Ultrium Tape Library 2/60 slow

[David Ruska]

Michael has provided some excellent advice here. I wanted to add detail on one particular point:

> The problem with tapes getting stuck in drives in not just LTO/Ultrium, but also with DLT's ....

> [use] Up to date firmware

New library firmware has been released recently (1.51/1.52) which resolves many of the transport related failures we have seen, which can include failed unloads (aka tape left in drive).

HP Library & Tape Tools (www.hp.com/support/tapetools) can be used to easily update the library firmware (or alternately, the Remote Mangement Card can also be used).

For reference, here are some of the firmware changes (listed under details in the 'get files from web' dialog in LTT):


Enhancement:
Picker power failure recovery. 1.51 firmware has a capability to make several attempts to recover from picker power failures (qualifier 86).

Enhancement:
Added front panel test to run-in picker brush power system. This is in the "Admin" and "Service" test menus. Test will cover full track from each end of travel. Test will perform extensive additional retries on picker power failure only. Test will track number of picker resets and report on front panel for data collection.

Enhancement:
Added picker background maintenance. It will move automatically in the background to help avoid brush power loss.

Enhancement:
Added retries and timeouts for DLT 8000 drive unload.

Enhancement:
Added dropped leader detection.

Enhancement:
Enhanced drive put routine to reject loading tape if drive has dropped its leader. This prevents a good tape from being captured by a drive with a dropped leader. (DLT only)

Enhancement:
Added "Emergency Unload" routine to libraries with DLT drive