HSM Tape Library Storage Solutions

Version(s): Data Center Version 7.x, 8.x
Component(s): HSM
Last updated: November 19, 2007
Document number: 1828

This document provides an overview of HSM tape library storage solutions, guidelines for SCSI busses, and information on Removable Storage Manager (RSM) and Distributed AML Server (DAS).

If the Data Center uses a tape library, you must have numeric barcode tape labels, and a differential SCSI host adapter and cable available before you install HSM.

Caution: You must enable SCSI parity for the host adapter that you connect to the library and its tape drives. Otherwise, you could experience problems with unreadable tapes and data loss.

The number of tape drives you have depends on your tape library. The tape drives in the tape library are numbered in the order determined by the physical location of the drive in the library. For example, Drive 0 might be at the top of the library, followed by Drive 1, Drive 2, Drive 3, and so forth, as you move from the top to the bottom of the library. The specific numbering sequence varies according to the manufacturer. To determine the correct numbering sequence, refer to the documentation supplied with your tape library.

SCSI ID guidelines for a single SCSI bus

For the tape library and tape drives to function properly, you must connect them to the correct SCSI ports or SCSI busses. Use the following guidelines for SCSI IDs, which use a single SCSI bus:

SCSI bus guidelines for multiple SCSI busses

Use the following guidelines for SCSI busses and IDs, which use multiple SCSI busses:

• Connect tape drives to busses in consecutive order. For example, connect Drive 0 and Drive 1 to Bus 0; connect Drive 2, Drive 3, and Drive 4 to Bus 1.
• Do not connect drives to busses out of sequence. For instance, do not connect Drives 0, 2, and 4 to Bus 0 while connecting Drives 1, 3, and 5 to Bus 1.
• Connect higher drive numbers to higher Bus ID numbers.
• The Bus IDs and the SCSI IDs for each bus do not have to be consecutive.

The following table provides an example of setting up tape drives, SCSI bus numbers, and SCSI ID numbers.

In the Microsoft Windows Registry, you can verify and edit the SCSI mapping in the following registry key:

Caution: Editing the Windows Registry can render your server inoperable. Exercise extreme caution when editing the Registry. For assistance in editing the Windows Registry safely, contact Corporate Support.

Removable Storage Manager

The Removable Storage Manager (RSM) is a Windows Server component that is incompatible with the Data Center HSM service. Otherwise, RSM resets the SCSI IDs on the next reboot of the server and breaks the communication with the tape library. Therefore, you must disable RSM for specific storage devices.

To disable RSM for devices:

1. Right-click My Computer and click Manage.
2. In the left pane, expand the Removable Storage node.
3. Click the Physical Locations folder.

A list of tape libraries and drives appears in the right pane.

4. In the right pane, right-click a tape library or drive that HSM will use, and click Properties.
5. On the General tab, clear the Enable library check box.
6. Click OK.
7. Repeat steps 4 through 6 for each tape library and/or drive that HSM will use.

Distributed AML Server

If the Data Center uses Distributed AML Server (DAS) as an archive storage device, you must follow the instructions from the DAS vendor for proper installation and connection to the Data Center server(s). When you install the DAS, be sure to use enter the Data Center Server name which attaches to the DAS.

For information on configuring SCSI busses and IDs for the DAS, refer to the sections on SCSI ID guidelines earlier in this article.

To disable RSM for tape drives that the DAS uses refer to Removable Storage Manager in the previous section.