Tape Library Management
Last updated
Last updated
Nodeum manages natively Tape Library, three main types of connections are compatible:
SCSI (Fiber Channel - SAS)
ACSLS
RoS (REST over SCSI API) -> coming soon
The associated generation LTO Tapes Drives are compatible, from LTO5 to LTO9.
Nodeum supports Tape Library connected within Fiber Channel or SAS connections. Both type of connectivities support SCSI protocols. Nodeum Tape Library manager is compatible with SCSI driven Tape Libraries.
The second supported protocol is the Oracle StorageTek ACSLS protocol. This is about managing Oracle StorageTek tape libraries managed by ACSLS server.
The last type of Tape Library Management is RoS, which means managing the Tape Library automation through REST API.
The different Tape Library movement operations are supported and embedded in the product to provide tape automation during the task execution.
This means that when workflow has to read-write data to Tape(s), the process will automatically take care of the tape mounting and unmounting.
The following LTO Generations are supported, LTO5 to LTO9 included. All the function of tape mounting, LTFS mounting and unmounting functions are automated too.
When Nodeum detects an issue with a Tape Drive, Nodeum puts the drive in Maintenance Mode to allow the other tasks to run on the alternative drives.
Example
Drives can be set in Maintenance Mode for example:
When too many errors are detected to mount a tape in this drive
If a Tape unrecognized by Nodeum is mounted in the drive
To restore the functionality of the drive with Nodeum, you need :
to correct the issue detected on the drive
stop and restart Nodeum services.
Replace a Tape Drive
Change the Bridge allocation
Upgrade Tape Library and Tape Drive firmware
When a drive needs to be replaced, here is the detailed procedure to follow. It' imperative to make these actions before to change the tape drive in the Tape Library :
Go to the Tape Library Configuration Panel. (Tape Library Configuration) and unselect the drive you need to replace and save it.
Stop Nodeum Services
Now you can replace physically the tape drive in the tape library,
Reboot the Nodeum's system
Go to the Tape Library Configuration Panel. (Tape Library Configuration) and select the new drive you have just placed in the tape Library
Restart Nodeum Services
Go to the Tape Library Configuration Panel. (Tape Library Configuration) and unselect the drive you need to replace
2. Stop Nodeum Services
3. Replace physically the tape drive by the new one
4. Reboot the Nodeum's system
5. Select the new drive in the Tape Library Configuration Panel
6. Restart Nodeum Services
If the Drive Bridge is in error or failed, the Tape Library as well will be in error and will be not accessible properly by Nodeum.
In this case, you need to change the drive bridge allocation to a different drive.
If you need to change the Bridge Drive allocation, here is the detailed procedure to follow:
Example with the Oracle SL150 Tape Library:
From the Drive Panel, locate which Tape drive is the Bridge Tape Drive.
In the Tape Library Configuration
Select Configure Library Settings and change the Library Bridged Drive:
Once done, you have to reboot Nodeum's system to update correctly the new SCSI address of the Tape Library.
Start the upgrade of the Firmware in a Tape Library or a Tape Library need to be performed carefully.
It is also important to take into account that during this operation Nodeum cannot use the tape library or the selected tape drive.
Once the firmware upgrade is operated from the Tape Library itself, it is important to proceed with these following steps:
Check in the Configuration panel of Tape Drive and save the new parameters. Visualize the Firmware Revision number.
Restart the Nodeum's Server to validate the SCSI device configuration.