| Sun StorEdge SAM-FS Storage and Archive Management Guide |    
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| Sun StorEdge SAM-FS Storage and Archive Management Guide |
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| C H A P T E R 2 |
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Using Automated Libraries and Manually Loaded Drives in a Sun StorEdge SAM-FS Environment |
An automated library is a robotically controlled device designed to load and unload removable cartridges without operator intervention. Cartridges are imported to and exported from the library. They are loaded and unloaded automatically. The archiving and staging processes use a site-defined scheme for allocating the number of drives to use. Automated libraries are also known as media changers, jukeboxes, robots, libraries, or media libraries.
The following sections describe aspects of using libraries in a Sun StorEdge SAM-FS environment. The Sun StorEdge QFS and Sun StorEdge SAM-FS Software Installation and Configuration Guide provides initial configuration instructions, and this chapter provides operational instructions for automated libraries and manually loaded drives. In addition, this chapter describes the operator-oriented load notification facility that alerts an operator when a requested volume is not in a library.
Some automated libraries have features that cause certain operations to differ from the ones described in this chapter. To determine whether your automated library has additional, vendor-specific operating instructions when used in a Sun StorEdge SAM-FS environment, check Basic Operations for Libraries With Vendor-Specific Operational Procedures.
This chapter contains the following topics:
The procedures for performing the basic operations described in this chapter typically show how to use the samcmd(1M) command, the samu(1M) operator utility, and the following commands:
In many cases, however, there is more than one way to perform the task described. You can perform many of these tasks from within SAM-QFS Manager, which is the web-based the graphical user interface (GUI) to the Sun StorEdge QFS and Sun StorEdge SAM-FS software. You can use this interface to configure, control, monitor, and reconfigure the components of your Sun StorEdge QFS and Sun StorEdge SAM-FS environment. For information on installing SAM-QFS Manager, see the Sun StorEdge QFS and Sun StorEdge SAM-FS Software Installation and Configuration Guide. For information on using the SAM-QFS Manager, see its online help.
Many of the commands accept a common set of arguments. TABLE 2-1 shows these arguments.
Some commands accept various combinations of arguments depending on your circumstances. For example, from the samu(1M) operator utility, the load command has the following two formats:
Certain terms used throughout this chapter might be new to you. TABLE 2-2 shows some of the most commonly used terms and their meanings.
Several basic operations are essentially the same on all automated libraries. The following basic operations are explained in this section:
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It is possible to stop removable media operations and leave the Sun StorEdge SAM-FS system mounted. You might do this, for example, if you want to manually manipulate cartridges in a library. When operations are resumed, pending stages are reissued and archiving is resumed.
To stop removable media operations, use the samcmd(1M) idle and samd(1M) stop commands.
Use these commands in the following formats:
For eq, enter the Equipment Ordinal of the equipment being addressed as defined in the mcf file. To idle the drives, enter a samcmd idle eq command for each eq configured in your mcf file.
You can also idle the drives by using the samu(1M) operator utility or by using SAM-QFS Manager.
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Typically, removable media operations commence when a Sun StorEdge SAM-FS file system is mounted.
To start removable media operations manually, without mounting any file systems, enter the samd(1M) start command.
Use this command in the following format:
If removable media operations are already running when the preceding command is entered, the following message is generated:
For more information about the samd(1M) command, see the samd(1M) man page.
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When a library is in the on state, it is under the control of the Sun StorEdge SAM-FS system and can proceed with general operations. When you turn on a library, the Sun StorEdge SAM-FS software performs the following actions:
Use the samcmd(1M) on command to turn on an automated library.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the automated library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
You can also perform this task by using samu(1M) or SAM-QFS Manager.
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Placing a library in the off state stops I/O operations and removes the automated library from Sun StorEdge SAM-FS control. No automatic movement of cartridges occurs. Note that the drives in the automated library remain in the on state. You might want to turn an automated library off to perform the following tasks:
Use the samcmd(1M) off command to turn off an automated library.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the automated library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
You can also perform this task by using samu(1M) or SAM-QFS Manager.
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Loading a cartridge into a drive occurs automatically when a VSN is requested for archiving or staging. Loading refers to moving a cartridge from a storage slot to a drive and making it ready.
Use the samcmd(1M) load command to manually load a cartridge.
You can use this command even if the drive is in unavail status. This command has the following two possible formats:
You can also perform this task by using samu(1M) or SAM-QFS Manager.
When you manually load a cartridge, it is generally loaded in the next available drive in the library. If you want to make a drive unavailable for this purpose, use the samu(1M) utility's :unavail command or change the state of the device using SAM-QFS Manager. You might do this, for example, during a disaster recovery operation or to analyze a tape.
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Unloading a cartridge occurs automatically when a volume is no longer needed. You can also manually unload a drive. Unloading refers to removing a cartridge from a drive.
Use the samcmd(1M) unload command to manually load a cartridge.
This command can be used even if the drive is in unavail status. Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the automated library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
You can also perform this task by using samu(1M) or SAM-QFS Manager.
The procedure for labeling a cartridge differs depending on whether you are labeling a tape or optical cartridge. The following two sections describe these procedures.
The following tplabel(1M) command line format shows the options most commonly used when labeling or relabeling a tape:
To label a new tape, use the tplabel(1M) command.
Use this command in the following format:
To relabel an existing tape, use the tplabel(1M) command.
Use this command in the following format:
After issuing the command to label or relabel a tape, the tape is loaded and positioned, and the tape label is written. For more information about the tplabel(1M) command, see the tplabel(1M) man page.
You can also perform this task by using SAM-QFS Manager.
The following odlabel(1M) command line format shows the options most commonly used when labeling or relabeling an optical disk:
To label a new optical disk, use the odlabel(1M) command.
Use this command in the following format:
To relabel an existing optical disk, use the odlabel(1M) command.
Use this command in the following format:
After issuing the command to label or relabel an optical disk, the optical disk is loaded and positioned, and the optical disk label is written. For more information about the odlabel(1M) command, see the odlabel(1M) man page.
You can also perform this task by using SAM-QFS Manager.
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Occasionally the reported space remaining on a tape or optical cartridge might need to be updated in the library catalog. The auditslot(1M) command loads the cartridge containing the volume, reads the label, and updates the library catalog entry for the slot.
Use the auditslot(1M) command to audit a volume.
Use this command in the following format:
For more information about the auditslot(1M) command, see the auditslot(1M) man page.
You can also perform this task by using the samu(1M) utility's :audit command or by using SAM-QFS Manager.
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Note - This task cannot be performed on a network-attached automated library. |
A full audit loads each cartridge into a drive, reads the label, and updates the library catalog. A library should be audited in the following situations:
Use the samcmd(1M) audit command to perform a full audit on an automated library.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the automated library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
You can also perform this task by using the samu(1M) utility's :audit command or by using SAM-QFS Manager.
The Sun StorEdge SAM-FS systems allow you to import a cleaning cartridge to clean tape drives. This procedure differs depending on whether or not the cleaning cartridge is barcoded. The following sections explain various aspects of using a cleaning cartridge.
Cleaning practices differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you are having trouble with this, see Basic Operations for Libraries With Vendor-Specific Operational Procedures to determine if specialized procedures are recommended for your equipment.
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Note - This task cannot be performed on a network-attached automated library. |
Cleaning tapes are useful only for a limited number of cleaning cycles. You can view the number of remaining cycles with the samu(1M) utility's :v display or from within SAM-QFS Manager.
The Sun StorEdge SAM-FS systems track the number of cleaning cycles used for each cleaning tape and eject the tape when the remaining cycles equal zero. For example, a DLT cleaning tape has 20 cycles, and an Exabyte cleaning tape has 10 cycles. Each time a cleaning tape is imported, the cleaning cycle is reset to the highest number of cycles for that type of tape.
If automatic cleaning is available on your system but all cleaning tapes in the automated library have a count of zero, the drive is set to off and a message is issued in the Sun StorEdge SAM-FS log.
Use the chmed(1M) command to reset a cleaning tape with a count of zero.
Use this command in the following format:
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The number of cleaning cycles to which you want the cleaning tape reset. |
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The media type. For a list of valid media types, see the mcf(4) man page. |
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If the cleaning cartridge is barcoded, you can import it using the import(1M) command.
1. Make sure that the cleaning cartridge has a barcode of CLEAN or starts with the letters CLN.
2. Use the import(1M) command to import the cleaning cartridge.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the automated library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
The Sun StorEdge SAM-FS system moves the cartridge from the mailbox to a storage slot and updates the library catalog for each cartridge. In addition, after this command is issued, the cleaning media flag is set, and the access count is set to the appropriate number of cleaning cycles, based on the media type. Each time the media is used to clean a drive, it decrements the access count.
For example, the following command imports a cleaning tape into the automated library that is numbered 50 in your mcf file:
You can also perform this task by using samu(1M) or SAM-QFS Manager.
If the cartridge is not barcoded, you must import it first. It does not become marked as a cleaning cartridge. Perform the following steps:
1. Import the cartridge using the import(1M) command.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the automated library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
2. Use the chmed(1M) command to change the type to a cleaning cartridge.
You must know the Equipment Ordinal of the automated library and the slot into which the cleaning cartridge is loaded.
In the following example command line, the automated library is Equipment Ordinal 50 and the cleaning cartridge is in slot 77:
The preceding command changes the cartridge type to that of a cleaning cartridge.
3. Use chmed(1M) again to set the cleaning cycle count.
The following example command sets the count on the cartridge used in the preceding step:
For more information about the chmed(1M) command, see the chmed(1M) man page.
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Note - The Sun StorEdge SAM-FS systems does not support automatic cleaning on network-attached libraries. You should use the vendor's library manager software for automatic cleaning. |
The Sun StorEdge SAM-FS environment supports the use of cleaning tapes if cleaning tapes are supported by the hardware. If a tape drive requests cleaning, the system automatically loads a cleaning tape.
If your system uses barcoded labels, cleaning tapes must have a VSN of CLEAN or a VSN starting with the letters CLN in the barcode label. Alternatively, you can use the chmed(1M) command to mark a VSN as a cleaning tape and set the count. Multiple cleaning tapes are allowed in a system.
When automatic cleaning is not available and the system uses barcodes, perform the following procedure to request manually that a drive be cleaned:
Use the cleandrive(1M) command.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the automated library being addressed as defined in the mcf file. This is the drive to be loaded with the cleaning cartridge.
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When a hardware or software error is encountered on a cartridge, the Sun StorEdge SAM-FS system sets the media error flag in the VSN catalog. On any given cartridge that generates a media error signal, you can use the chmed(1M) command to clear the error, and you can attempt to use the cartridge. The media error flag is displayed in the samu(1M) utility's v display and in SAM-QFS Manager.
1. Use the chmed(1M) command to clear the media error flag.
Use this command in the following format to clear the media error flag:
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The media type. For a list of valid media types, see the mcf(4) man page. |
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2. Issue the auditslot(1M) command to update the space remaining information.
Use this command in the following format:
For more information about the auditslot(1M) command, see the auditslot(1M) man page.
You can also perform this task by using the samu(1M) utility's :audit command or by using SAM-QFS Manager.
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If a cartridge becomes stuck in a drive, follow these steps.
1. Use the samcmd(1M) off commandto turn off the drives in the automated library.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the drive being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
You can also perform this task by using samu(1M) or SAM-QFS Manager.
2. Use the samcmd(1M) off command to turn off the automated library.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
You can also perform this task by using samu(1M) or SAM-QFS Manager.
3. Physically remove the cartridge from the drive.
Make sure you do not damage either the cartridge or the drive.
4. Use the samcmd(1M) on command to turn on the automated library and the drive.
Issue this command once for the drive and once for the library. Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the library or drive being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
If the automated library performs an audit when it is turned on, you are done. If it does not, perform the next step.
5. If you put the cartridge back into its storage slot, adjust the library catalog to set the occupied flag for the damaged tape by using the chmed(1M) command.
Use this command in the following format:
For more information about the chmed(1M) command, see the chmed(1M) man page.
If you keep the cartridge out, and you want to put it back in later, you must import the cartridge into the automated library.
The physical addition (import) and removal (export) of cartridges from an automated library enables you to perform several functions, including the following:
When you import and export cartridges, you also update the library catalog. Within the Sun StorEdge SAM-FS system, you accomplish these tasks by using the import(1M) and samexport(1M) commands. You can also perform these tasks by using SAM-QFS Manager.
A library catalog is the central repository of all information that the Sun StorEdge SAM-FS environment needs for finding cartridges in an automated library. The library catalog file is a binary UFS-resident file that contains information about each slot in an automated library. The information in this file includes the one or more volume serial names (VSNs) associated with the cartridge stored in the slot, the capacity and space remaining on that cartridge, and flags indicating read-only, write-protect, recycling, and other status information for the cartridge.
The Sun StorEdge SAM-FS environment treats catalogs differently depending on how the automated library is attached to the server, as follows:
Each automated library handles cartridge import and export differently due to system characteristics and the vendor-supplied software. For example, on the ACL 4/52 library, you need to issue a move command to move cartridges into the import/export unit before exporting cartridges from the automated library.
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Note - Network-attached automated libraries import and export cartridges using their own utilities, so the import(1M) and samexport(1M) commands only update the library catalog entries used by the Sun StorEdge SAM-FS systems. If you have a network-attached library, see Basic Operations for Libraries With Vendor-Specific Operational Procedures for information about importing and exporting cartridges. |
The Sun StorEdge SAM-FS historians keep track of cartridges exported from an automated library or a manually mounted device. The historian acts like a virtual library, but it has no defined hardware devices. Like an automated library, it is configured in the mcf file, has a catalog that records entries for all cartridges associated with it, can import and export cartridges, and appears in SAM-QFS Manager as another automated library.
You can configure the historian in the mcf file by using a device type of hy. If you do not configure the historian in the mcf file, it is created as follows:
In the preceding entry, n+1 is the last Equipment Ordinal in the mcf file plus 1. If you want to use a different Equipment Ordinal or path name for the catalog, you need only to define the historian in the mcf.
The historian library catalog is initialized with 32 entries when the historian first starts. Make sure that the catalog resides on a file system large enough to hold the entire catalog. Your site might want to track existing Sun StorEdge SAM-FS cartridges that have been exported from the library. In this case, you need to build a historian catalog from the existing cartridges as described in the build_cat(1M) man page.
The following two configuration directives in the defaults.conf file affect the behavior of the historian:
For more configuration information, see the historian(7) and defaults.conf(4) man pages.
A mailbox is an area in an automated library for adding and removing cartridges from the automated library. The import(1M) command moves a cartridge from the mailbox to a storage slot. The samexport(1M) command moves the cartridge from a storage slot to the mailbox. For most libraries, if a cartridge is present in the mailbox at the time that the Sun StorEdge SAM-FS software is started, the software imports the cartridge automatically upon startup.
Importing and exporting practices differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you are having trouble with this, see Basic Operations for Libraries With Vendor-Specific Operational Procedures to determine if specialized procedures are recommended for your equipment.
The following sections describe importing and exporting cartridges:
To import cartridges into an automated library that uses a mailbox, follow these steps.
1. Open the mailbox using the manufacturer's suggested operation.
There is usually a button near the mailbox. Sometimes the mailbox is a one-slot mailbox referred to as a mail slot in the vendor's documentation.
2. Manually place the cartridge into the mailbox.
4. Use the import(1M) command to import the cartridge.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
The system moves the cartridge from the mailbox to a storage slot and updates the library catalog for each cartridge.
You can also perform this task by using samu(1M) or SAM-QFS Manager.
This procedure moves a cartridge from a storage slot to a mailbox or mail slot. To export (eject) cartridges from a library that uses a mailbox, follow these steps.
1. Use the samexport(1M) command to move a cartridge from a storage slot to the mailbox.
Use this command in one of the following formats:
You can also perform this step by using samu(1M) or SAM-QFS Manager.
2. Open the mailbox or mail slot using the manufacturer's suggested operation.
There is usually a button near the mailbox.
1. Use the samcmd(1M) unload command.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
Wait until the system completes its current task, sets the status to off, and transfers the current active catalog to the historian.
2. Unlock and open the door to the automated library.
3. Load cartridges into the available slots.
4. Close and lock the door to the automated library.
The automated library reinitializes and scans the cartridges in the library. The Sun StorEdge SAM-FS software updates the library catalog by adding the VSNs of the imported cartridges to the catalog. The automated library state is set to on.
1. Use the samcmd(1M) unload command.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
Wait until the system completes its current task, sets the status to off, and transfers the current active catalog to the historian.
2. Unlock and open the door to the automated library.
3. Remove the cartridges from their respective slots.
4. Close and lock the door to the automated library.
The automated library reinitializes and scans the cartridges in the automated library. The system updates the library catalog with the VSNs of the cartridges currently in library slots. The VSNs of the removed cartridges are removed from the library catalog and are now recorded only in the historian file. The automated library state is set to on.
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The Sun StorEdge SAM-FS software requests cartridges to be loaded regularly to satisfy archiving and staging needs. If the request is for a cartridge that resides inside a library, the request is handled automatically. If the request is for a cartridge that resides outside the library, operator action is required. If enabled, the load_notify.sh(1M) script sends email when a cartridge needs to be obtained from outside the library.
2. Use the cp(1) command to copy the load notification script from its installed location to its operable location.
3. Use more(1) or another command to examine the defaults.conf file.
Make sure that the following directives are in the file and appear as follows:
These directives are set by default. If the load notification capability is to be enabled, ensure that these directives have not been changed.
4. Modify the load_notify.sh script to send notices to the operator.
By default, the script sends email to root, but it can be edited to send email to another person, to dial a pager, or to provide some other means of notification.
This section describes operations that differ if you have a manually loaded, standalone drive and not an automated library. Each manually loaded drive has its own one-slot library catalog.
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To load a cartridge into a manually loaded device, place the cartridge in the drive according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The Sun StorEdge SAM-FS system recognizes that the cartridge is loaded, reads the label, and updates the manual, one-slot catalog. No further action is necessary.
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Use samcmd(1M) idle command to idle the drive.
This command ensures that no archive or stage processes are active. Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the drive being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
The drive switches from idle to off when all I/O activity is complete, and the tape ejects.
If this is a tape, the tape rewinds, and the cartridge is ready to be removed. An optical cartridge ejects automatically. See the manufacturer's instructions for removing the specific cartridge.
You can also perform this task by using samu(1M) or SAM-QFS Manager.
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Use the samu(1M) utility's :v command.
Use this command in the following format:
For eq, specify the Equipment Ordinal of the library being addressed as defined in the mcf file.
| Sun StorEdge SAM-FS Storage and Archive Management Guide | 817-4093-10 |
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Copyright © 2004, Sun Microsystems, Inc. All rights reserved.
To Stop Removable Media Operations
