StorageTek SL150 Modular Tape Library
 

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How to load tapes into the SL150 library

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Goal

How to load cartridges into the SL150 library
 

Solution

Loading tapes into a library, any library, even our large SL8500 libraries, is normally a customer task even at installation time. We would never normally send out an FE to do this because to do so would possibly take an FE away from more essential tasks and is something customers need to be familiar with. Since this would be a regular task we provide detailed instructions on how to load the library in the SL150 User's Guide pages 5-5 onward.

This is a copy of those instructions....

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.
    Loading and Unloading Individual Cartridges
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
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 installed in the magazine, gently push the mailslot into the mailslot bay until it latches into place with a noticeable click. 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.

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