Scalar i3 Drives

Overview

You can hot swap and hot add all supported drives, regardless of type. The library supports the following types of tape drives:

Important Information - LTO-9 Media

LTO-9 media calibration is a new requirement for LTO-9 media. Calibration is a one-time requirement for new cartridges prior to first-time read/write operations; it is not a requirement for older generations including LTO-8. Due to continued LTO innovation, with LTO-9 there is an increased number of tracks used to write data on tape that requires greater precision. Media optimization creates a referenced calibration for each cartridge that enables the tape drive’s intelligent alignment to optimize data placement and enhances LTO tape long-term media durability.

For a more detailed description of the different possible scenarios with LTO-9, please reach out to your Quantum representative or solutions architect.

 

Q: Is there a difference between the terms, “optimization”, “initialization” and“calibration”, in reference to LTO-9 media?

A: No. Quantum chose to use “calibration” to describe this one-time LTO9 media

event.

 

Q: What is Media Calibration?

A: Media calibration has been implemented in LTO-9 technology to optimize data placement to each LTO-9 cartridge characteristics. Brand new LTO-9 media requires a one-time step initialization prior to commencing read/write operations. LTO-9 media calibration enhances LTO tape long-term media durability.

 

Q: Once the LTO-9 media cartridge has been calibrated within the recommended environmental range, does it need to be re-calibrated when it is moved to a separate drive, separate library, separate data center or environment?

A: No, the LTO-9 calibration process is only required on the first load of a new and unused LTO-9 media, subsequent loads in any LTO-9 drive do not require calibration.

 

Q: Will LTO-8 media require calibration on first load to an LTO-9 tape drive?

A: No. Media calibration is required only on brand new LTO-9 media.

 

Q: How much time does the calibration add to the first-time load of a brand new cartridge?

A: Media calibration averages between 35 to 52 minutes per first load of a cartridge to a tape drive, could take up to 2 hours to complete the calibration.

 

Q: Why does the LTO-9 media require calibration?

A. Higher track densities (TPI) and longer tapes using thinner polymer base substrates in LTO-9 media achieve double digit Areal Densities and more than 21K TPI track density. A new tape calibration algorithm was introduced, ensuring data durability, compatibility and allowing for complex interchange requirements over the specified environmental conditions. The length of calibration is mainly for media optimum characterization and will vary based on these factors. This initial calibration, also, enables the tape drive’s intelligent alignment to optimize data placement.

 

Q: Does LTO-9 media calibration need to be performed in destination site?

A: It is recommended, due to environmental requirements, that calibration should be performed in the final installation destination where the drives and media are to be used to ensure optimized acclimation within recommended environmental range on Quantum product data sheets.

 

Q: Can the customer disable media calibration?

A: No, the one-time calibration cannot be disabled. In order for the tape to perform, it must be calibrated before first time use and one time only.

 

Q: Can I use uncalibrated LTO-9 media for IVT?

A: No, do not use uncalibrated LTO-9 media for IVT. The LTO-9 media needs to be calibrated before use with IVT.

 

Q: Can I use an Extended Data Life Management (EDLM) drive to calibrate new LTO-9 media?

A: No, the EDLM scan engine will recognize that the media is new and does not contain data and just unload it again without loading it. This mechanism will prevent the media from getting calibrated in an EDLM drive.

 

Q: Can I recalibrate an LTO-9 media cartridge?

A: Yes. The Format command with specific field settings will reinitiate calibration. However, regardless of recalibration, any Format command will result in loss of all existing data on the tape.

Layout

List all configured drives and their configuration parameters.

Column Description
Type

Drive type. Includes drive brand (IBM), LTO type (LTO-6,7,8,9), and connectivity type (FC or SAS).

Drive type. Includes drive brand (IBM), LTO type (LTO-7,8,9), and connectivity type (FC or SAS).
SN Drive serial number. Depending on configuration, the SN displayed will be the physical SN or logical SN.
Location Drive library coordinates.
Owner Partition that drive is assigned to. If a drive is not assigned to a partition, this will be blank.
Mode Drive is offline or online. When a drive is taken offline, it is not available for cartridge load and unload (move) operations initiated by the host application. An offline drive does remain available for WebGUI initiated commands.
State Drive state is varied on or off. When you vary a drive on or off, it turns the power on or off to the specified drive within the drive sled.
Status Indicates the status of the drive (Unknown, Good, Failed, Degraded, Not Installed, Initializing, Not Ready).
Link Port A / Port B link status.
FW Drive firmware version.
Encryption

FIPs drive encryption status: Enabled or Disabled.
Control Path Control path type: None, Multi-Path Failover, Advanced Path Failover.
Connection Type of drive connection: Native or Ethernet.
Media Indicates if media tape cartridge is currently in the drive. If cartridge is in the drive, the media barcode will appear.

Lists all the configured parameters for any highlighted drive.

Detail Description
Type Drive type.
Location Drive library coordinates.
Mode

Drive is offline or online. This determines if a drive in a specified drive bay location is available for medium changer operations as instructed by a SCSI host. An offline drive is still available for WebGUI initiated commands.
State Drive is varied on or off. When you vary a drive on or off, it turns the power on or off to the specified drive within the drive sled.
Status Indicates the status of the drive (Unknown, Good, Failed, Degraded, Not Installed, Initializing, Not Ready).
Physical SN Physical serial number of the drive.
Logical SN Logical serial number of the drive (see Library Settings).
Firmware Revision Drive firmware version.
FIPs Capable Indicates if selected drive can support Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS).
Owner Partition owner of drive.
Control Path Type Used to connect a partition to a host application. Types are None, Standard, Basic, Advanced, Multi-Control Path.
Control Path Subtype Control path subtypes are None, Active, and Standby.
Connection Blade Location Library coordinates of blade.
IP Address Blade IP Address
SCSI Element Address SCSI home coordinates.
Node Address Unique number identifying drive in network.
Port Count Number of ports on the drive.
Port Access Standard, Advanced, or MultiPath.
EKM Configuration Indicates if Encryption Key Management (EKM) is enabled or disabled on the drive (see Scalar i3 Encryption).
FIPS Mode Indicates if a FIPs capable drive has FIPS enabled or disabled (see Update Drive Firmware).
Mount Status Indicates if tape media is currently mounted in the drive.
Mounted Media Barcode of mounted media in the drive.
Sled Type

Drive sled types are Unknown and Standard.
Sled SN Drive sled serial number.
Sled Code Drive sled firmware.

Shows a summary of the last 24 hours of read/write and mount performance aggregated data for the highlighted drive(s).

 

Provides options for drive configuration, maintenance and action.

Configuration
Modify Allows you to modify currently configured drive(s). Only active if a drive(s) is selected in the North Panel.
Maintenance
Cleaning Allows you to clean a selected drive(s). Requires the selected drive(s) to be offline. Only active if a drive(s) is selected in the North Panel.
Firmware Update Allows you update the firmware on selected drive(s). Requires the drive(s) to be offline and for the drive firmware to be uploaded prior to operation (see Update Drive Firmware). Only available if a drive(s) is selected in the North Panel.
Log Access Allows you to view a drive log for a specific drive. You can also retrieve an existing log or send a log to specified email address(es). Only available if a drive is selected from the North Panel.
Replace/Vary-On Allows you to vary-on a drive. Only available if a drive is selected from the North Panel.
Test Allows you to perform a self-test or a performance test on a single drive. Requires the selected drive to be offline. Only available if the drive is selected in the North Panel.
Remove/Vary-Off Allows you to vary-off a drive. Only available if a drive(s) is selected from the North Panel.
Actions
Online Allows you take a drive online. Only available if a drive is selected from the North Panel.
Identify On Allows you to initiate the Beacon (Blue) LED on the back of a drive to flash on and off so a specific drive can be found. Only available when a drive(s) are selected in the North Panel.
Load Allows you to load media into a drive. Only available if a drive not containing media is selected from the North Panel.
Unload Allows you to unload media from a drive. Only available if a drive containing media is selected from the North Panel.
Offline Allows you to take a drive offline. Only available if a partition containing drives is selected from the North Panel.
Identify Off Allows you stop the Beacon (Blue) LED on the back of a drive from flashing. Only available if a drive currently flashing is selected from the North Panel.
Eject Allows you to manually eject media from a drive.

Tasks

Configuration

Administrators can view and modify certain tape drive parameters. You can set the loop IDs, topology connection mode, and interface speed for a Fibre-attached tape drive. You can view but not set parameters for SAS tape drives. A SAS tape drive’s SAS address is automatically and uniquely generated based on a unique World Wide Node Name (WWNN) that the drive receives when it is configured.

You can set port access but not set additional parameters for LTO-9 and above SAS tape drives. A SAS tape drive’s SAS address is automatically and uniquely generated based on a unique World Wide Node Name (WWNN) that the drive receives when it is configured.

If the affected partition is online, it will be taken offline before the parameters are set, and brought back online after they are set. Drives not assigned to a partition are not eligible for configuration.

  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.
  2. In the North Panel, select the check box next to the drive(s) you want to modify.

  3. In the Operations panel, click Modify.

    Item Description Action
    Location

    List the coordinate location of the drive in the library.

    		  
    Port Access

    Select from the following options:

    • Standard - default if no Multi-Path Failover (MPF) or Advanced Path Failover (APF) license applied to drive, meaning only drive Port A enabled for a single and dual ported FC or SAS drive. The selection cannot be changed for SAS drives, and can only be changed for a FC or SAS drive if the drive is licensed for MP or APF licensed features.
    • Advanced - enables advanced data path failover functionality for an IBM LTO-6 and higher drives. It can only be enabled if an Advanced Path Failover (APF) license is applied to the selected FC or SAS drives and Partition Control Path is set to either none or Advanced.
    • Multipath - enables drives with multiple FC or SAS ports, for redundant data path configuration for IBM LTO6 and higher drives. It can only be enabled if a Multi-Path Failover (MPF) license applied to the selected FC or SAS drives and Partition Control Path is set to either none or MultiPath.
    		 Select a value from the drop-down menu.
    Speed

    Select from the following options for FC drives only:

    • Auto (default) - automatic speed negotiation for FC drives
    • 1 Gb/s - for LTO-4 and below
    • 2 Gb/s - for LTO-6 to LTO-7 FC drives
    • 4 Gb/s - LTO-6 to LTO-7 FC drives
    • 8 Gb/s - LTO-6 and higher FC drives
    		 Select a value from the drop-down menu.
    Topology

    Select from the following options for FC drives only:

    • NA
    • Loop Preferred (LN) - Auto-configure trying L-Port first
    • Point to Point (P2P) (default) - Force N-Port
    • Loop (L) - Force L-Port
    • Point Preferred (NL) - Auto-configure trying N-Port first
    		 Select a value from the drop-down menu.
    Loop ID

    Select from the following options for FC drives only:

    • Soft ID (default) - indicating the loop id - if required for any NL, LN or L topology - is determined by the library
    • Hard ID - enables Loop ID settings for individual drives to have the loop id displayed and allow for user selections from 1 to 125.

    • Note: If the topology is set to P2P, the Loop Id selection is disabled

    		 Select a value from the drop-down menu.

  4. Click Apply to save your settings.

  5. Click Close to exit the window.

Maintenance

Library tape drives require occasional cleaning. Cleaning cartridges are used to remove accumulated residue from each tape drive’s read/write head.

To assign library cleaning cartridges to cleaning slots, refer to Library Cleaning Slots.

The library supports two methods for cleaning tape drives with cleaning cartridges: Auto Clean and Manual.

Auto Clean — Configuring a partition for cleaning enables Auto Clean. Cleaning cartridges are stored in the designated cleaning slots. When a tape drive needs cleaning, it notifies the library, and the library automatically cleans the tape drive using a cleaning cartridge loaded in a cleaning slot. Automatic cleaning is integrated into routine library operations. The host application requests the library to move a tape cartridge. If the tape drive performing the operation needs cleaning, the library will perform the move operation and then automatically clean the tape drive with a cleaning cartridge before informing the host application that the move operation is complete.

When a cleaning cartridge has expired, a RAS ticket informs the user to export the expired tape from the library. If more cleaning cartridges are present, the next cleaning cartridge will be used for the next cleaning request. If no more cleaning cartridges are available, a RAS ticket will inform the user that the tape drive needs cleaning and that a cleaning tape needs to be imported.

Only administrators can configure cleaning slots, thus enabling Auto Clean. When Auto Clean is enabled, the library allows you to import and export cleaning media through the I/E area.

Note: Cleaning slots are not visible to the host application. To choose host-based cleaning, do not configure any cleaning slots, and configure your host application to manage cleaning tape drives. Configuring cleaning slots on the library may affect the host application. See your host application documentation for information.

Manual Cleaning — When a tape drive needs cleaning, it notifies the library. If the library’s Auto Clean feature is not enabled (no cleaning slots have been configured), the library generates a RAS ticket informing the user that the tape drive needs cleaning. Administrators can clean tape drives manually at any time, using commands on the operator panel or Web client

The preferred method of labeling a cleaning cartridge is to have CLN or CLNU as the prefix on the label. Any cartridge detected with a CLN or CLNU prefix will be considered a universal cleaning cartridge, regardless of any media identification extension. Cartridges containing a media identification of C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, and CU will be considered cleaning cartridges and will be tracked and treated as if the media label contained the prefix CLN or CLNU.

  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.
  2. In the North Panel, select the check box next to the drive(s) you want to clean.
  3. If they aren't already offline, take them offline now by clicking Offline.

  4. In the Operations panel, click Cleaning.

    Item Description Action
    Source Type

    Allows you to select where the cleaning media will come from:

    • I/E Slot - if no cleaning slot is defined, this is the default
    • Cleaning Slot - cleaning media will be used from a designated cleaning slot
    • Partition Slot - cleaning media will be used from a designated partition slot

    Select the desired value from the drop-down menu.

    Additional Information

    • If a tape is in an I/E slot, the tape is selectable under the I/E Slot source type.
    • If a tape is in a cleaning slot, the tape is selectable under the Cleaning Slot source type.
    • If a tape has media type 20 AND the partition it is in is OFFLINE, the tape is selectable under the Partition Slot source type.
    • If the are no I/E slots, any tape in 1,1,0,10,1 will be as selectable under the I/E Slot source type.
      Allows you to select the available cleaning media. Select the check box next to the cleaning media you want to use.
    Barcode Displays the barcode for the cleaning media.  
    Location

    Displays the coordinates where the cleaning media is located.

    		  
    Status

    Displays the following:

    • Available
    • Unavailable
    		  
    Progress Area Displays the drive(s) that are currently being cleaned, the drive serial number and location as well as status of the cleaning.  

  5. Click Apply to save your settings.

  6. Click Close to exit the window.

You can use this feature to upgrade one or more tape drives in your library with an image file obtained from Quantum Support. The appropriate drive firmware image must be uploaded to your library prior to beginning the update process.

Note: Drive firmware updates are disabled if drive leveling is enabled (see Drive Leveling).

Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Firmware

FIPS firmware is indicated by _f and (FIPS) in the firmware name.

  • FIPS firmware example - IBM_LTO7_H9E2.fcp_fh_f.fmrz (FIPS)
  • Non-FIPS firmware example - IBM_LTO7_G9Q4_fcp_fh.fmrz
  • Drives in a FIPS partition cannot have non-FIPS firmware loaded.
  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.
  2. In the North Panel, select the check box next to the drive(s) you want to update.

  3. In the Operations panel, click Firmware Update.

    Item Description Action
    Drive Firmware Area

    Allows you to select the version of drive firmware you want to use.

    Note: If you have Drive Leveling enabled, you cannot manually update drive firmware. See Drive Leveling for details.

    Note: If a drive is unassigned, you cannot downgrade drive firmware.

    		 Select the checkbox next to the firmware you want to use. Click Apply to begin updating the drive firmware.
    Progress Area Displays the drive(s) that are currently being updated, the drive serial number and location as well as status of the update.  

  4. Click Close to exit the window.

Note: A log file may exceed the size limit in your email server configuration. If this occurs, save the log file outside of the Scalar i3 system and send the file using a different email or other file transfer method.

  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.
  2. From the North Panel, select the check box next to the drive you want to view logs.

  3. In the Operations panel, click Log Access.

    Item Description Action
    Retrieve New Drive Log

    Allows you to create a new log for the selected drive. If the drive is varied off or uninstalled, you cannot select this option.

    Select the radio button.
    Retrieve Existing Drive Log Allows you to view any existing logs for the selected drive. The table will display the name of the log, the date it was created and the size of the log file. If the existing log you select is in some way unavailable, you will not be able retrieve the log and the Apply button will not be enabled. Select the radio button.
    Save

    Allows you to save a log file for the selected drive.

    		 Select the radio button and click Apply. A save dialog box appears. Navigate to where you want to save the log file and click OK.
    Send

    Allows you to send a log file for the selected drive to any email address.

    		 Select the radio button. Enter an email address in the box provided. Click Apply.

  4. Click Apply to save your settings.

  5. Click Close to exit the window.

There are two drive states:

  • Remove/Vary Off - powers off the specified drive within a drive sled.
  • Replace/Vary On - powers on the specified drive within a drive sled.

You must vary drives off to prepare for drive removal and maintenance. This allows you to target specific drives for maintenance while keeping other drives active and the library working normally to complete data operations.

  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.
  2. Select a drive from the North Panel by clicking the checkbox next to it.

  3. Click the Replace/Vary-On button.

  4. Click Apply. The drive state will display as Varied On after the operation is complete.
  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.
  2. Select a drive from the North Panel by clicking the checkbox next to it.

  3. Click the Remove/Vary-Off button.

  4. Select the Vary off Drive check box.

  5. If the selected drive is assigned to a partition, the Remove Drive from Partition Configuration option is available. Select the check box if you wish to remove the selected drive from the assigned partition. Do not select if you want the drive to remain assigned to the partition.

  6. Click Apply. The drive state will display as Varied Off after the operation is complete.

Note: The Beacon LED on the back of the drive will flash blue when the drive is varied-off.

These tests are drive tests that require you to insert a scratch or suspect media into the library’s bottom (lowermost) I/E slot. You can only run these tests on IBM tape drives.

  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.
  2. In the North Panel, select the check box next to the drive you want to test.
  3. If the drive is not already offline, do so now by clicking Offline.

  4. In the Operations panel, click Test.

    Item Description Action
    Self Test

    Performs the drive’s Power On Self Test (POST) to make sure that drive hardware is working properly.

    		 Select this radio box and click Apply to perform this test.
    Read/Write Performance Test

    Reads and writes 96 wraps worth of data in each of the scratch tape’s four data sections. During the test, the drive overwrites the data on the scratch tape.

    Caution: Media tests are destructive to data on the media. Please ensure you want to perform this test before proceeding.

    		 Select this radio box and click Apply to perform this test.
      Displays the drive(s) that are currently being updated, the drive serial number and location as well as status of the update.  

  5. Click Close to exit the window.

Actions

There are two tape drive modes:

  • Online — Tape drive is available for medium changer operations as instructed by a SCSI host. This is the normal operating mode for the tape drive.
  • Offline — The drive not available is not available for medium changer operations as instructed by a SCSI host. An offline drive is still available for WebGUI initiated commands.

Some operations require that the tape drive be offline. You can take a tape drive offline rather than the entire library or partition so as to minimize disruption of library operations.

Note: Using the library to change tape drive mode may affect the host application. See your host application documentation for more information.

  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.
  2. In the North Panel, select the check box next to the drive(s) you want to change status.
  3. In the Operations panel, click Online or Offline.

There are instances when a specific drive needs to be identified at the physical library. In these cases, using the Identify feature causes the LEDs on the back of the drive to blink rapidly so that the drive can be found quickly. After a designated amount of time, the LEDs go back to normal operation.

When you click Identify On, a message appears that informs you that you can now identify the drive by the rapidly blinking blue LED on the back of it. After you find the drive, click Identify Off to stop the rapid blinking.

  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.
  2. In the North Panel, select the check box next to the drive(s) you want to identify.
  3. In the Operations panel, click Identify On or Identify Off.

The Unload Drive operation allows you to unload a cartridge from a tape drive to a storage slot without being physically at the library. The storage slot and tape drive must be assigned to the same partition.

  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.

  2. In the North Panel, select the drive you want to eject the tape from. In the row for the drive, the media column contains the barcode of the tape currently in the drive.

  3. From the Operations panel, click Unload.

Note: If you experience a stuck tape while trying to unload, vary the drive off and on (see Vary Drive On or Off). When it is back to ready, select the drive and click Unload.

  1. From the Navigation panel, select Drives.
  2. In the North Panel, select the check box next to the drive(s) you want to eject media from.

  3. In the Operations panel, click Eject.

  4. Click Apply to save your settings.

  5. Click Close to exit the window.

Note: If you experience a stuck tape while trying to eject a tape, vary the drive off and on (see Vary Drive On or Off). When it is back to ready, select the drive and click Eject.