MSL 8096 Configuration of library to stop it scanning so much

[Rita C Workman]

Any experts know how to stop this scanning cause it's creating a headache for me.

Got new libraries - all SAN attached. Had left default settings for library and noticed that even a simple tape format was taking 10-30 minutes. (No kidding). Started watching things via RMI interface and noticed that after every media move it would rescan the whole library. So load tape to drive (scans library) unload tape from drive (scans).
When you have 4 drives and 96 slots that scanning takes more and more time if you are trying to format 4 tapes. Ridiculous amount of time!

The default Library Mode is "automatic". So I changed it to "random (manual)" and repowered the unit.
It is STILL scanning all the time.

Am I missing a patch?

Any suggestions before I load up diagnostic tools on new libraries?

Thanks,
Rita

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom Rita,

From not so sunny Toledo.

There are security bullitens on this unit.

http://www.securityfocus.com/archive/1/506592/30/90/threaded

The issue could come from firmware, not OS patches.

Version:1 (rev.1) - 14 September 2009 Initial release
Version:2 (rev.2) - 15 September 2009 Added CVE numbers assigned to this issue.

Thats from the document. There have been two fairly recent firmware updates for this monster.

https://www.auscert.org.au/render.html?it=11664

Just because firmware could be a factor, here and the unit may be vulnerable, I'd try updating the firmware. First.

SEP

[Steven E. Protter]

Sorry, found something new.

Description: This file contains a bundle of automation and drive firmware files for the HP StorageWorks MSL2024/MSL4048/MSL8096 Tape Libraries, and HP StorageWorks 1/8 Ultrium G2 Tape Autoloaders.


ITRC Support Information
Link: http://alerts.hp.com/r?2.1.3KT.2ZR.yfz%5fa.DMXsfO..N.HcXe.1vZC.bW89MQ%5f%5fDRIcFUO0
Priority: Recommended
Products: Hardware Digest, Patch Digest
OS: HPUX
Release Date: May 19 2009
Description: PHKL_39780: (SR: QXCR1000929312) SYMANTEC Incident Number: 1427459(1211302) In a CVM environment, running "vxdmpadm [disable|enable] " when a path failover happens in parallel may result in a system panic with the following stack traces. Disabling/enabling a DMP path multiple times is known to be a typical scenario for this panic as the disable/enable operation will as well trigger the path failover. panic+0xc0 assfail+0x3c scsi_strategy+0x438 dmp_dev_strategy+0x31c gendmpstrategy+0x688 dmpstrategy+0x30 physio+0x27c dmpread+0xb4 spec_rdwr+0x250 vno_rw+0xf8 (more...)


You may want to check the PHKL patch listed above.

SEP

[Rita C Workman]

Hi Stephen,

Firmware level is 9.30, so I'm well covered for the security bulletin mentioned.
They are fiber attached down one path only, so failover and DMP would also not be involved.

Thanks, hope your enjoying the buckeye state!

Rita

[Rita C Workman]

Not sure what fixed it exactly
But the only things I did were:

Changed Library Mode to have 'random' checked with all others not-checked.

Changed each SAN Drive Port A setting from 'automatic' to it's exact port connection. For me that is Speed=4Gb and Fabric (since it's attached to my director).

Submitted the changes, the units rebooted on their own. And after it came back up and did the usual scan after reboot, everything started working the way it should.

My format a tape request went from 30 minutes and now it's running at 3 minutes.

Thanks, and hope this helps anyone else who may run into fun with a new MSL8096.

Rgrds,
Rita