Autoloader

[Michael Ernstoff]

Can anyone advise me how HP-UX (11) interacts with a DDS autoloader?

Do you get:
A new command to manipulate the autoloader?
New options to the "mt" command?
Multiple tape devices appearing?
or something else?

Thanks in advance

[Slawomir Gora]

Hi,

you have to install schgr driver for changer and then use mc command to changer manipulation.

If it is HP autoloader you can use mtx command.

mt command you can use when you have tape inserted to drive.

[Michael Ernstoff]

Thanks.
I have looked up mc.
I looked for mtx both in man pages and on docs.hp.com but could not find it.

[Bill Hassell · Accepted solution]

The mc (media changer) tool is the key to manipulating the autoloader. However, it is quite a chore to get the device file for the robotic arm created. It is not automatic! In fact, you must hardcode the SCSI pass-through device into your /stand/system file with the hardware path and add the spt driver. Then you must use mknod (with the correct minor number) to create the special device file for mc to work. You'll need the latest docs for 11.00 to configure the pass through device.

Note that the tape drive will be configured automatically. It's the changer that requires extra effort.

[Slawomir Gora]

Hi,

mtx comes on cd with HP Autoloader

look at appendix for manual.

[Michael Ernstoff]

Is there a set of instructions anywhere for setting up the device file for the changer?

[Bill Hassell]

The document is OV-EN010365 which you can get from the ITRC knowledge base (be sure to selecty document ID rather than keywords when searching). Note that if you do not have a software support contract, it may not be visible.

[Michael Ernstoff]

Thanks. That's a great help.
Although I do not personally have a software support contract, I am sure I can get hold of the document through the company I am working for.