topic Recent direct attached tape libraries ? in Operating System - OpenVMS

Recent direct attached tape libraries ?

Max Pierre — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 09:53:33 GMT

Hi,

Are there somewhere informations on recent direct attached tape library support and OpenVMS ?
All we found is outdated, incomplete.
Informations about EBS, ABS ... are useless for us as we would like to use the OpenVMS native backup utility.

http://h71000.www7.hp.com/openvms/storage/smstape_matrix.html

We would like to use a MSL 2024 or 4048 library connected on a scsi bus on an Alpha system. The system is running 8.2.
Is it possible to use such libraries in sequential or random mode without/with the robot media utility ?
The library should work on Integrity as well (upgrade from alpha to integrity planned soon)

Thanks in advance,

Max

Re: Recent direct attached tape libraries ?

Karl Rohwedder — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 10:51:35 GMT

Per SPD (http://h18000.www1.hp.com/info/XAV12X/XAV12XPF.PDF) those seem to be supported via SAN.

regards Kalle

Re: Recent direct attached tape libraries ?

Hoff — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 12:39:54 GMT

There's a platform hardware support matrix for the AlphaServer series stuff. Navigate to your platform, and look at the matrix there.

As for HP, that's another question. That usually takes more digging. The usual starting point is the enterprise configurator tool. Or in this case, also start here with the Enterprise Backup Solutions link:

http://www.hp.com/go/ebs

and (for mostly drive-level, and less with the MSL/ESL/EML series) with:

http://h18006.www1.hp.com/products/storageworks/tapecompatibility.html

As for BACKUP and a tape library, that tends to work fine with most any tape drive that supports sequential operations. Most (all?) now do support this.

You might want to acquire the MRU tool; the Media Robot Utility.

HP tends to want you to work more directly with HP representatives, or with an HP reseller or consultant. With somebody that deals with this stuff day in and day out.

Stephen Hoffman
HoffmanLabs LLC

Re: Recent direct attached tape libraries ?

Guenther Froehlin — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:02:34 GMT

Both models are listed with SCSI interface options.

Using straight BACKUP works in both sequential and random mode. To load the next tape in random mode you either need to use the front panel or the MRU utility.

Better use the /JOURNAL qualifier with the BACKUP command so you know which tapes are needed for a restore.

/Guenther