most software errors are going to be read, write, and verify type errors. Since the library does not display a front-panel indication of these types of errors, the first indication an end user will notice is problems reading, writing, or verifying media through the software. These errors can be caused by damaged media or drives, so it is important to be able to determine which media and/or drives are having the problems.
The easiest way to evaluate the scope of the problem is using the drive/media log in the remote management card or library. This log records the last 100 drive/media events, including tape alert events and read, write, and verify errors. This log also lists the drive and tapes that were involved in the event. Drives are identified by drive number and tapes are identified by bar code number or from the slot location.
Table 2. Drive and Media Problems
| Drives and/or Media with Problems | Probably Cause |
| Any tape and one drive | Drive might have an error. |
| One tape and more than one drive |
Tape is damaged. |
| Several Tapes and one drive |
Error on drive, unqualified or unsupported media, or old media. Check media brand and type, as well as the drive error log. |
| Several tapes and more than one drive | Unqualified or unsupported media. Check media brand and type, as well as the drive error log. |
| All tapes and all drives | Unknown. This will likely require joint troubleshooting with the ISV. |
Interpreting Library LEDs
LEDs communicate status and errors as they are occurring. Use the library LEDs to determine the state of the library.
All library cards and drive modules contain LEDs. In general, a yellow LED comes on during power up and changes to green when power up is successful. This may take a few minutes on some library cards.
The LED bar beneath the front panel display indicates library activity.
Figure 5. Front Panel LEDs
| Green | Library is ready and idle. |  |
| Flashing Green | Library or drive is active. | |
| Amber | Library is partially available and idle. | |
| Flashing Amber | Library failed |
|
NOTE: Figure 5 below shows the back view of the library. Detailed LED illustrations follow. |
Figure 6. Back View of the 128T Tape Library
| 1 | Vacant Slot |  |
| 2 | Remote Management Card | |
| 3 | Library Controller Card | |
| 4 | Fibre Channel Controller |
Figure 7. Remote Management Card LEDs
| 1) Ready LED |  |
|
| Color | Description | |
| Yellow | Powering up, failed power-on test, or fatal error was detected during operation. | |
| Green | Card passed power-on test. Card ready. | |
| 2) Link LED | ||
| Color | Description | |
| Green | Indicates valid network connection. | |
| 3) Activity LED | ||
| Color | Description | |
| Flashing Green | Indicates transmission activity by the card's Ethernet port. | |
Figure 8. LVDS Library Controller Card LEDs
| 1) Controller LED |  |
|
| Color | Description | |
| Flashing Green | Controller needs firmware. | |
| Yellow | In the process of powering up. | |
| Flashing Yellow | Controller failed power-on test. | |
| Green | Controller passed power-on test. | |
| 2) SCSI LED | ||
| Color | Description | |
| Green | No bus connected or low-voltage differential SCSI bus connected. | |
| Flashing Green | Single-ended SCSI bus attached. SCSI performance reduced. | |
| Yellow | High-voltage differential SCSI bus connected. Error. | |
Figure 9. Fibre Channel Controller LEDs
| 1) Activity LED |  |
|
| Color | Description | |
| Flashing Green | Indicates transmission activity by the Fibre Channel controller. | |
| 2) Link LED | ||
| Color | Description | |
| Green | Indicates valid Fibre Channel connection. | |
| Yellow | Fibre Channel controller is being reset. | |
| Off | Fibre Channel is not connected. | |
| 3) Ready LED | ||
| Color | Description | |
| Yellow | Fibre Channel controller is being reset, failed power-on test, or a fatal error was detected during operation. | |
| Green | Fibre Channel controller passed power-on test. Controller is ready. | |
| Flashing Green | One SCSI port is faulty. | |
| 4 (bus 1) & 5 (bus 2) SCSI Bus LEDs | ||
| Color | Description | |
| Green | SCSI bus is operational. | |
| Yellow | SCSI bus is not operational, or is partially available. | |
| Flashing Green | Indicates transmission activity by the SCSI bus. | |
Figure 10. Drive Module LEDs
| 1) Yellow | 2) Green | Description |  |
| Off | On | Drive is online and available. | |
| Flashing | Off | Drive is off-line and may be replaced. | |
| On | Flashing | Drive is being brought online. | |
| Flashing | On | Drive is off-line Internal communication has been lost. | |
| On | On | Drive module controller is in reset. | |
| On | Off | Power-on test in progress. | |
| Flashes | Off | Drive module failed power-on test. |
Table 3. Transport (the Picker is a component of the Transport Assembly) Voltage LEDs (See (1) in Figure 11. for LED locations)
| Green | Yellow | Red | Description |
| Off | Off | Off | No voltage present. |
| On | Off | Off | At least 11.2 volts present. |
| On | On | Off | At least 10.5 volts present. |
| On | On | On | Less than 10.5 volts present. |
Figure 11. Transport (the Picker is a component of the Transport Assembly) (See (2) for LED locations)
| Green | Yellow | Description |  |
| Off | On | Powered up, waiting for initial communication. | |
| On | Off | Powered up, initial communication good. | |
| Flashing | Off | Bar-code scan in process. | |
| Off | Flashing | Picker controller failed power-on test. | |
| On | On | Transport controller is in boot mode. |
Troubleshooting Common Problems
This section includes information on troubleshooting common library problems. For problems that may be related to the host or application software, refer to the host system documentation, and the application software instructions. If these procedures fail, contact your service representative for further assistance.
 |
CAUTION: Consult the system administrator before cycling power. Never cycle power when active devices are connected to the SCSI bus or Fibre Channel bus. Cycling power when the SCSI bus or Fibre Channel bus is active can cause data loss or hang the host system. |
Table 4. Troubleshooting Table
| Problem | Solution |
| Power | |
| Library will not power on. |
|
| Power-on test failed. An error message appears in the front panel display. |
|
| The library's power failed while a tape was in the drive and did not return to the ready state after the power came on. |
|
| No display messages appear. |
|
| Tape Movement | |
| An error message appears after inserting the magazine or loading tapes. |
|
| Tape stuck in drive. |
|
| Cannot load tape into the drive. |
Ensure the tape type matches the drive type. |
| Tape stuck in transport. |
|
| Tape stuck in storage slot. |
|
|
Transport is misaligned. Transport won't get a tape. Tape/drive/transport is misaligned. |
|
| Media | |
| Cleaning or data cartridge incompatible with drive. | Ensure you are using cleaning and data cartridges that are compatible with the drive(s). (Refer to the Dell PowerVault 128T Tape Library Drive Manual - HP Ultrium for more information.) |
| Ultrium Cartridge Memory Issues | |
| A new data cartridge that is write-enabled is rejected by the drive. | Replace the data cartridge. |
| A new data cartridge that is write-protected is rejected by multiple known good drives. | Replace the data cartridge. |
| A cartridge that has data written to it and is write-enabled is rejected by the drive. | The cartridge memory has faired or is damaged. Write protect the tape, recover the data from the cartridge, and replace the cartridge. |
| Connections | |
| Changed drive SCSI ID, but the new ID is not recognized by the host computer. |
|
| Host does not detect the library. |
|
| Network Monitoring | |
| The RMC Web-Based Library Administrator interface is slow in updating the web pages or does not display clearly. |
|
| Cannot navigate through the RMC Web-Based Library Administrator interface. | Do not use the [Back] or [Forward] buttons on the browser to navigate. Instead, use the tabs and buttons on the actual interface page. |
| Library Performance | |
| HP-UX host responds slowly or crashes after connecting to the library. |
|
| The library is not efficiently backing up data. |
|
| Operations | |
| Cannot remember the administration menu password. | Contact your service representative. |
| Need to abort internal test cycle. | Press [STOP]. The current test loop completes, then the test stops. It may take a few minutes to stop the current test loop. |
| Cannot write to the tape. |
|
| Cleaning | |
| A new data cartridge is used and the clean drive icon is displayed. |
|
| Recurring cleaning message. |
|
| Cannot load the cleaning cartridge. |
|
| Front Panel Display | |
| Front panel display does not work. |
|
| The soft keys on the front panel display do not work. |
|
| Lost the keys for the front panel doors and the doors need to be locked. | Replace the front panel door(s). The key is shipped with the door FRU. |
| Firmware: For qualified service personnel only | |
|
Cannot download firmware through the remote management card.
The download will take several minutes to complete. Do not abort the download while it is in process. The hash marks will indicate the download status, except the first 40 seconds when no status can be indicated. If the FTP download fails, the FTP client almost always reports "Error in Input File." This message is part of the FTP protocol and not the file itself. Try the [put] command again. |
|
For Service Personnel
Troubleshooting Without the Front Panel or RMC Web-Based Library Administrator
This section includes information on the following:
- Main diagnostics
- LED diagnostics
- Electronic diagnostics
- Power diagnostics
- Fuse
Use the diagnostics trees on the following pages when the following library interfaces are unavailable: the library front panel, the remote management card, or the SCSI interface. It is very rare that these diagnostic trees will be necessary. The product has several means of self-diagnostics and reporting errors. Exhaust all of those options before proceeding.
If it is necessary to diagnose without the library interfaces, consider the following:
- When using the diagnostic trees on the following pages, start at the beginning each time a change is made that alters how the fault presents itself. If a change has been made, but the unit still has the same fault, proceed to the next section indicated in the diagnostics tree.
- Verify, if possible, that the latest code is in the library before proceeding with any parts replacement. (See "Upgrading Firmware.")
- Use the instructions in "Removal and Replacement" to guide you on parts replacement.
- Take all standard electrostatic precautions for parts replacement.
- Power off the library before removing or adding electrical components.
- When replacing cards, transport assemblies, or drive modules, always download the latest firmware to the library (see "Upgrading Firmware").
- Remember that the tape doors may be key locked. Unlock the doors when diagnosing a problem related to the solenoid.
- Verify that all cards are in the appropriate slots.
- If a library controller has been replaced in the diagnostic process, ensure it was the faulty part. If not, replace the original library controller so that the customer's configuration remains intact.
- If you replace a component during the diagnostic process, and it is determined not to be at fault, ensure that you replace the original component back into the library.
Figure 12. Main Diagnostic Tree
|
NOTE: If you replace a component during the diagnostic process, and it is determined not to be at fault, ensure that you replace the original component back into the library. |
Figure 13. LED Diagnostic Tree
Figure 14. Electronic Diagnostic Tree
For Service Personnel
Power Diagnostics
Diagnosing power distribution problems within the library can be complicated. The following steps describe the best approach to resolving most power-related problems, and assume that you have tried correcting the problem through the following library diagnostics:
- Verify that all power cords are connected to the library and power outlet, and that the outlet has adequate power.
- Verify that the library has been turned on from the standby switch, and that it does not appear to be at fault. The front standby switch should have a definite snap as it is rocked to the ON and STANDBY positions.
- If the power supply fan does not move, even slightly, when the standby switch
is moved to the ON position:
- Replace the power supply.
- If this does not resolve the problem, replace the standby switch assembly.
- If this does not resolve the problem, replace the mother board.
- If the power supply fan moves slightly, and then stops, the power supply
is detecting a condition causing it to shut down. The most likely condition
is a short within that level of the library:
- Remove all cards and the drive module.
- Disconnect the umbilical cable going from the mother board to the translate frame assembly.
- If the power supply fan now spins when powered on, begin adding the cards, drive module and umbilical cable back into the library until a component prevents the power supply from coming up.
- Replace the suspected component.
- If after removing cards, drive module and the umbilical cable, the power supply still does not power up, then detach the front panel cable at the mother board and the solenoid/sensor cable assemblies on the power supply side.
- If the power supply still does not power up, disconnect the solenoid on the non-power supply side at the mid-cable connector. Do not disconnect the cable assembly from the mother board as this will also disconnect the power switch. If this resolves the problem, replace that solenoid assembly.
- If the power supply still does not power up, replace the mother board. Otherwise, reattach the cables until the one which causes the failure is found, and replace that cable.
|
NOTE: If you replace a component during the diagnostic process and it is determined not to be at fault, ensure that you replace the original component back into the library. |
For Service Personnel
Fuse Diagnostics
There are many fuses in the library, none of which are field-replaceable. Most of the fuses on the card cage boards will only open if there is a problem on that board. Therefore, if the fuse is blown, replacing the entire card will resolve the problem. There are a few notable exceptions to this, as listed below.
Fuse exceptions:
- The library controller contains 12V drivers for the tape door and mailslot
solenoids. The board powers up with a green LED even if the 12V fuse is open
because all logic operates on 5V. If a solenoid fails in a shorted mode, or
if the solenoid cable has been damaged and has come into contact with the
chassis, the 12V fuse will open on the board. Replacing the library controller
will open the 12V fuse on the new board as well.
- Do not continue to replace boards without trying to locate the problem. Check to see if all solenoids are working. Do this by listening for the solenoids to close and try opening the drawers after power up. Remember to make sure that the drawers are not key locked and can be opened when the library is powered off. If both solenoids do not activate, suspect the fuse of being open and replace both solenoid and sensor cable assemblies and then replace the board.
- If only one solenoid is operating, the fuse is intact. Only replace the failing solenoid cable assembly.
- The front panel is fused both on the library controller and the front panel.
- If the short is on the front panel board, replacing the front panel assembly will fix the problem.
- If the problem is a short elsewhere, a fuse on the library controller will open. The power for the front panel comes from the library controller, into the mother board, and then into the front panel cable.
- If the front panel power is shorted to ground on any of the mother boards, the fuse on the library controller will open. If any of the front panel cables from the mother board to the front of the library has power shorted to ground, the fuse on the library controller will open. The library controller will continue to operate normally and not detect these failures. The front panel cable is very difficult to replace, and every effort should be made to determine that the problem is not with another assembly.
|
NOTE: Because the library controller must be replace each time a change is made that does not resolve the short, it may be necessary to replace multiple library controllers before resolving the shorting problem. |
Obtaining Drivers and Firmware Upgrades
Please visit http://support.dell.com for Operating System and Independent Software Vendor drivers and firmware upgrades.
Getting Help
If the troubleshooting procedures in this document do not resolve the problem, please contact Dell Computer Corporation for technical assistance (refer to the “Getting Help” section in your Dell system documentation). For information about your Dell warranty, see your system documentation.