ITEM: Y1842L

Determination of a tape position - DDS2 Autoloader

Question:

Env:
  AIX 3.2.5
  RISC 39H
  Tape: 7332-005 4mm DDS2 Autoloader

Desc:
  Our 39H is in a high security environment (machine room), several blocks 
away, requiring MIS staff to allow us acces if we must physically monitor
the tape position or manually change it.
The device is part 7332-005 4mm DDS-2 tape autoloader with a 12 cart. 
magazine.  We have a cron job to cycle the tape from positions 1 thru 12 
using tctl -f /dev/rmt0 offload. It is our understandin
that this will not cycle the tape from position 12 to position 1 
(which would be preferable to MIS security), nor have we found a way to 
query the
device to know what it's current position is.

Action:
  I understand you are using AIX 3.2.5 and using the 4mm tape 
  driver which is at level 03.02.02.04. The Device Driver 
  installation guide Part number- 21H2250 talks about some IOCTL 
  calls that will allow you to specifically unload the tape from 
  the drive to a specific slot or to load a specific slot cartridge
  into the drive. The two calls are:
  MOVE_MEDIUM_LOAD and MOVE_MEDIUM_UNLOAD. 
  The book also talks about the READ POSITION command.  If you do 
  not have the manual then you can order it through your local 
  branch office by giving the Part number that I have listed above.

There are two softwares (ADSM or Sysback) automatically handle the
positioning of the tapes.

I hope this answers your questions.

Thank you.



Support Line: Determination of a tape position - DDS2 Autoloader ITEM: Y1842L

Dated: August 1995 Category: N/A

This HTML file was generated 99/06/24~13:30:33

Comments or suggestions?
Contact us