The PowerVault 136T tape library automates the retrieval, storage, and control
of tape cartridges. It is designed for use in a standard office environment,
with a fully finished appearance, or as a rackmounted unit.
The library supports many different drive types and, depending on the type
of drive, can contain one to six drives. There is a Mailbox on the front door
for inserting and removing tapes. In addition, the Operator Panel on the front
of the library allows you to fully control and configure your library.
For specific information about your library, including data capacity, drive
transfer rates, and tape cartridge capacity, see Specifications.
Figure 1. PowerVault 136T Tape Library
Library Configurations
Your tape library supports the following tape drives:
SDLT type drives (SDLT-220, SDLT-320)
LTO type drives (LTO-1, LTO-2, LTO-3)
The drive type affects the tape cartridge and overall storage capacity. For
specific information about your library, see Specifications.
NOTE: The tape library
does not support mixing drives with different technology families in the
same library. This includes different models of the SDLT drive type. For
example, SDLT-220 drives cannot be mixed with SDLT-320 drives. (LTO-2 and
LTO-3 drives are from the same technology family, and can therefore coexist
in the same library.)
Front Panel Components
The following graphic shows the front panel components of the library. The
following text describes the components in detail.
Figure 2. Front Panel Components
Front Power Switch
There are two power switches on the library: the front power switch and the
rear power switch.
Turning off the front power switch removes power from the internal electronics
and removes power from the drives, but the library still contains standby power.
The standby power can only be turned off by the rear power switch. See Rear
Power Switch.
CAUTION:To completely remove all power, either use the rear power switch
or disconnect the power cord from the electrical source. Be sure to read
all safety instructions in your Product Information Guide before
operating this product.
Door Lock
The door lock protects your data from the risk of tampering and prevents unauthorized
personnel from entering the mechanical area of the library where serious injury
could occur.
When locked, the library door can only be opened from the outside with a key. Authorized personnel are responsible for the security of the key. When shipped, the front door is locked. The key is attached to the back panel of the library.
CAUTION:The mechanical components of the library can cause serious injury.
Access to the library should be restricted to authorized personnel only.
Be sure to read all safety instructions in your Product Information Guide
before operating this product.
Mailbox
The Mailbox allows you to import and export tape cartridges without interrupting
the normal operation of the library; however, it can also be configured as additional
storage slots.
There are two models of the Mailbox:
The standard Mailbox has a capacity of one tape cartridge.
The optional bulk load Mailbox enables you to load multiple tape cartridges
at one time.
The LTO bulk load Mailbox holds 12 tape cartridges (in two magazines)
The SDLT bulk load Mailbox holds 10 tape cartridges (in two magazines)
Operator Panel
The Operator Panel is an LCD screen that enables you to monitor, configure,
and service your library. For detailed information on the Operator Panel, see
Using the Operator Panel.
Back Panel Components
The following graphic shows the back panel components of the library. Where
appropriate, following the graphic, the components are described in detail.
Figure 3. Back Panel Components
Library Controller
The Library Controller controls all operations in the library, including the
interaction between the library and operators. The library firmware on the Library
Controller creates and maintains the library configuration, the physical location
of the robotic system, and the inventory of cartridges. The resulting database
is maintained in Library Controller memory.
Rear Power Switch
Turning off the rear power switch removes all power from the library. Turn
off the rear power switch whenever you are servicing your library. In the event
of danger to personnel or property, immediately turn off the rear power switch.
However, except in emergencies, use the normal shutdown procedure before switching
off the rear power switch. Dell is not responsible for damage caused by improper
use of the rear power switch. This risk lies entirely with the user.
Remote Management Unit
The Remote Management Unit (RMU) allows remote access to the library via a web browser. The RMU resides in each system and is pre-installed at the factory.
The RMU performs the following functions:
Provides remote operation of all library Operator Panel functions via a
Web browser.
Allows the user to check the status of the system, firmware levels, and
other useful information.
Updates RMU, drive, and Library Controller firmware.
Acquires Tape Alert 3.0 information from the library for the library and
drives over the serial interface port and sends that information to an SNMP
server.
Supports Library Management Information Base (MIB) version 2.0.
Detects a power loss and generates an SNMP trap for notification.
Enables the retrieval of library logs and library, drive, and RMU diagnostic
files.
Allows RMU configuration changes such as network, users, and date/time
changes.
The Storage Networking Controller (SNC) is an optional component of the your
tape library. It provides fibre channel to SCSI connectivity. To learn more
about the SNC, refer to the PowerVault 136T Storage Networking Controller User's
Guide on the User's Guide and Drivers CD for your library.
Drive Sleds and Filler Plates
A drive sled is the component that holds the drive and the SCSI connections
between the drive and the library. Filler plates cover empty drive slots to
prevent debris from entering the library.
Internal Components
The robotic system and magazines are the key internal components of the library.
Robotic System and Barcode Scanner
The robotic system identifies and moves cartridges between the storage slots, tape drives, and the Mailbox. The robotic arm has picker fingers that enable it to grab media cartridges and move them into position along X, Y, and Z motion coordinates.
Each tape cartridge contains a barcode that is read by the barcode scanner during the inventory process. The barcode scanner is also used during the teaching process where it reads the fiducial labels to identify the types of storage and tape drives installed in the library.
Every tape cartridge must have a machine and operator-readable barcode label attached to it. This barcode identifies the volume serial number (volser). The library stores the physical location of the tape cartridge in an inventory database based on the volser. All library or host requests reference the location of tape cartridges based off of this barcode number.
Tape Magazines
Tape cartridges are stored in removable magazines in the library. You cannot insert cartridges improperly. The magazines only accept tape cartridges placed the correct orientation. Once inserted, the tape cartridges will be retained in the magazine even when the magazine is inverted and shaken lightly.
Each magazine has a fiducial barcode label at the bottom of the magazine. This label is read by the barcode scanner during a teach process.
Slot Numbering
Every slot in the library has a distinct number that identifies it. The format is: column/magazine/slot.
The values are assigned as follows:
The columns are numbered 1 to 5 clockwise from the Mailbox
column.
The magazines within each column are designated A to C from top to bottom.
The slots are numbered as follows:
The slots within each magazine are numbered 1 to N from top to bottom (where N is the number of tape cartridges allowed for that media type).
The fixed slots in columns 2, 4, and 5 that do not have a magazine designation are always numbered 0. For example, the coordinate for the fixed slot in column 2 would be "2 - 0".
NOTE: For reference, the location for the picker
is identified as [0 @ 0] on the Operator Panel.
Figure 4. Slot Numbering
Drive Sled Numbering
The drive sleds are numbered 1 to 6 from bottom to top.
SCSI Connections
This tape library is a SCSI target device and must be connected to a Single
Ended/Low Voltage Differential SCSI bus. Both ends of the bus must be terminated.
A terminator is shipped with each library.
Although the library can be attached to a wide SCSI bus, it is not a wide SCSI
device and its SCSI ID must be in the range of 0 to 7. The default SCSI ID for
the library is 0.
The library can also be connected to a Fibre Channel Host Storage Area Network
(SAN) by means of the PowerVault 136T Storage Networking Controller (SNC). The
SNC translates the SCSI protocol between the two media types.
