Remove and Replace the Cable Spool

The cable spool provides the electrical connection between the robot and the System Control Board. The cable spool allows the robot cable to feed out and retract back in as the robot moves up and down in the library.

The cable spool is only installed in an Expansion Modules (EMs). Scalar i3 Control Module (CM) only installations do not require a cable spool.

Item Name Description

1

 

This indicator is for future use.
2 Robot Power LED

This indicator illuminates green when power is being supplied to the robot.
3 Serial Port This serial port is for engineering use only.
4 Robot Cable This cable attaches to the robot and feeds out and retracts in as the robot moves.

Before You Begin

Before you begin the removal procedure, take a snapshot of the library and save your library configuration. These will be used to restore your library if any issues occur after the removal and replacement procedure.

Your library has many configurable items, such as tape drive IDs, partitions, user accounts, Import/Export (I/E) slots, and cleaning slots. The Save/Restore window allows you to save your library's configuration and then restore the library’s firmware and configurable items to a previous state in the event of a hardware failure or firmware upgrade.

Restore a Configuration on the same Library

Before you restore a library configuration, review the following:

  • If you have Logical System Addressing (LSA) enabled on the library, the saved configuration is specific to that library only. Do not attempt to clone the configuration to a different library.
  • The library must have all the proper licenses installed before restoring a configuration.

Restore a Configuration on a new Library

Before you restore a library configuration, review the following:

  • If you have LSA enabled and want to clone the configuration to a new library, you must first disable LSA and save the configuration (see Library Settings).
  • If you want to clone a saved configuration to another library, you should only use the saved configuration upon initial installation of a new library. Once a the cloned configuration is on a new library, you should save a configuration specific to that new library.
  • If you are cloning a saved configuration to a new library, the new library must have the same minimum license configuration as the library where the saved configuration came from.
  • If you are cloning a saved configuration to a new library, the new library must have at least the same minimum module configuration. For example, if the library the saved configuration came from has 4 modules, the new library must have a least 4 or more modules.

Item Description Action
Restore Configuration

Restores library to the selected configuration. After the restore, the library will automatically reboot.

 Select the radio button.
Restore Filename Allows you to select the name of the library configuration file you want to restore. Click the Browse button and navigate to the configuration file you want to use. Click Apply to begin restoring the library configuration.
Save Configuration Saves the current library configuration. Select the radio button. Click Apply. The library configuration file is downloaded. You can then use the file locally or email it.

Click Close to exit the window.

The Library Snapshot feature captures detailed information about the entire library in a single ASCII file that can be e-mailed to technical support personnel. The information consists of configuration data, status information, and trace logs for library components. Trace logs collect problem data and provide support personnel with vital library information for troubleshooting and solving problems.

You can e-mail the snapshot file from the WebGUI. You can also download the snapshot file to your computer. However, you cannot print snapshot files directly from the Web client. Depending on the library configuration and your connection speed, saving the snapshot file could take several minutes. The resulting file size can be large. In some cases, your firewall file-size limitations could prohibit you from emailing the file.

  • Library SN
  • Number of physical slots installed (all slots)
  • Number of slots assigned to partitions (host and library managed)
  • Number of assigned slots populated with media
  • Number of general purpose drives, listed by drive manufacturer and LTO generation
  • Drive utilization rate of general purpose drives (even if Advanced Reporting [AR] isn’t licensed)
  • Dual/single robot
  • Number of yellow/red robot-related RAS tickets
  • Redundant power – Y/N
  • Advanced Reporting license – Y/N
  • Number of I/E jobs done
  • Largest number of media in a single I/E job
  • Number of red/yellow RAS tickets associated with control or drive paths failing or losing connectivity
  1. From the Navigation panel, select Service.

  2. In the Operations panel, click Library Snapshot.

    Item Description Action
    Snapshot Type Select a Standard or Extended library snapshot.
    • Select Standard to collect the library data documented above.
    • Select Extended to collect Standard library data, plus additional log history data and all collected tape drive data dumps.

    Note: Extended snapshots cannot be send via email.
    Save Allows you to save the snapshot file to a computer. Select the Save radio button and click Apply.
    Send This feature allows you send the snapshot to any email address you want. Select the Send radio button.
    E-mail Address This field allows you to enter in an email address. Enter the desired email address and click the icon. Repeat this until all intended email recipients are displayed in the box below the E-mail Address field. When finished, click Apply to send the snapshot.
  3. Click Close to exit the window.

Remove the Cable Spool

There are two different versions of the top cover available on Scalar i3 systems, one with screws and one without screws.

Select from the options below:

  1. If you did not remove the magazines while unpacking the library, do so at this time.

  2. Using the empty magazine slots for access, use both hands to gently push up and forward on the inside of the top cover. This will release the top catch and side stops.

  3. Slide the top cover off.

Required Tools: T-10 Torx Driver (included with library assembly tool)

  1. Use the assembly tool to remove the 8 cover screws.

  2. Remove cover. Be careful not to let the cover sag in the middle or at the ends.

Before you remove the robot, you must correctly position it in the system. Use on of the following methods below to position the robot.

  1. Select Devices.
  2. From the North Panel, click the + next to Robotics. Select the checkbox for the Robot.

  3. In the Operations Panel, click Position. The Position window displays.

  4. Select the Replace radio button.
  5. Click Apply. This positions the robot in the module that is second down from the top in the library stack.

You can now perform the remainder of the Remove Robot procedure. In some rack configurations you might not be able to take the top cover off. In these cases you must remove the top module by following the Remove Module procedure.

If you are not using the WebGUI to position the robot, you will have to use the LUI. To do this, use the following path:

Service Functions > Maintenance > Robot Position > Replace

Some robot malfunctions prevent he robot from being positioned using the WebGUI. In these situations, you must position the robot by hand.

  1. Mark and remove the magazines. Mark each magazine so you know which bay it came from. Magazines must be placed back in the bays they came from.

  2. Mark and disconnect the cables from the tape drives.
  3. Mark the drives so you can replace them in their locations. Remove the drives.
  4. Remove any remaining drive covers.
  5. Identify the module where the robot is positioned. Insert your arm into the empty magazine well of the module and push up on the bottom front of the robot.
  6. Push up on the bottom rear of the robot until it is level with the front. You may have to go around to the back and reach through the drive bays to do this if your arm is not long enough, or is too big around to reach the bottom rear through the magazine well.
  7. Continue this pushing up procedure until you’ve positioned the robot in the module second from the top.

Now you can perform the remainder of the Remove Robot procedure. In some rack configurations you might not be able to take the top cover off. In these cases you must remove the top module by following the Remove Module procedure.

How to Identify a Gen1 or Gen2 Robot

There are two methods to identify a Gen1 or Gen2 robot in the Scalar i3 system.

In the WebGUI, select System. The Information Panel will indicate if the robot is a Gen1 or Gen2.

Gen2 Robots have "G2" stamped on the robot (see figure below). Gen1 Robots do not have a stamp.

  1. Using the lift bar and the lift tab, pull upward until the gears are free from the rack.

  2. Set the robot on the module chassis a few inches toward the front.

  3. Insert cable hold tool.
  4. Lift the robot cable cover up.

  5. Disconnect the robot cable from robot and attach the robot cable to the cable hold tool. DO NOT RELEASE THE CABLE.

  6. Using the two lift points, set the robot away from the library on a level surface.

  1. Attach the cable feed tool to the robot cable.

  2. Slowly feed the robot cable back down into the library using the cable feed tool.

  3. Loosen the cable spool thumbscrew until it no longer attaches the cable spool to the library chassis.

  4. Pull the cable spool out using the thumbscrew.
  5. Disconnect the cable feed tool.

Replace the Cable Spool

  1. If the cable spool bay cover is installed, loosen its thumbscrew and remove it.

  2. Insert the T8 end of the assembly tool into the left magazine release hole until the magazine pops out. Pull the magazine out about two inches.

  3. Attach the cable spool feed tool to the robot cable connector.

  4. Slide the cable spool into the library until you feel the feel the electrical connection slide in to place.

  5. Tighten the thumbscrew until finger tight.

  6. Gently pull the cable feed tool up until the robot cable is out of the library.

  7. Attach the robot cable to the cable hold tool.

  8. Tighten the cable spool thumbscrew.

  9. Insert the right magazine into the library until it locks in to place.

How to Identify a Gen1 or Gen2 Robot

There are two methods to identify a Gen1 or Gen1 robot in the Scalar i3 system.

In the WebGUI, select System. The Information Panel will indicate if the robot is a Gen1 or Gen2.

Gen2 Robots have "G2" stamped on the robot (see figure below). Gen1 Robots do not have a stamp.

  1. Using the two lift points, place robot on top of library.

  2. Connect the robot cable to the robot.

  3. If the cable hold tool is present, remove it.

  4. Close the robot cable cover until it clicks into place.

  5. Align the robot gears with the library rails. Push down on the lift tab and the lift bar until the robot is lower than the top of the module frame.

    Caution: Do not push down on the robot anywhere other than the identified touch points. Damage to robot may occur.

There are two different versions of the top cover available on Scalar i3 systems, one with screws and one without screws.

  1. If the top cover is new, remove the plastic wrap from the cover.

  2. Press the left magazine release button on the top module. The magazine will “pop” out. Pull the magazine out of the module.

  3. Press the right magazine release button on the top module. The magazine will “pop” out. Pull the magazine out of the module.

  4. Hold the cover with the top catch facing towards you.

  5. Slide the cover on top of the module until the side stops and top catch lock the cover into place.

  6. Insert the magazines back into their slots.

  1. Place the cover on top of the module and attach using the screws.

  1. Press the right magazine release button on the Control Module (CM). The magazine will “pop” out. Pull the magazine until the first set of slots is exposed.

  2. Insert a scratch tape. A scratch tape is a blank tape or one you don’t mind being overwritten. Insert the tape into the bottom front slot in the right magazine. This is the designated I/E slot for the library.

  3. Select Diagnostics from the WebGUI menu.

  4. Select the Installation Verification Test checkbox from the North Panel.

  5. Click the Test button in the Operation Panel. The Installation Verification Test window displays.

  6. The Complete IVT radio button should be pre-selected. If it’s not, select it.

  7. Click Apply. The Progress area of the dialog window will display the test progress.

    Note: You must wait until the library has finished initialization before you can begin the IVT process.

  8. The results of each of the IVT tests displays in the Progress area.

    Caution: The library will display a Ready status during IVT. Disregard and do not try and perform any library operations. When each Magazine Test is complete, the library will be ready.