MSL4048 Negotiating Link

[MrJaffa]

Hi,

We got this tape library brand new about 2 years ago to replace an older failing model. It's only now that we have had a chance to plug it in and fire it up.

We have a server set up with a HP QLogic dual 8gbps card in it. When we plug the FC cables in, the lights turn on on both the card and the tape library drives, so it looks like it is wired up correctly.

The server (Server 2019) on the other hand does not see the tape library (either in Device Manager or using the HP Tape Library Tools software). Looking at the Web GUI, the Port Status for both drives say "Negotiating Link".

I have tried replacing the fibre cables, i have tried limiting the speed of the adapters on the HBA to 4gbps... but it does nothing.

I have also tried installing any and all drivers I can find, but still nothing.

Any ideas?

[Torsten.]

Try to configure "loop" instead of automatic.

[MrJaffa]

Yep, I have tried that and it is no good. Still negotiating link.

[Curtis_Ballard]

You don't give any details on the type of drive or whether there is a switch in the system.  If you continue to have problems those would be useful details.

I see Torsten suggested configuring to 'loop' instead of automatic.  That has long been the recommended config if you are connected directly to the HBA but that has changed and for newer systems 'fabric' or 'point-to-point' is the recommended connection.  If you haven't tried fixing the connection to one of those give that a try and report back.  Many systems/components have dropped FC loop support and it has been completely removed from the latest standards revisions.

[Torsten.]

I used the user manual

https://h20628.www2.hp.com/km-ext/kmcsdirect/emr_na-c04006690-8.pdf

Part Number: Q6Q62-00024a
Published: February 2018
Edition: 10

it says

Drives connected to a SAN
Leave the FC port at the default settings of Port Speed: Automatic and Port Type: Auto Detect. With these
settings, the tape drive will use the appropriate configuration.
Drives connected directly to the host
• For LTO-7 and later drives, use Loop mode.
• For LTO-6 and earlier drives, leave the FC port at the default settings of Port Speed: Automatic and Port
Type: Auto Detect. With these settings, the tape drive will use the appropriate configuration.

[Curtis_Ballard · Accepted solution]

The quoted text from the User's Manual has been identified as out of date and needing updated.  A revision to that is in process but it may not have been published yet.  The proposed text for the update was:

"For LTO-7 and LTO-8 drives, Port Type should be set to Fabric Mode in most cases. Some older FC host adapters may require this set to Loop Mode."

[MrJaffa]

Ha ha!

That did the trick. Setting it to Fabric.

FYI - LTO7 drive directly connected to the HBA on the server.

I was following the user guide that told me to set it to Loop, so yes, Fabric is the answer.

Thanks a bunch!