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Handling Media: Dell™ PowerVault™ 136T SDLT Library User's Guide

	Inserting Media		Ejecting Media
	Handling Media		Processing Media
	Barcode Labels		Cleaning Drives

During the course of normal operations, it may become necessary to add or remove storage cartridges to or from the library. Two methods are available to insert or eject storage cartridges. For either method to work, the Mailbox must be unlocked. Unlocking the Mailbox can be accomplished by a PREVENT/ALLOW MEDIUM REMOVAL SCSI command that is issued by the host application software.

NOTE: SCSI commands such as Prevent/Allow Medium Removal and Move Medium are generally handled by the host application software.

Normally, the mailbox state is unlocked. Additional information is supplied in this chapter about processing media, safeguarding the media, and using cleaning media.

Inserting Media

Placing new media into the library is best accomplished by using the Mailbox. Or, the cartridge could be placed directly into a specific storage slot location by the Operator.

Mailbox

Using the Mailbox to insert cartridges does not disrupt library operations. To insert cartridges through the Mailbox, follow this procedure.

Step 1 Open the Mailbox door

Step 2 Insert the cartridge or magazine into an empty storage slot.

Step 3 Close the Mailbox.

• The library locks the Mailbox. The picker teaches and inventories. The library unlocks the Mailbox.

Step 4 Move the cartridge to the desired storage slot with the SCSI MOVE MEDIUM command that is issued by the host application software.

­ or ­

Issue the Import command from the Operator panel. See Import Screen.

• The library will request to go Offline. When the Import option is executed, the Mailbox is locked while the cartridges are moved to the first available empty slots by the picker. After the move completes, the Mailbox unlocks.

­ or ­

Issue the Move Media command from the Operator panel. See Move Media Dialog .

• The library will request to go Offline. After the Offline procedure is executed, see Online/Offline Selection, the cartridge can be moved to a specified storage slot location by the picker.

Step 5 If the Import or Move Media command was used, place the library in the Online state. See Online/Offline Selection.

Direct Insertion into the PowerVault 136T SDLT Library

There is one level of access control. It is a mechanical lock which is manipulated by a key.

To directly insert media, follow this procedure.

Step 1 Use the Operator panel to place the library into the Offline state. See Online/Offline Selection.

• The picker completes any current task.

Step 2 Using the key, unlock and open the library door.

Step 3 Place the cartridge or magazine into the desired storage slot.

Step 4 Close and lock the door.

• The library teaches and inventories.

Ejecting Media

Removing media from the library is best accomplished by using the Mailbox. Or, the cartridge could be directly removed from a specific storage slot location by the Operator.

Mailbox

Using the Mailbox to remove cartridges does not disrupt library operations. To remove cartridges through the Mailbox, follow this procedure.

Step 1 Issue a SCSI MOVE MEDIUM command from the host with the source storage element address and the destination Mailbox element address.

­ or ­

Execute the Export command from the Operator panel. See Export Dialog.

• The library will request to go Offline. When the Export option is executed, the Mailbox is locked while the cartridge is moved to the Mailbox by the picker. After the move completes, the Mailbox unlocks.

Step 2 Pull on the handle to open the Mailbox.

Step 3 Remove the cartridge from the storage slot.

Step 4 Close the Mailbox.

• The library executes the TEACH and INVENTORY procedures.

Step 5 If the Export option was used, place the library in the Online state. See Online/Offline Selection.

Direct Removal from the PowerVault 136T SDLT Library

There is one level of access control. It is a mechanical lock which is manipulated by the key.

To directly remove media, follow this procedure.

Step 1 Use the Operator panel to place the library into the Offline state. See Online/Offline Selection.

• The picker completes any current task.

Step 2 Using the key, unlock and open the library door.
Step 3 Remove the cartridge or magazine from the desired storage slot.
Step 4 Close and lock the door.

• The library executes the TEACH and INVENTORY procedures.
  

Handling Media

To ensure that the library conforms to Dell specifications for reliability, use the Dell supplied SDLT Data Cartridge. See Figure 1. Other SDLT certified media may be used, but it may not meet the standards of reliability established by Dell.

The data cartridges are housed in plastic cases and employ half-inch metal particle tape that has a native capacity of 110 GB and a compressed capacity of 220 GB (assuming average 2:1 compression). The SDLT/DLT tape cartridge is a 4-inch, plastic cartridge containing 1800 feet of 1/2 inch magnetic metal particle tape.

Table 1. DLT Media Compatibility

Figure 1. Tape Cartridge

Write-Protect Switch

Each tape cartridge has a write-protect switch. Before loading the tape cartridge, position the write-protect switch on the front of the cartridge as indicated.

If the switch is set to (closed), data cannot be written to the tape.

If the switch is set to (open), data can be written to the tape.

The write-protect switch is used to prevent recording over existing data. To prevent recording or deleting, set the write-protect switch to the closed position. The drive senses the position of the switch and will not allow writing in this position.

Preserving Cartridges

Whenever possible, store the SDLT Data Cartridge in the following room-environment conditions:

• Ideal temperature 20ºC, ±5ºC (68ºF, ±9ºF)
• Ideal humidity 50% (±20%)

Table 2. Environmental Specifications

Additionally:

• Do not drop or bang the cartridge. This can displace the tape leader, making the cartridge unusable and possibly damaging the drive.
• Keep tape cartridges out of direct sunlight and away from heaters and other heat sources.
• For longer cartridge life, always store the cartridge in its plastic container.
• Store tape cartridges in a dust free-environment.
• If the tape cartridge is exposed to heat or cold extremes, stabilize the cartridge at room temperature for the same amount of time it was exposed (up to 24 hours).
• Do not place a cartridge near electromagnetic interference sources, such as terminals, motors, and video or X-ray equipment.
• Place an identification label only in the slide-in slot on the front of the cartridge.
  

  NOTE: Do not adhere labels to a cartridge anywhere except in the slide-in slot.

Processing Media

Each tape cartridge in the PowerVault 136T SDLT Library must have an external label that is operator and machine readable to identify the volume serial number. The external label may contain up to thirteen characters for the volser. A volser can be characters of uppercase A-Z and numerics 0-9. The PowerVault 136T SDLT Library currently supports Code 39 labels. If there is a tape cartridge without an external label, the Touch on Init must be enabled. Refer to Config Dialog.

Barcode Labels

For customers who wish to print barcode labels, the individual media labels are supported if the labels meet the ANSI MH10.8M-1983 standard and other additional requirements. The requirements are:

ANSI MH10.8M-1983 Standard

• Number of digits: 6
• Background reflection: at least 25 percent
• Print contrast: at least 75 percent
• Ratio: at least 2.2
• Module: 250 mm
• Print tolerance: ± 57 mm

Additional Requirements

• Length of the rest zones: 5.25 mm ± 0.25 mm
• No black marks can be present in the intermediate spaces or rest zones
• No white areas may be present on the bars
• Bars should read in a uniform direction. Non-uniform reading directions are feasible in principle, but have a detrimental effect on performance.

Quality Testing

Compliance with these specifications can be checked and documented with the Ergilaser 3000 High Density bar code measuring device that is manufactured by the Laetus Company.

If barcode scanning labels are purchased, the individual media labels are supported if they are acquired from the sources listed in Table 3.

Table 3. Supported Barcode Labels

Barcode Label Restrictions

All labels are restricted to 13 or fewer character volsers.

Applying the Label

All barcode scanning labels are applied to the front of the cartridge. Extreme care should be taken to ensure that the barcode labels are never applied in an upside down fashion.

Cleaning Drives

The drive cleaning method is controlled by the host application software and applies to all drive types in the PowerVault 136T SDLT Library. Host application software controlled drive cleaning is the default condition.

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